History of MPCS

The Department of Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science (MPCS) was initially established as a cluster under the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) in SY 1996-97.  The college has six degree programs namely the BS Applied Mathematics (BSAM), Diploma in Computer Science (DCS), BS Biology (BSBio), MS Environmental Science (MSES), MS Food Science (MSFS), AB Social Science (BASS) and AB English (BAE). 

In SY 1997-98, CAS was split into two colleges - the College of Science and Mathematics (CSM) and College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) with the latter handling the BASS and BAE programs while the former handles the other programs.

The College of Science and Mathematics has three academic units - the MPCS, Biology & Environmental Studies (BES), and Food Science and Chemistry (FSC) clusters.  MPCS cluster handled the offering of the BSAM and DCS programs while the BES cluster handled the BS Bio and MSES programs, and the FSC cluster handled the MSFS program.

In August 1998 University Council meeting, the proposal of the MPCS cluster to offer the BS Computer Science program was approved for implementation in UP Mindanao for school year 1999-2000.  With the introduction of the BSCS program, the cluster discontinued the offering of the DCS program since the UP Open University has also started offering the program in distant mode.

In March 2007, the department was awarded by the Commission on Higher Education as one of the Centers of Development in IT Education in the country.

 

Vision 

The vision of the department is to become the Center of Excellence in Mathematics and Computer Science in Mindanao region.

(Update:  MPCS has been awarded as Center of Development in IT Education by the Commission on Higher Education in March 2007)

 

Mission

Its missions are to a) produce highly competent graduates, b) develop disciplinary and applied computer science and mathematics researches, and c) share its expertise to the community by promoting, disseminating and applying new discoveries and knowledge

The department will continue to strive and establish its niche in the following areas – software engineering, bioinformatics, geo-informatics, modeling, optimization, web/internet technology, mobile computing, and data visualization to support the resource management, planning, production, processing and distribution specifically in food, marine and agricultural industries.