In view of the pervasive roles that quantitative analysis and technology play throughout our society, a basic familiarity with the disciplines of mathematics and computer science has become an integral part of a liberal arts education. As a college for women, Mills recognizes the importance of encouraging women to study mathematics and computer science and of providing them with the high-quality instruction they need to succeed in these disciplines. Encouraging mathematical and computer literacy, along with hands-on experience with computer systems, is part of the College's continued effort to increase the analytical and technical competence of its women graduates.

Mills has an unusually distinguished record of pioneering in computer science, particularly for a liberal arts college. Between 1960 and 1974, the College progressed from a single course in computing with one professor and one student to a full-fledged computer science major. Mills was the first women's college to offer an undergraduate degree in computer science and to establish a Department of Mathematics and Computer Science.

Today, the major encompasses the core curriculum recommended by the Association for Computing Machinery. The major is designed to acquaint the student with fundamental concepts and problems in computer science and to prepare her for a career and/or graduate study in computer science and related fields. 

To declare a major in computer science, a student must have completed Discrete Mathematics I (MATH 004), Introduction to Computer Science (CS 063), Computer Concepts and Intermediate Programming (CS 064), and Data Structures and Algorithms (CS 124). The grade in each of these courses must be at least a B-. Some exceptions may be made upon the recommendation of the department. Students required to declare a major before completing these courses may provisionally declare the computer science major. The provisional declaration will be revoked if the student does not earn at least a B- in MATH 004, CS 063, CS 064, and CS 124.