Ithaca's Department of Mathematics and Computer Science divided this fall, forming two separate departments after more than 20 years of combined operation. The two disciplines have shared a department since 1983, when Ithaca offered its first degree in computer science through the Department of Mathematics.

"It's a matter of growth and visibility," said associate professor Pat Woodworth, who chaired the joint departments and now takes the chair of computer science. "When I started here 25 years ago, computer science didn't really exist as a field. Today it's important that both disciplines have visibility with their own departments."

The transition will be nominal for Ithaca College faculty and students, as the disciplines have operated with independent structures for curriculum, faculty, and administration for several years. Though each discipline operated autonomously within the department, the two groups maintain a high level of cooperation."That won't change," said Jim Conklin, the joint department's former assistant chair, now chair of mathematics. "We are working on a number of joint programs and courses. This is a great opportunity for both programs to excel on their own."