Programs Home
CSEM Program
People
Admissions
Courses
Ph.D. Requirements
M.S. Requirements Area A Area B Area C Forms & Links Postdoctoral Program Visitors Program Moncrief Programs CSE Certificate Program
Programs Home
CSEM Program
People
Admissions
Courses
Ph.D. Requirements
M.S. Requirements Area A Area B Area C Forms & Links Postdoctoral Program Visitors Program Moncrief Programs CSE Certificate ProgramEach student must develop a program of study in Computational Science, Engineering, and Mathematics (CSEM) that includes a substantial component from each of the three CSEM Concentration Areas. These areas are Applicable Mathematics (Area A), Numerical Analysis and Scientific Computation (Area B), and Mathematical Modeling and Applications (Area C). The student must demonstrate breadth and proficiency in each of the three Concentration Areas. Research for CSEM dissertations must demonstrate an interdisciplinary theme and draw on knowledge from the CSEM disciplines and each of the three Concentration Areas.
The Computational Science, Engineering, and Mathematics (CSEM) Ph.D. Graduate program of The University of Texas at Austin has two degree options, the Computational and Applied Mathematics (CAM) Option and the Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) Option. Upon entering the program, each student must elect an option. Transfer from one option to the other is permitted only by petition to and approval by the CSEM Graduate Studies Subcommittee (GSSC).
Every student is required to have a faculty dissertation advisor (or co-advisors), chosen from the CSEM Graduate Studies Committee. The student must select an advisor willing to supervise his or her dissertation and give advice on course work. A dissertation advisor need not be selected until the end of the:
Prior to the selection of a dissertation advisor, the Graduate Advisor will appoint a faculty mentor who, with the Graduate Advisor, will advise the student on his or her course work and progress in the program.
The student's overall cumulative grade point average must be 3.25 (B) or better. The student must satisfactorily complete requirements in the three CSEM concentration areas A, B, and C. These requirements include 12 hours of approved graduate level course work in each area taken for a grade. The student must achieve a grade point average of 3.25 (B) or better in those courses. Moreover, in one of Areas A, B, or C, the student must have achieved a grade point average of 3.5 (B+/A-) or better. The student must complete all required course work by the end of the seventh long semester.
During the first full academic year of the program, the student must complete basic functional analysis and one of a selection of additional courses. These courses include:
Continuum mathematics:
Operational mathematics:
Probability:
Discrete mathematics:
Moreover, the student must complete two additional courses (6 credit hours) of graduate level course work chosen from the list above or approved by the Area A subcommittee.
At least six credit hours of Area A course work must be earned in courses listed or cross-listed with the Mathematics Department.
During the first full academic year of the program, the student must complete basic numerical linear algebra:
Numerical analysis:
Numerical differential equations:
Algorithms:
Moreover, the student must complete two additional courses (6 credit hours) of graduate level course work chosen from the list above or approved by the Area B subcommittee.
Within the first two semesters of the program, the student must complete basic applications and modeling:
The student must satisfactorily complete 3 additional credit hours of area C course work by the end of the long semester of study. These 3 credit hours may be at the undergraduate level if it is deemed appropriate by the student's advisor and the Graduate Advisor.
The student must complete additional graduate level Area C course work to total 12 credit hours as approved by both their dissertation advisor and the Graduate Advisor in some application area consistent with the student's proposed research area.
At the end of the first full academic year, the student is required to demonstrate a graduate level proficiency in CSEM Areas A, B, and C by taking and passing a written preliminary exam in each area. The area A and B exams cover the subject material of the first year courses taken, and the Area C exam covers the material of the required basic applications and modeling courses. These exams will be administered by the Area A, Area B, and Area C subcommittees, respectively.
A student failing any of the preliminary exams will be required by the examining committee to do one of the following: (1) leave the program; (2) repeat that particular exam the following year; or (3) take a make-up exam within 4 weeks.
The student and dissertation advisor must recommend to the Graduate Advisor a dissertation committee to pose the qualifying exam and evaluate the dissertation. The dissertation committee must consist of the advisor and at least four additional faculty members. The committee must include at least one CSEM faculty member representing Area A, a second representing Area B, and a third representing Area C, not including the student's advisor.
Moreover, at least three of the committee members must represent distinct UT departments through positive time appointment. The Graduate Advisor must approve the composition of the committee.
Before the end of the seventh long semester, the student must propose research for their Ph.D. dissertation.
The student must write a concise abstract of the dissertation proposal. The abstract must address how each of the three CSEM Concentration Areas A, B, and C will be addressed in and form an integral part of the proposed research. Before the dissertation proposal presentation may be scheduled, this abstract must be submitted to the Graduate Advisor and approved by the GSSC, either by a no-protest vote or at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
The student must write his or her dissertation proposal and submit it to each member of the dissertation committee, and to the Graduate Advisor, who will make it publicly available. The goals of the proposal are to:
Approximately two weeks past submission of the dissertation proposal, the student is required to present and obtain acceptance of the dissertation proposal and pass a qualifying examination. The presentation is to be announced publicly to CSEM faculty and students and within the Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences (ICES).
The first portion, the presentation of about 45 minutes in length, is open to the general public. The second portion is the examination and it is restricted to the student's qualifying examination committee. This committee consists of the dissertation committee, minus the student's advisor (or primary advisor, in the case of co-advisors), and one additional representative chosen by the GSSC. The exam will test the depth and breadth of the student's knowledge relevant to the proposed research, including material in areas A, B, and C and supporting material. The questions shall be weighted to reflect the appropriate CAM/CSE Option. For this exam, somewhat greater depth and breadth will be expected in:
The dissertation proposal and exam performance is satisfactory if the student's qualifying examination committee, plus the advisor, agree with at most one dissenting vote that the student developed a sufficiently rich, original and interdisciplinary research program and demonstrated competence to complete the proposed research.
In the event of a failing performance, the examining committee is charged with explaining to the student the reasons that his or her performance was not satisfactory and the improvements that are needed. The committee may require additional course work and/or another presentation. A follow-up examination must be taken within one year. The student may not fail the follow-up exam and continue in the program.
Following passage of the Qualifying Examination, the student must prepare and submit a Graduate School application for candidacy.
A student failing to satisfy the requirements of the program in a timely manner will be put on probation by the GSSC, and his or her progress will be monitored closely. The student will stay on probation until satisfactory progress is achieved. A student may stay on probation for a maximum of two long semesters. A student who has been on probation for a total of two long semesters and is found to be not in compliance with the timely requirements of the program will not be allowed to continue in the program.
The student may appeal to or petition the CSEM GSSC for waiver or alteration of any CSEM requirement, except for waiver of an exam or waiver of a Graduate School degree requirement.
Written appeals or petitions should be submitted to the GSSC through either the Graduate Advisor or the CSEM Chair.
Effective November 1, 2001.
Downloadable copies: