Passion for Mathematics versus its role in Computer Science

Question

I am about to start an undergraduate course in Computer Science at UCL this autumn. Since seventh grade i had this lasting passion for mathematics, and I still want to find out more than - let's say - basic highschool maths. I am curious if this course would satisfy my thirst for more advanced math, or if I - in the worst case - will have time to teach myself some of that, besides my regular courses.

How would you start going about it? Do you have any advice?

I do not wish to get answers like "You should have opted for a Mathematics course.". I have not explained the reasons for my choice, and I believe they are irrelevant in the context of the question. I wish you would not state the obvious, since if it was Math i had chosen, this very question would not have existed. Thank you.

Answer 1

Read through (and work many exercises in!) "Concrete Mathematics" by Graham, Knuth, and Patashkin. This is a wonderful book on discrete math with a slight slant toward matters applicable to computer science. It should definitely satisfy your thirst for more advanced math, and will come in handy if you ever have to consider analyzing algorithms. Plus it is fun (at least if you love math).

Knuth, BTW, is a BIG NAME in computer science.

Answer 2

During your CS degree, you will probably do three semesters of Calculus and one or two of Linear Algebra as well as some probability. You will learn some discrete mathematics; in particular, logic, propositional and predicate calculus, and most likely some combinatorics. However, you probably won't encounter any of: Real Analysis, Abstract Algebra, or Topology. These three areas are probably the main milestones of the undergraduate Math curriculum. You will probably have some electives though, so you'd most likely be able to take some of these if you are really interested in them. It's really hard to say at this point whether or not these would interest you.

Answer 3

You should talk to an advisor at your university. In a good computer science program it should be possible to take a lot of math courses, especially if you specialize in "theoretical" computer science.