The relevant course and degree requirements for the Ph.D. and M.S. programs are summarized below. For more detailed information, please consult the Scientific Computation Graduate Student Handbook.
Doctoral Programs
Ph.D. with Supporting Program
Students selecting the supporting program option for the Ph.D. degree in Scientific Computation will be required to take a minimum of 48 credits consisting of 24 course credits and 24 thesis credits. Course credits must meet the following distribution requirements:
-
At least 12 credits in the Scientific Computation degree program core.
-
A supporting program of 12 credits. The supporting program should give the course program an interdisciplinary character.
Ph.D. with Minor
In addition to the 24 thesis credits, students selecting the minor option for the Ph.D. degree are expected to satisfy the Scientific Computation core requirement ( 12 credits) and to achieve a competency in the minor field greater than that expected for "supporting programs" -- in fact this is a mechanism for the student to establish a strong specialization in a traditional disciplinary area.
For the doctoral degree in Scientific Computation with a minor in another field, a minimum of 12 credits must be taken in the minor field. Many minor programs have greater requirements in terms of credits or examinations for a Ph.D. minor; in such cases the greater requirements will be in effect. The minor field must be declared before the student takes the preliminary oral examination.
A core course that happens to be in the designated minor area may be counted toward the core or the minor but not toward both.
Doctoral minor in Scientific Computation
The doctoral minor in Scientific Computation requires a minimum of 12 credits, including 6 credits in core courses. The remaining 6 credits may be taken in core courses or in fields that support computational science.
Courses used for the minor must be taken on the A/F grading scale. Credits may not be from courses in the student's major field.
Master's Program
M.S. with Minor
There is one type of master's degree offered in the Scientific Computation Program. It is the type commonly referred to as Plan A, and it requires the student to complete a thesis. For a Plan A master's degree, a program must include a minimum of 20 course credits and 10 thesis credits culminating in a satisfactory dissertation. Any student wishing to plan a master's program will be asked to consult with his or her adviser in determining an acceptable program.
A master's program must include a minimum of 6 credits from Scientific Computation core courses and a minimum of 6 credits in a designated minor. The remaining 8 credits may be taken in taken in core courses or in fields that support computational science.
Many minor programs have greater requirements in terms of credits for a master's minor; in such cases the greater requirements will be in effect. A core course that happens to be in the designated minor area may be counted toward the core or the minor but not toward both.
Master's minor in Scientific Computation
A master's minor in Scientific computation requires a minimum of 6 credits in core courses.
Courses used for the minor must be taken on the A/F grading scale. Credits may not be from courses in the student's major field.