Program of Study

The program of study (POS) ensures fellows have sufficient academic breadth to succeed in computational science. Many alumni say the POS provided a vital, broad foundation for their research.

The POS must provide a solid background in a scientific or engineering discipline, plus computer science and applied mathematics. Fellows' major fields must fall into one of these categories but they also must attain high marks in the other two to demonstrate that their POS has sufficient breadth. A course that introduces the concept of high-performance computing is also required and may be taken from any department with a preference given to those in computer science.

Two courses (semester system) or three courses (quarter system) are required for each POS discipline area, with the exception of just one course required within the high-performance computing section.

Students and their advisors explicitly commit to completing the POS before the start of the fellowship’s third year. Fellows who begin their doctoral studies coincident with this fellowship award are excepted; they have three years to complete their POS but must complete at least one course in each disciplinary area within the fellowship’s first two years.

Note: Once fellows are accepted, the program’s advisory committee must approve POS changes in advance.

Sample Program of Study - Semester System