2022-2023 Graduate Catalog w/ November Addendum 
    
    Nov 24, 2024  
2022-2023 Graduate Catalog w/ November Addendum [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Computational Sciences, Ph.D.


The Computational Sciences Ph.D. program is a multi-disciplinary, collaborative, and innovative initiative that promotes conducting research in science and technology. The program curriculum is designed around the intellectual skills needed in the rapidly changing character of research in the field and its applications in natural sciences. In addition, the program aims to help make researchers more competitive for external research funds, foster the development of cross-disciplinary and interdisciplinary research and scholarship, and expand graduate student enrollment in our graduate programs, in compliance with Harrisburg University’s institutional mission statement and strategic plans.

Additional Requirement for Admission to the Ph.D. in Computational Sciences

The following is a requirement in addition to those that are part of the general doctoral admissions requirements:

  • Master’s degree in science or engineering disciplines with a strong background in applied mathematics, statistics, numerical analysis, simulation and modeling, and programming languages.

Mission Statement

The Ph.D. Computational Sciences Program is an academic, research-oriented graduate program that emphasizes multidisciplinary training in innovative research in computational components and systems of computer science and its applications in natural science disciplines. The program is intended for science and engineering students who need extensive use of large-scale computation, computational methods, or algorithms for advanced computer design architectures in their doctoral studies. A firm knowledge of scientific discipline method theory and practice is essential.

Program Goals

The Ph.D. Computational Sciences Program will produce graduates who:

  • Perform independent, competitive scientific research;
  • Utilization of the scientific method;
  • Realize computational solutions to real-world problems;
  • Make contributions to the discipline through disseminated results;
  • Adhere to the ethical and moral obligations in all professional activities; and,
  • Promote quality of life through local and global computing systems.

*Work experience is a requirement for successful applied learning during the full course of your degree program. If you are an F1 student, eligible CPT authorizations are required. If you are unable to work, you must submit a Waiver of Required Work Experience to your program lead.

Computational Sciences Requirements


The following courses comprise the 36 semester hours required for the Ph.D. in Computational Sciences. The semester hour value of each course appears in parentheses ( ). Additional details about Milestones can be found in the Ph.D. Guidebook on the Records and Registration SharePoint Site

Complete 9 semester hours from the following doctoral Breadth courses:


Complete 6 semester hours from the following doctoral Depth courses:


(A list of potential Computational Science Areas of Study is provided below)

Complete 3 semester hours of Research Symposium:


Complete 6 semester hours of Doctoral Research Seminar:


(specific to the area of research)

Complete 12 semester hours of Doctoral Dissertation:


Potential Computational Science Areas of Study


Topics may include, but are not limited to:

  • Automation of Intelligence
  • Blockchain and Digital Ledger Technologies I
  • Biology and Biotechnology
  • Chemistry and Biochemistry
  • Cybersecurity    
  • Computer Networks & High-Performance Data Transfer Protocols
  • Distributed Systems, Mobile, and Cloud Computing
  • Drug Discovery
  • Energy and Climate Sciences
  • Energy Engineering
  • Environmental Science
  • Forensics and Investigative Intelligence
  • High Frequency Trading, Contract Networks, and Complex Decision Making
  • Medical Devices and Healthcare Informatics
  • Microprocessors and Embedded Systems
  • Robotics and Autonomous Systems
  • Social Science
  • Systems and Software Standards