Certificate in Scientific Computation - Curriculum 283

Program Officer

LCDR Brannon Chapman

Code EC/MA, Spanagel Hall, Room 401A

(831)656-2678, DSN 756-2859

Fax (831)656-2760 (ECE)

bwchapma@nps.edu

Academic Associate

Frank Giraldo, Ph.D.

Code MA, Spanagel Hall, Room240B

(831) 656-2293, DSN 756-2293

fxgirald@nps.edu

Brief Overview

The Scientific Computation academic certificate provides education in the use of mathematical analysis and numerical solution techniques to model science and engineering problems on computers. Scientific Computation has become the third pillar of scientific research, a peer with traditional methods of physical experimentation and theoretical investigation, and as such has emerged as an area critical to the success of the mission of the Navy and the Department of Defense. High performance computers are already widely used in weather prediction, modeling ocean dynamics, design and testing of advanced weapons systems, development of new smart materials, etc. And it has become very clear that even more broad application of scientific computation will be essential to accelerate scientific discovery for national competitiveness and global security.

A thorough understanding of the mathematics underlying the algorithms is essential for the correct interpretation and further development of computational approaches in science. The Scientific Computation certificate program is designed to provide that very background. It is comprised of four courses – the first two of these are fundamental and the other two are selected from a group of nine courses that allows the certificate to be tailored to a specific area of interest. Upon successful completion of the coursework, students will be awarded a certificate of accomplishment in keeping with standard practices of the Naval Postgraduate School.

Requirements for Entry

Prospective students must meet the necessary prerequisites for the courses in the program.

Convenes

Program entry dates are flexible and students who wish to pursue this certificate should coordinate with the program manager.

Program Length

Variable.

Graduate Certificate Requirements

To earn the academic certificate students must pass all four courses with a C+ (2.3 Quality Point Rating (QPR)) or better in each course and an overall QPR of 3.0 or better. Students earning grades below these standards will need to retake the courses to bring their grades within standards or they will be withdrawn from the program.

Required Courses

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
MA3046Matrix Analysis

4

1

MA3232Numerical Analysis

4

0

And any two from

Course NumberTitleCreditsLecture HoursLab Hours
MA4237Advanced Topics in Numerical Analysis

V

0

MA4242Numerical Solution of Ordinary Differential Equations

4

0

MA4243Numerical Solution of Partial Differential Equations

3

1

MA4245Mathematical Foundations of Galerkin Methods

4

0

MA4248Computational Linear Algebra

4

1

MA4261Distributed Scientific Computing

4

0

MA4311Calculus of Variations

4

0

MA4377Asymptotic and Perturbation Methods I

4

0

MA4620Theory of Dynamical Systems

4

0