Scientific Computing is a multi-disciplinary program designed for science majors who wish to explore the application of computing within the natural sciences. It is intended primarily for students majoring in one of the natural sciences or engineering. The program of study brings together courses from Computer Science, Mathematics, and disciplines in the natural sciences. Each student takes the required core courses in computer science and calculus. After the core, two advanced-level courses selected from five options further hone quantitative skills needed for scientific computing. Students should work with their advisers to identify courses that are most appropriate for their backgrounds and goals. Finally, students bring their computation skills to their major by selecting one upper-level course from a list of approved disciplinary courses that make use of computation. Concurrent with this course, students enroll in SCOM-3199—Scientific Computing Project. Note: These disciplinary courses have several prerequisites that are not listed among the requirements for a minor in Scientific Computing—students majoring in a discipline among the natural sciences will have already fulfilled these prerequisites as part of their major.

Requirements for the minor

A minor in Scientific Computing will consist of a total of 19 to 20 credit hours, depending on the upper-level course selected in the major. The minor must include at least nine hours of upper-division courses in mathematics or science. The requirements for a minor in Scientific Computing are as follows: 

The Core (9 hours) 

I. Computation

Course ID Course Title
CSCI-1320 Principles of Algorithm Design
CSCI-2323 Scientific Computing 


II. Calculus

Course ID Course Title
MATH-1311 Calculus 1

III. Advanced Quantitative Skills (6 hours) Take two of the following five courses:

Course ID Course Title
CSCI-3352 Simulation Theory
MATH-3327 Probabilistic Models in Life Sciences
MATH 3320 Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists
MATH 3328 Mathematical Models in Life Sciences
MATH 3338 Mathematical Modeling 

IV. Disciplinary Practice (4-5 hours depending on the chosen elective)

A. SCOM 3199—Scientific Computing Project (Must be taken in conjunction with one of the courses listed below.)

B. And one of the following courses:

Course ID Course Title
BIOL-3420  Animal Behavior 
BIOL-3434 Ecology 
BIOL-3464 Molecular Biology 
CHEM-3334 Physical Chemistry (includes lab CHEM-3135
MATH-4394 Senior Project 
PHYS-3321  Statistical Physics and Thermodynamics 
PHYS-3322  Classical Mechanics and Nonlinear Dynamics 
PHYS-3325 Optical Physics 
PHYS-3336 Advanced Theoretical Physics 
PHYS-4343  Quantum Physics II 
PHYS-4346 Advanced Modern Physics 
PSYC-3311 Sensation and Perception 
PSYC-3431  Memory and Cognition 
PSYC-3333 Simulation of Neural and Cognitive Processes 

* This course requires completion of a 3000-level course in Biology or Psychology. 

How to apply


Students interested in a Scientific Computing minor will submit an application to the chair of the Committee, who will assign a faculty adviser to the student. Completion of this program will be indicated on the student’s transcript with the notation ”Minor in Scientific Computing.“ 

Contact Us


 Department Website


  Saber N. Elaydi, Ph.D. (Program Director)


 

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