<p>What type of undergraduate preparation would be best for a PhD and subsequent career in computational research in a science or engineering area? The goal is to create models of complex systems having deep domain knowledge of what is being modeled.</p>
<p>How do PhD programs with a computational focus view graduates with interdisciplinary computational backgrounds compared to those with traditional undergraduate science or engineering degrees? The kind of PhD program I'm thinking of could either be Computational Science, Computational Engineering, or a computational track in a traditional science/engineering program such as Chemistry or Chemical Engineering.</p>
<p>In particular, the following "Applied and Computational Math Sciences" undergrad major combines pure and applied math, CS, stats, and science/engineering coursework:</p>
<p>Calculus 1,2,3
CS 1 & 2 (Java programming)
Ordinary Differential Equations
Matrix Algebra with Applications
Applied Linear Algebra and Numerical Analysis
Discrete Modeling
Probability and Statistics
Continuous Modeling
Physics 1,2,3
Advanced Multivariable Calculus
Complex Analysis
Dynamic Systems and Chaos
Methods for Partial Differential Equations
two math/applied math/CS electives, such as scientific computing or numerical analysis
at least 11 credits of upper-division physical science or engineering in one dept</p>
<p>The above program appears to offer better preparation for computational research than a standard science/engineering major. It would be possible, for example to include all the theoretical coursework for a science or engineering major (e.g. Chem or ChemE) in the above degree, but not the labs. Are the undergrad Chem or ChemE labs relevant for a theoretical or computational PhD program in the corresponding discipline? </p>
<p>Is it generally better to just stick with a standard science/engineering degree, perhaps with an applied math minor, and pick up the additional math and computation classes at the graduate level?</p>
<p>If you want to work in computational science or engineering it is best to have a specific science or engineering degree for your B.S. and take additional computation courses. Mose modern science and engineering curricula include significant computation in their curricula already and it is a simple thing to add more formal computing on top of that using electives. It sounds like you don’t want to do much lab work but a good computational scientist/engineer really needs to understand the basis for their field and that includes labs. Another consideration is that if you want a degree in Computational Chemical Engineering for example (I am assuming a Ph.D. but M.S. is the same), you will need to be admitted to a Chemical Engineering Department and you will have to pass their comprehensive/qualifying examinations and have the course background they require. If you do not have a degree in Chemical Engineering, then you will be at a disadvantage for admission and will have to take a bunch of remedial coursework once you enter.</p>
<p>All that being said, the degree program you list is a reasonable alternative if you really don’t want a specific science or engineering degree. Make sure you take those 11 credits in such a way as to satisfy the entrance requirements for the kind of program you intend to apply to for graduate school.</p>
<p>Finally, just to put the amount of laboratory work in context, typically Chemistry is quite heavy on laboratories, Chemical engineering is as well. Materials Science and Engineering is a bit less and Physics tends to have fewer laboratories and more theoretical courses. You could do similar kinds of computational research in each of the four fields. Once you are doing research, you will find that the kinds of problems that computational researchers in these areas work on are very similar.</p>
<p>Part of what I was wondering about is the math deficiency in science and engineering BS programs, which generally require only differential equations and linear algebra, whereas computational science PhD programs hosted in math departments say they expect math preparation equivalent to a math major. Is it really better to use electives for computing courses, or is additional math preparation more important? I would think the computing could be picked up without formal coursework, for example during undergraduate research.</p>
<p>Physics and Chemical Engineering have plenty of mathematics in their curriculum, however it usually is in the major courses and more like applied mathematics. Additional Mathematics electives are often part of a Physics curriculum as well. It is probably a judgment call as to whether to take computing or additional mathematics courses.</p>
<p>@triseradad, chemistry or physics would be great. Just take some more applied math courses (PDEs for example). Material science could also be good. I worked with a theoretical physical chemist (as well as theoretical physicists) in undergrad on a project were we computationally found a “real” (possibly makeable) material with interesting properties related to a system that had been proposed theoretically.</p>