Computational Science (Second Major Only)

Computational methods are widely employed in science and engineering for simulation, experimentation, analysis, and design. In many areas the use of high-performance computing is essential. The Computational Science major provides Rose-Hulman students with the opportunity to add to their primary major a second major that increases their knowledge and skill in applied scientific and engineering computation.

Requirements for a Second Major in Computational Science (72 credit hours)

The second major in Computational Science is open to all students. It requires 72 credit hours, including a 52 credit hour core and a 20 credit hour specialization. The courses used to satisfy the requirements in the Advanced Core may not be counted toward any other major or minor. All Computational Science programs of study are subject to approval by the Chair of the Computational Science Steering Committee.


Computational Science Core (52 credit hours)

Fundamentals (31 credit hours)

MA 111
& MA 112
& MA 113		Calculus I
and Calculus II
and Calculus III		15
MA 221Matrix Algebra & Differential Equations I4
MA 222Matrix Algebra & Differential Equations II4
Select one of the following:4
CSSE 120
Introduction to Software Development
BE 100
Problem Solving in the Biological Sciences & Engineering
CE 111
Geographical Information Systems 1
CHE 110
Excel for Chemical Engineers 1
ENGD 120
Integrating Electrical, Software, and Societal Systems
ME 123
Computer Programming
Select one of the following:4
MA 332
Introduction to Computational Science
CHE 310
Numerical Methods for Chemical Engineers
ME 327
Numerical Methods of Engineering Analysis
Total Hours31
1

Courses marked with an asterisk carry only 2 credits and must be augmented by an additional 2 credits of course work, as approved by the Chair of the Computational Science Steering Committee.

Advanced (21 credit hours; these courses may not be counted toward any other major or minor)

CSSE/MA 335Introduction to Parallel Computing4
MA 336Boundary Value Problems4
MA 342
& MDS 442		Computational Modeling
and Applied Computational Modeling		6
MDS 442Applied Computational Modeling2
MA 435Finite Difference Methods4
or ME 422 Finite Elements for Engineering Applications
Total Hours20

Any course from the list of Approved Computational Science Electives (or another upper-level course if approved by the Chair of the Computational Science Steering Committee): 

BMTH 312Bioinformatics4
BMTH 413Computational Biology4
CHE 310Numerical Methods for Chemical Engineers4
CE 310Computer Applications in Civil Engineering2
CSSE 304Programming Language Concepts4
ECE 480/OE 437Introduction to Image Processing4
ECE 483DSP System Design4
MA 323Geometric Modeling4
MA 384Data Mining4
MA 433Numerical Analysis4
MA 434Topics In Numerical Analysis4
MA 435Finite Difference Methods4
MA 439Mathematical Methods of Image Processing4
MA 444Deterministic Models in Operations Research4
MA 446Combinatorial Optimization4
ME 422Finite Elements for Engineering Applications4
ME 427Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics4
ME 230Mechatronic Systems4
ME 522Advanced Finite Element Analysis4
ME 536Computational Intelligence in Control Engineering4
PH 540Computer Physics4

Area of Concentration (20 credit hours)

Each student must complete 20 credit hours of advanced work reflecting an Area of Concentration within Computational Science. Courses used to satisfy the core requirements may not be used to satisfy the area of concentration requirements.  The 20 credit hours shall consist of at least 16 credit hours within a single Area of Concentration, as specified below, and an additional 4 credit hours from any of the Areas of Concentration, or from the list of Approved Computational Science Electives.  Exceptions may be made on occasion (e.g. when an appropriate special topics course has been taken).

Computational Methods

MA 371Linear Algebra I4
or MA 373 Applied Linear Algebra for Engineers
MA 433Numerical Analysis4
Select eight credit hours from the following:8
BMTH 413
Computational Biology
CSSE 304
Programming Language Concepts
CSSE/MA 473
Design and Analysis of Algorithms
MA 384
Data Mining
MA 386
Statistical Programming
MA 434
Topics In Numerical Analysis
MA 435
Finite Difference Methods
MA 439
Mathematical Methods of Image Processing
MA 444
Deterministic Models in Operations Research
MA 446
Combinatorial Optimization
MA 485
Applied Linear Regression
ME 422
Finite Elements for Engineering Applications
Total Hours16

Computational Mechanics 

MA 435Finite Difference Methods4
or ME 422 Finite Elements for Engineering Applications
ME 401Foundations of Fluid Mechanics4
ME 427Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics4
ME 522Advanced Finite Element Analysis4
Total Hours16

Computational Signals and Image Processing 

ECE 380Discrete-Time Signals and Systems4
ECE 480/OE 437Introduction to Image Processing4
ECE 483DSP System Design4
MA 439Mathematical Methods of Image Processing4
Total Hours16

Computational Physics and Chemistry 

CHEM 361Physical Chemistry I 14
CHEM 362Physical Chemistry II 14
OE 450Laser Systems & Applications4
PH 540Computer Physics4
Total Hours16
1

For CHE students, CHEM 361 Physical Chemistry I and CHEM 362 Physical Chemistry II may be substituted by CHE 303 Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics, CHE 304 Multi-Component Thermodynamics and CHEM 360 Introduction to Physical Chemistry for Engineers

Computational Biomedics 

BE/MA 482Biostatistics4
BE/OE 535Biomedical Optics4
BE 541/ECE 584Medical Imaging Systems4
BMTH 310Mathematical Biology4
BMTH 413Computational Biology4
Total Hours20

Computational Science Program Student Learning Objectives

Graduates with a second major in CPLS will have an ability to:

  1. Develop goals for a computational model such that the results will inform a scientific/engineering decision or provide a desired level of understanding
  2. Choose a computational modelling approach that meets the goals and implement it
  3. Validate a computational model of a complex phenomenon or system and demonstrate that the goals have been met