Web home of Caltech CSE


Computational
Science and
Engineering

Minor in
Computational Science and Engineering

Aims and Scope of the Minor

Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) may be pursued as a subject minor by graduate students who are pursuing Ph.D. degrees in any option. The CSE minor is intended to supplement one of Caltech's graduate degrees and is designed for students who wish to broaden their knowledge of CSE beyond their major field of study. The CSE minor is also intended to recognize graduate students' interest in and dedication to CSE as demonstrated by the successful completion of a program of study in the field. Completion of the CSE minor program of study will be recognized on the Ph.D. diploma by the statement: " [...] and by additional studies constituting a minor in Computational Science and Engineering". To receive the CSE minor, graduate students must take 18 units (two terms) from the classes listed below with a grey background , 18 units (two terms) from the classes listed below with a orange background, and 9 units (one term) from the classes listed below with a blue background:

Option(s) Class Title
ACM/EE 106 ab Introductory Methods of Computational Mathematics
ACM/CMS 113 Mathematical Optimization
ACM/CS 114 ab Parallel Algorithms for Scientific Applications
ACM/ESE 116 Probability Models
ACM/CMS 117 Probability and Random Processes
ACM/CS 157 Statistical Inference
ACM/CS 158 Mathematical Statistics
ACM 210ab Numerical Methods for PDEs
ACM 216 Markov Chains, Discrete Stochastic Processes and Applications
CS 115 Functional Programming
CS 138 abc Computer Algorithms
CMS/CS 139 Analysis and Design of Algorithms
CS/EE 143 Communication Networks
CS 150 Probability and Algorithms
CS/CNS/EE 155 Machine Learning Data Mining
CS/CNS/EE 156 a Learning Systems
CS 179 GPU Programming
Ae/AM/CE/ME 214 abc Computational Solid Mechanics
Ae/ACM/ME 232 ab Computational Fluid Dynamics
Ay 199 Special Topics in Astronomy and Astrophysics (eScience)
Ch 121 ab Atomic Level Simulations of Materials and Molecules
Ge 263 Computational Geophysics
Ph/CS 214 abc Quantum Computation

All courses to be applied toward the CSE minor requirements must be taken on a graded basis and students must obtain a grade of B or higher on all courses. Courses that are used to satisfy the CSE minor cannot be used to satisfy course requirements in the major options unless absolutely required by the option. Courses taken as part of the CSE minor are counted toward the total number of units required for the completion of the Ph.D. degree.

Note that a number of other (graduate or undergraduate) classes in the Caltech catalog can be of value to graduate students interested in broadening their knowledge. The table below gives a few examples:

Option(s) Class Title
ACM 256 & 257 Advanced Topics in ACM
CDS 270 Advanced Topics in Systems and Control
CS 24 Introduction to Computing Systems
CS 38 Algorithms
CS 121 Relational Databases
CS 151 Complexity Theory

CSE Minor Administration

The CSE minor is administered by an oversight committee consisting of:

    Peter Schröder (Chair)
Shaler Arthur Hanisch Professor of Computer Science and Applied and Computational Mathematics, EAS; ps@cms.
    Dan Meiron
Fletcher Jones Professor of Applied and Computational Mathematics, EAS; dim@acm.
    Michael Ortiz
Dotty and Dick Hayman Professor of Aeronautics and Mechanical Engineering, EAS; ortiz@aero.
    Mark Simons
John W. and Herberta M. Miles Professor of Geophysics, GPS; simons@gps.

These four faculty members report to the chair of the Engineering and Applied Science division. In consultation with the students' advisers and, if needed, with the CSE Oversight Committee, students formulate a program of approved courses individually tailored to each student's background and needs, with the objective that the student achieve a level of competence in specific subjects relevant to CSE. Students must petition the CSE Oversight Committee for approval of their program of study. Upon completion of the program of study, the CSE Oversight Committee will verify that the CSE minor requirements have been fulfilled.