Maths 230 Β· 4 credits Β· NCCRS
Discrete Mathematics
Logic and proof, sets and functions, counting and probability, recurrences, graphs, trees and Boolean algebra.
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Math 2304 creditsNCCRS recommended
Discrete Math vs Discrete Structures: the same course?
Mostly, yes: Discrete Structures is the name many computer science departments use for discrete mathematics, and the ACM computing curriculum teaches these topics in courses called discrete structures or discrete mathematics. UPI Study does not offer a course named Discrete Structures; our Discrete Mathematics (Math 230) covers the core topics, from logic and proof to counting, graphs and trees, with an NCCRS recommendation for 4 semester hours.
The computer science name
Discrete Structures
Usually the computer science department's course; the math department's Discrete Mathematics covers overlapping topics.
Not offered under this name at UPI Study.
- Same course?
- Mostly: the topics overlap
- Not in Math 230
- Modular arithmetic, big-O
- Credit
- 4 semester hours (NCCRS)
What you learn
The core discrete mathematics topics in Computer Science Curricula 2023, against the Math 230 syllabus.
Covered in Math 230
- Sets, relations and functions
- Recursion and recurrences
- Counting and the pigeonhole principle
- Graphs and trees
- Discrete probability
- Boolean algebra
Partly covered
- Proof techniques: direct proof and induction
- Logic: propositions and truth tables
Not in our syllabus
- Modular arithmetic
- Order notation (big-O)
- Predicate logic
- Proof by contradiction
Side by side
| Course | Department | |
|---|---|---|
| University of Illinois | CS 173 Discrete Structures | Computer science |
| University of Illinois | MATH 213 Basic Discrete Mathematics | Mathematics |
| Oregon State University | CS 225 Discrete Structures in CS | Computer science |
| Georgia Tech | CS 2050 Intro to Discrete Math for CS | Computer science |
| Tarrant County College | MATH 2305 Discrete Mathematics | Mathematics |
| UPI Study | Math 230 Discrete Mathematics | Self-paced, online |
At Illinois the two courses overlap so much that "Credit is not given for both CS 173 and MATH 213."
Which should you take?
Math 230 is likely a fit if
- Your course is Discrete Mathematics or Discrete Structures
- Its description lists logic, sets, counting, graphs and trees
- Your college works with NCCRS credit recommendations
Ask your registrar first if
- Your course centers on number theory or modular arithmetic
- It includes big-O or the analysis of algorithms
- It goes deep into predicate logic
Questions, answered
Is Discrete Structures harder than Discrete Math?
Not by name: the two titles cover overlapping material. At the University of Illinois, the computer science course and the math course overlap so much that “Credit is not given for both CS 173 and MATH 213.” What makes one course harder is its depth and how much proof it asks for.
Is discrete math part of computer science?
Yes. The ACM and IEEE Computer Society curriculum guidelines make discrete structures part of the core of computer science, and the 2023 edition carries them on as Mathematical and Statistical Foundations. Check your own degree plan for the course it names.
How long does Math 230 take?
It is self-paced: finish as fast or as slow as you want. The syllabus lists 46 instructional hours across 13 chapters, and you can try free Discrete Mathematics lessons first.
How many credits is Discrete Mathematics?
NCCRS recommends 4 semester hours, lower or upper division, in Calculus among other subjects.
Which subjects can Discrete Mathematics count toward?
It can: its NCCRS recommendation lists Calculus or Mathematics. Your college decides which requirement it fills.
Can I start Discrete Mathematics without another course first?
None is listed: Discrete Mathematics starts from the beginning of the subject.
How is the Discrete Mathematics final exam set up?
100 multiple-choice questions, counting for 25% of the grade.
Which textbook does Discrete Mathematics use?
The syllabus lists Rachel Zax and Harry Lewis. Essential Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science, Princeton University Press, 2019 (optional), with other references.
Does Discrete Mathematics have an ACE recommendation?
No: it is not on the ACE list. It has an NCCRS recommendation for 4 semester hours in Calculus. Not being on the ACE list never means not recommended for credit.
What should I take after Discrete Mathematics?
Calculus 1. In the “Math for computer science” order on the Math courses page, it follows Discrete Mathematics. Your program may set its own order.
Can I see the Discrete Mathematics syllabus before I enroll?
Yes: the Discrete Mathematics syllabus opens after a free sign-in. It lists all 13 chapters, the grading and the credit recommendation, so you can send it to your registrar.
How do I send my Discrete Mathematics credit to my college?
UPI Study sends it for you. Once Discrete Mathematics shows 100% complete, request your official transcript ($20) at request.upistudy.org and enter your college's address; UPI Study emails it and you get a confirmation email.
Do colleges give credit for Discrete Mathematics?
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities. Search your school in Find My College and ask your registrar which course Math 230 would count as. It helps to name the subject: NCCRS recommends Discrete Mathematics in Calculus.
Where these credits can go
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.
Plus many more partner colleges and ACE and NCCRS cooperating colleges.
Find My College →Keep exploring
- Discrete Mathematics course pageLessons and syllabus
- Free Discrete Mathematics lessonsWatch before you enroll
Java vs PythonWhich programming course first
What comes after Calculus 3?More math
Check your college first
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.
Sources (9)
- ACM and IEEE Computer Society: Computer Science Curricula 2013 (the Discrete Structures area) https://www.acm.org/binaries/content/assets/education/cs2013_web_final.pdf
- ACM, IEEE Computer Society and AAAI: Computer Science Curricula 2023, Body of Knowledge https://csed.acm.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/3.1-Body-of-Knowledge-1.pdf
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: CS courses (CS 173 Discrete Structures) https://catalog.illinois.edu/courses-of-instruction/cs/
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: Math courses (MATH 213 Basic Discrete Mathematics) https://catalog.illinois.edu/courses-of-instruction/math/
- Oregon State University: CS courses (CS 225 Discrete Structures in Computer Science) https://catalog.oregonstate.edu/courses/cs/
- Georgia Tech: CS courses (CS 2050 Introduction to Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science) https://catalog.gatech.edu/courses-undergrad/cs/
- Tarrant County College: MATH 2305 Discrete Mathematics https://catalog.tccd.edu/courses/16136
- NCCRS: UPI Study, Inc. (every course and its credit recommendation) https://www.nationalccrs.org/organizations/upi-study-inc
- UPI Study: Discrete Mathematics syllabus (PDF) https://www.upistudy.com/syllabus/discrete-mathematics.pdf
- NCCRS: UPI Study's credit recommendations https://www.nationalccrs.org/organizations/upi-study-inc
UPI Study facts are from our course catalog, syllabi and course rules.