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2008
MASTER'S PROGRAMME IN COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCES 120 ECTS credits
Aim/vision
Computational sciences is a multidisciplinary field which involves mathematical modelling, numerical solution techniques and the use of computers in solving and analyzing complex problems arising in natural sciences, engineering, economics etc. Computer simulations have become a key factor in the development of these areas and the International Master of Science programme "Computational sciences" at Linköping University is designed to educate a new generation of highly qualified students for this kind of profession.
The primary objective of this Master's Programme in Computational Sciences is to provide training in basic skills such as numerical methods, parallel computing, graphics and visualization, together with a chosen specialization in one of the following scientific disciplines: Computational Biosciences, Computational Mechanics, Computational Physics, Scientific Computing and Visualization. The programme cooperates efforts of strong research groups, high-performance computing resources at National Supercomputer Center (NSC) and strong links to institutional and industrial partners.
The programme is aimed for students with a Bachelor's degree as specified in the entrance requirements who would like to extend their knowledge in computing and mathematical modelling in the different field of modern science and technology. Graduates can expect employment in industry, business, academic institutions, and at major research and development laboratories.
Programme goals
- Knowledge and reasoning in mathematics, natural sciences and engineering
A Master of Science with a major in Applied Mathematics
- should be well-qualified in mathematics and its applications in scientific computing, physics, computational biology, computational mechanics and visualization- depending on the profile of competence
- should be able to formulate, to model and to solve the problems in physics, biology and mechanics using as a tool a variety of mathematical methods and computer software
- should be skilled in effective use of computers for the solution of the problems and visualization of results in different areas of science
- should be able to apply the theoretical background inherent in the programme to the specific problems arising in industry, business, academic institutions, and at major research and development laboratories.
- Personal and professional skills and attributes
A Master of Science with a major in Applied Mathematics
- should have the abilities to take a leading role in the modern research and engineering.
- should be able to formulate the model for the problem and critically evaluate its validity
- should be creative, initiative and responsible for their own contribution to the solution of problems
- should possess the ability for continuous enlarge of their knowledge and competence
- Interpersonal skills: teamwork and communication
A Master of Science with a major in Applied Mathematics
- should be capable of the teamwork and active collaboration within the group by sharing the tasks and responsibilities
- should be able to initialize, to plan, to carry out and to evaluate scientific and engineering projects
- should be able to communicate and to give presentations in English, orally and in writing
- Conceiving, designing, implementing, and operating systems in the enterprise and social context
A Master of Science with a major in Applied Mathematics
- should have a deep insight into the broad field of science and engineering: from the initial concept to implementations.
- should take care of impact of science and engineering on society.
Disposition of the Programme
The Programme structure includes two years of study. The first autumn semester gives an introduction to the field of computational sciences and provides the mathematical background of scientific computing. The following spring semester includes specific courses related to numerical methods and to the basis of programming techniques. This semester also includes courses focused on the topics of the four elective profiles:
- Computational Biosciences
- Computational Mechanics
- Computational Physics
- Scientific Computing and Visualization
The courses in the autumn semester of the second year are closely connected with research at the Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Biology and Chemistry, Mathematics, Science and Technology. Finally, to finish a 30 ECTS credits Master's Thesis in the major subject must be completed. One semester of full-time study corresponds to 30 ECTS credits.
Content of the Programme
The Programme contains four types of courses: mandatory, introductory, core, specialization's courses and elective courses. The introductory course is "Applied Scientific computing" with a total of 8 ECTS credits. Core courses correspond to 30 ECTS credits. The specialization's courses are divided by four different profiles:
- Computational Biosciences
- Computational Mechanics
- Computational Physics
- Scientific Computing and Visualization.
The final thesis corresponds to one semester of full time studies, i.e. 30 ECTS credits. The total number of course points, including the final thesis, has to reach 120 ECTS credits.
See the curriculum for course details.
Specializations
The programme includes the following profiles:
- Computational Biosciences
This profile includes bioinformatics, computational biology, system biology and a few related subjects. This research field is one of LiU priority field in life sciences technologies. It will have the increasing importance in relation with post-genomics phase of functional characterization of human genes and proteins including individual variations.
- Computational Mechanics
This profile concerns modelling and simulation within solid and fluid mechanics. In recent years computational mechanics has been extended to biomechanics and mechanobiology. Continuum mechanics has become an important subject in technical medical applications. The finite element method is the central method in computational mechanics and has many applications in electromagnetism, acoustics, chemical engineering etc.
- Computational Physics
Computational physics in this programme focuses on the properties of materials. The field is interdisciplinary with strong connection to chemistry, biology as well as electronics, material sciences etc. In this profile students will learn basis for numerical modelling in physics and use it for applications in quantum physics, mechanics, electromagnetism and statistical physics.
- Scientific Computing and Visualization
Computational problems in the different areas of computational sciences are so large and hard that they require the use of advanced mathematical and numerical methods. Graphical visualization is widely used to analyze the results of computation. This profile focuses on methods of visualization and algorithms.
Master's Thesis
The thesis should include high quality scientific research within the research area of the profile chosen by the students. This work could be performed either at Linköping university or at the home university. Master thesis can be performed within the following research areas:
- Applied Mathematics
- Applied Physics
- Applied Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics
- Biomedical Engineering
- Biomedical Modelling and Simulation
- Biotechnology
- Chemical Physics
- Computational Physics
- Computer Science
- Engineering Mechanics
- Fluid and Mechanical Engineering Systems
- Information Networks
- Information Theory
- Mathematical Statistics
- Medical Informatics
- Optimization
- Physics
- Scientific Computing
- Solid Mechanics
- Solid State Physics
- Theoretical Physics
- Visualization
PhD courses in the programme
Certain PhD courses can be taken by master students. Please contact the directors of graduate studies:
In order to include graduate course in the degree the student must apply to the Board of Studies
Requirements for a degree
The programme is designed to give the Master's Degree "Teknologie masterexamen i Tillämpad matematik" translated to "Master of Science (2 years) with a major in Applied Mathematics".
The requirements are the following:
- a Bachelor's degree as specified in the entrance requirements.
- course requirements for a total of 120 ECTS credits from courses from the curriculum for the programme or after special decision from the programme board and thesis work.
- passed the requirements for all compulsory courses.
- courses on advancement level A (advanced) 90 ECTS credits including:
- at least 30 ECTS credits courses from the major subject.
- a 30 ECTS credits Master's Thesis in the major subject.
- at least 45 ECTS credits from courses in mathematics or applications of mathematics from the Bachelor level (basic) or Master level (advanced), see list of specific courses.
- a Master's thesis presented and passed as per Linköping Institute of Technology degree regulations.
Courses overlapping each other regarding contents are not allowed to be included in the degree. Courses used for the Bachelor's degree can never be included in the Master's degree.
Entrance requirements
See general rules and regulations for master programmes at LiTH.
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