Why study Computational Science?

Computational science uses computation in order to advance knowledge in fields ranging from physics to medicine to the social sciences and humanities. Computational science is not computer science or mathematics but it draws on the tools both of these disciplines provide in order to solve problems in other fields. 

In physics, computation has been referred to a third branch of physics, complimenting both experiment and theory. Chemists use computational science to understanding chemical bonding on the atomic level as well as to work out the structure of viruses such as HIV. 

Computational science plays a major role in modern industry. Modern airliners would not be possible with out detailed simulations of wing designs and the stresses on the airframe. Pharmaceutical companies use computational science to help speed up the discovery of new drugs. Tire manufacturers use computational science to design tires and to model how tires wear. 

In medicine computational science is used to help decipher the human genome. In the humanities computational science is used for linguistic studies and for projects such as reassembling the Thera frescoes where computer algorithms are being developed to help match fragments of the frescoes (see http://gfx.cs.princeton.edu/proj/thera/ for details).

Career Possibilities

Computational scientists have a wide range of career options in industry, academia and the government. Studying computational science is an excellent way to increase your value on the job market.

Major Maps

• Guide: Certificate in Computational Science

Advising

Contact the program director, whose name and information appear at the top of this screen.

UC Advantages and Special Opportunities

Students in the UC College of Arts and Sciences enjoy many benefits afforded through study at a research-intensive institution ranked among the nation's top 25 public research universities. UC's urban, Tristate location offers exciting opportunities for global education, research and service learning, while its student-centered focus includes an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, a nationally recognized Center for Exploratory Studies and a highly successful First Year Experience program that teaches critical skills for first-year students and provides connections with important campus resources.

Special Programs

 The University of Cincinnati is one of the original members of the consortium of schools that make up the Ralph Regula School of Computational Science. This virtual school allows students to take courses not only at their home institution but also at other Ohio colleges and universities that are members of the consortium. Upon completion of the Ralph Regula curriculum students earn a board of regents certificate in computational science. The Ralph Regula minor/certificate in computational science is described in detail at http://rrscs.org/baccalaureate.

 The University of Cincinnati has ties to the Ohio Supercomputer Center (OSC) and students have opportunities to run code on a supercomputer at OSC. In addition there are opportunities for collaboration with the Genomics Institute and the Computational Medicine group at Children Hospital.

Admission Requirements

Students already pursuing a degree in any college at UC can add the certificate to their program. Be sure to submit a declaration of the certificate program using our online form.

In addition, you must meet with the program director so that they are aware that you are pursuing the certificate and can advise you appropriately. Do this early enough to avoid delay in obtaining your certificate.

Students not currently pursuing a degree may declare the certificate after establishing non-matriculated status.

Graduation Requirements

Make sure that you have declared the certificate program online. Next, make sure that the certificate program director is aware of when you are finishing the program. If you are pursuing another bachelor's degree, your certificate will be reviewed at the time that you submit your separate degree application.

Accreditation