Program Overview

Computational Modeling and Simulation, PhD

Program Requirements

The Computational Modeling and Simulation PhD program requires students to satisfy the following requirements:

• Two courses (3 credits each) in Numerical Methods
• Two courses (3 credits each) in Scientific Computing/Programming
• Two courses (3 credits each) from a participating department outside Computer Science, Math, and Statistics, in the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences or the Swanson School of Engineering
• 12 credits in a concentration area in a participating department in the School of Arts and Sciences or in the Swanson School of Engineering
• Enrollment in the Computational Modeling and Simulation Seminar series for all fall and spring semesters in residence
• A minimum of 30 credits from categories I-IV are required, with possible overlap in courses satisfying requirement IV and those satisfying I, II, and III

Preliminary Exam

To satisfy the preliminary exam requirements, a student must pass (grade B or higher) the six courses in areas I-III. If a student receives one grade below B in one of the three main areas, they can counter that with a grade of B or above in an additional approved course in that area. If a student receives two grades below B, they will no longer be able to continue in the program. Students who do not meet these requirements but have an overall grade average of B or better have the option of doing a literature-based Master's thesis.

Proposal Presentation and Comprehensive Exam

The proposal presentation and comprehensive exam will be taken by the end of the student's seventh semester and will focus on the progress made to date on their research. It will consist of a written report/proposal prepared by the student on their research, followed by an oral comprehensive examination. The exam will be administered by the doctoral committee of four graduate faculty members, three of whom are affiliated with the CMS program and at least one of whom will be from outside the student's research department. The student may add external committee members from outside the graduate faculty. If a student does not pass the proposal presentation and comprehensive exam, they will have the option of continuing in the program for another semester and submitting a Master's thesis based on independent research.

Dissertation/Thesis Defense

Every graduate student must write and defend a thesis or dissertation before being awarded a MS or PhD degree. All theses and dissertations are submitted online.