Micro-Certificate of Graduate Study in Scientific Computing

Program Overview

As science and engineering increasingly rely on simulations, data analysis, and modeling, understanding how to design efficient algorithms and use high-performance computing becomes critical. Scientific computing bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, enabling breakthroughs in fields like climate science, bioinformatics, physics, and engineering. Moreover, it fosters analytical thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration, making graduates valuable in both academia and industry where data-driven decision-making is key.

With the continuous improvement of computer speeds and wider availability of supercomputer clusters, many important problems in science and engineering can now be solved. But solving them requires a range of computing skills. The Micro-Certificate of Graduate Study in Scientific Computing (mCGS-SC) program will equip students with the tools and skills needed to solve complex real-world problems through computational methods. 

Students completing the program will acquire an in-depth knowledge of numerical methods for scientific computing, their implementations (including coding), and their applications to real-world problems in science and engineering. This foundation in the theoretical and practical skills of scientific computing, will better prepare graduate students for a wide range of job opportunities in the public sector, industry, and academia. 

Curriculum

This mCGS-SC requires a total of 9 credits (3 courses), which consist of 2 required core courses and 1 elective from a pre-approved list. Details are shown below. Students must maintain a 3.0 average in these courses to receive the mCGS-SC.

Required Core Courses (6 credits):

Electives (3 credits needed):

Admissions

Any current PhD, MS or Accelerated MS student at UVM may pursue this program to augment their degree. 

All existing UVM graduate students with a 3.0 or above GPA who have successfully completed the prerequisites for the two required certificate courses will be admitted into the program. These students need to enroll in the mCGS-SC no later than having finished their first course that will count toward the program. 

Outcomes

As a collection of tools, techniques, and theories, Scientific Computing involves methods for solving problems in linear algebra, interpolation, numerical differentiation and integration, and solution of ordinary and partial differential equations. There are a wide variety of such methods, as necessitated by the differences and challenges posed by the many different areas of application of scientific computation.

• OUTCOME 1: Acquire in-depth knowledge of scientific computing. By scientific computing we include the conceptualization, development and use of mathematical models in the solution to scientific and engineering problems.
• OUTCOME 2: Understand approaches for implementation of these scientific computing methods. Such understanding includes consideration of the translation of practical and theoretical problems into appropriate numerical statements. Such a translation includes the numerical approximation of differential and partial-differential equations and an understanding of the limitations inherent in such approximations.
• OUTCOME 3: Gain experience with application of scientific computing methods to real-world problems in science and engineering.  This experience can be achieved through the application of the above methods to problems of scientific and engineering importance. It can also be achieved through the development of computer codes codes (in MATLAB, Python, or other programming language of the student’s choice) that are applicable to such problems.