COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

Director of the Program: M. T. Heath

Correspondence Information: Computational Science and Engineering Program Office, 2262 Digital Computer Laboratory, MC-258, 1304 West Springfield Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801; (217) 333-0654

URL: www.cse.uiuc.edu

PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS

The College of Engineering sponsors the Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) program, but it is not limited to academic departments in the college. Several departments in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences participate in the CSE option program. For a current listing of the participating departments, see the CSE Web site.

GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS

Computation is now regarded as an equal and indispensable partner, along with theory and experiment, in the advance of scientific knowledge and engineering practice. Computational science and engineering is inherently interdisciplinary, requiring expertise in advanced computing technology as well as in one or more applied disciplines. The purpose of the CSE option at Illinois is to foster interdisciplinary, computationally oriented research among all fields of science and engineering, and to prepare students to work effectively in such an environment.

Students electing the CSE option become proficient in computing technology, including numerical computation and the practical use of advanced computer architectures, as well as in one or more applied disciplines. Such proficiency is gained, in part, through courses that are specially designed to reduce the usual barriers to interdisciplinary work. Thesis research by CSE students is expected to be computationally oriented and actively advised by faculty members from multiple departments.

CSE is a cooperative effort among the participating departments. Each participating department has its own specific requirements for the CSE option, but all are similar and share the common goals of the program. Details of the CSE option requirements are available from the graduate programs offices in the respective departments, from the CSE administrative office, or by accessing the CSE Web site.

ADMISSION

The CSE option does not independently admit students or confer graduate degrees. Students wishing to elect the CSE option must first be admitted to one of the participating departments. Registration forms for the CSE option can be obtained from the CSE office or Web site. Students electing the CSE option receive a graduate degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in their home departments.

courses

All CSE courses are cross-listed with one or more of the participating departments. CSE instruction includes both core and advanced courses. The core courses are designed to be accessible to students from many different disciplines. The advanced courses build on these, with a common focus on the use of computation.

FINANCIAL AID

Each year up to ten research assistantships are awarded by CSE to students enrolled in the program. These assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis. Proposals are solicited each spring for assistantships to begin the following fall. The proposed research must be interdisciplinary and computationally oriented, and the proposal must be submitted jointly by two CSE faculty members from different disciplines.