Admissions

The Designated Emphasis in Computational Science and Engineering (DECSE) is a specialization applicable to existing doctoral programs at Berkeley, which we refer to as our Associated Programs. By combining high-performance computing, mathematical modeling, scientific and engineering theory, and analysis of large scale data bases of observations, Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) promises to bring a new paradigm to interdisciplinary research and education. Computation is now regarded as an essential third component of the scientific method, complementing the traditional methods of theory and experiment to advance scientific and engineering practice. Numerical simulation is sometimes the only feasible way to make progress if theory is intractable and experiments are too difficult, too expensive, too dangerous, or too slow. We seek exceptional students who either need to use computational tools to accomplish their research goals, or whose research involves the construction or analysis of the tools themselves. The goal of our program is to train future leaders in CSE, who will not only be experts in their chosen fields, but also conversant with important techniques, opportunities and limitations arising from the multiple disciplines underlying CSE. Participating students will benefit from leading-edge training in research techniques, working in interdisciplinary teams with research leaders across campus and at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and by getting a competitive edge for the most desirable jobs in academia and industry. Upon successful completion of all requirements and a dissertation, the transcript and diploma will read, "PhD in [Associated Program] with a Designated Emphasis in Computational Science and Engineering." To be accepted to the DECSE, students must be PhD candidates in one of our Associated Programs. We have listed them below with their corresponding application deadlines and contact information. For additional information, or to arrange to meet with DE faculty members, contact Program Administrator (Masoud Nikravesh, 298 Hearst Memorial
 Mining Building, 643-4522), or an Associated Program Graduate Advisor.

Application Procedure
Applications for admission are reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year; however students must apply prior to taking the qualifying examination and are strongly encouraged to begin the application process early in the third semester of graduate study. It is imperative that you indicate your interest in adding the DECSE to both the CSE Program Administrator and the staff advisor in your home department as early as possible to ensure your committees are properly constituted and that all of your forms have the appropriate signatures. Students interested in the DECSE who have already advanced beyond the Qualifying Exam should consult the Head Graduate Adviser.
To apply, please submit the following materials to the Program Administrator (Masoud Nikravesh, 298 Hearst Memorial Mining Building, 643-4522), or the Head Graduate Advisor (Andrew Packard, 5102 Etcheverry Hall, administrators Yawo Akpawu and Sheila Caguiat).

• Graduate Petition for Change of Major or Degree Goal
• Application for Admission to the Designated Emphasis in Computational Science and Engineering
• A recommendation letter from your advisor.  If your advisor is not a participating CSE faculty member, include an additional letter of recommendation from a sponsoring CSE faculty member.
• One-page statement about your background and reasons for applying to the Designated Emphasis in CSE.  Describe your short-term and long-term training and research plans at UC Berkeley, as they relate to CSE.
• Most recent copy of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts
• Your curriculum vitae

The application asks you to list the Graduate Group faculty member with whom you intend to work. You are strongly encouraged to meet with them before applying to the Designated Emphasis.

Examination Requirements

The requirement for inclusion of the Designated Emphasis in the qualifying examination will be satisfied by the designation of computational science or engineering (or both) as substantive areas of interrogation, the appointment of a member of the Designated Emphasis Group to the examination committee, and the signature of the Head Graduate Adviser for the DE on the Graduate Division form “Application for the Qualifying Examination.” The DE member may already represent either the home department of the student or another discipline as an “outside member.”

Dissertation Requirements

The dissertation shall involve research in the area of Computational Sciences and Engineering. At least one, and perhaps two, faculty members of the Designated Emphasis Group will serve on the dissertation committee and insure that the dissertation contributes to the interdisciplinary study of computational science and engineering in a significant way.

Impact on Normative Time

The requirements listed in the section on Curriculum do not necessarily require additional hours of coursework beyond those mandated in the PhD programs of those participating departments that already require 9 units in related courses outside the home department. 

However, these courses are challenging, and we expect that some students will need some additional preparation before being able to take these courses.  In particular, we envision that some students will need to take a preparatory undergraduate class, or will need to engage in preparatory independent study.