Welcome to the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at Chicago State University. Hopefully, you have an interest in pursuing mathematics or computer science as a field of study at CSU. Let me encourage you to follow through on this interest. Both fields are very exciting and have great career futures.

As a mathematics major, you could become a high school math teacher, for which there are a lot of job openings. You could become an actuary, which is a mathematician who works for an insurance company computing risks, premiums, and so on; this is a very well-paying field. Also, the federal and state governments are always in need of statisticians.As a computer science major, there are many, many high-paying positions in the Chicago area. Recent CSU computer science graduates have gotten jobs at Lucent Technologies, Allstate, Siemens, among others. There is a severe shortage of information technology workers in the state, and you would have no trouble getting a nice job at a very good salary.

There is a catch: Both mathematics and computer science are hard. (If they were easy fields, there would be no shortage, and the salaries would not be so high.) If you major in these fields at CSU (or any other university), you will have to work and study very diligently. You can do it, and we can help you all along the way.

If you are up for the challenge, let me urge you to come to CSU. Apply as soon as possible. Once accepted, take your placement tests as soon as possible. See a math or computer science advisor as soon as possible. Visit the campus and tour the computer labs and other facilities. Think technology.

If you have any questions about CSU's mathematics and/or computer science program, do not hesitate to call me at 773-995-2102.

Good luck.
Howard A. Silver, Ph.D., Chairperson