Computational Science

The M.S. in Computer Science with a Computational Science concentration combines key elements of graduate study in Computer Science augmented with advanced coursework and projects in computationally focused scientific inquiries.  This concentration will prepare students to apply quantitative and computing methods to emerging challenges in the natural and physical sciences.

Students are required to take the following 4 core courses:

• CS 551: Systems Programming
• CS 581: High Performance Computing
• BIOS 506: Statistical Methods (4)
• MATH 515: Numerical Analysis I

In addition, students are required to take at least 3 concentration electives from:

• CS 526: Algorithms
• CS 534: Machine Learning
• CS 562: Advanced Computer Systems
• CS 563: Digital Image Processing
• CS 570: Data Mining
• CS 580: Operating Systems
• CS 584: Topics in Computer Science
• MATH 516: Numerical Analysis II
• MATH 533: Network Science
• BIOS 510: Probability Theory (4)

Students are required to choose one of the following options:

• Thesis:
  An acceptable masters thesis and oral defense (9 credit hours).
• Project:
  ​Completion of one approved elective course, and a faculty supervised project, formally taken by registering for CS598 (for up to 6 credit hours).  The project may be external as long as it is approved and co-advised by the faculty advisor. The project result may be in the form of a report or documented software.  Satisfactory completion of the project requires approval by the faculty advisor.
• Coursework:
  Completion of 9 additional electives hours.  Courses outside the department (e.g., from the sciences, schools of medicine and public health, or the business schools) may be taken if they coincide with the degree objective of the student.  Approval of electives will be by the Computer Science Committee.

Students may substitute at most one of the above electives with a relevant course from Mathematics, Computer Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Biomedical Informatics, the Rollins School of Public Health, School of Medicine, and appropriate schools at Georgia Tech through the ARCHE program.  When substituting courses, a student must obtain prior written approval from the thesis advisor and CSI/BMI DGS/program director(s). Students must complete their core courses with a grade of B or higher and complete all coursework by year two with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

• Transcripts: We will need copies of transcripts from each post-secondary institution you have attended, including your current one. They must be in English. and issued by the registrar's at your university. We do not  require official transcripts (issued by the registrar's at your university) as part of the application process, only if and when you are offered and accept admission.
• GRE scores: We will need your official GRE general exam score to be sent to us (institution code 5187). 
• Statement of purpose: Write candidly about why you want to pursue a Ph.D. in computer science and informatics, what kind of questions you have worked on in the past, what you intend to focus on in your studies and how you plan to use the research experience in your longer-term plan. 
• Curriculum Vitae: Provide a document listing relevant experiences and accomplishments, such as internships, awards and research experiences, that you believe will strengthen your application.
• Recommendation letters; We require three professionals with knowledge about your academic performance to write letters that evaluate your research potential and your teaching experience. Your application cannot be processed before we have received these letters.
• Application fee: The application fee is waived ($0) before October 31 (midnight PST). Starting November 1, the application fee is $75. 
• International applicants whose native language is not English must also complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Scholarships

In the M.S. programs, partial tuition scholarships are available on a competitive basis. There are no teaching assistantships available for those programs.