{\noindent {\bf V. CURRICULUM}}

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The objective of the Computational Science and Information
Technology program is to provide students with an environment in
which they can develop skills necessary to seamlessly blend
computational science, information technology and mathematical
techniques with a specialized discipline.  It is becoming
increasingly clear that these tools will serve as the backbone
leading to major advances in all fields of research.  To achieve
this objective, an alliance of several departments from the
College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Engineering has
been established to sponsor and staff an inter-departmental,
interdisciplinary, graduate degree program in computational
science and information technology.

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The term "Computational Science and Information Technology" is
used to represent an interdisciplinary field comprising a specific
scientific or other discipline, applied mathematics (including
numerical mathematics), and computing science. {\bf ???? Definition
of Information Technology}
The applied mathematical aspect emphasizes mathematical modeling
of the physical world and the discretized version thereof, whereas
the computing science aspect emphasized the development of
software and hardware systems and tools (including libraries,
environments, protocols, and devices).  Until recently, these
disciplines evolved in isolation without consideration of each
other's requirements and opportunities. In order to effectively
harness the resources made available by the fast-paced evolution
of computer software and hardware, a close-knit coupling of the
disciplines is required.  The CSIT Program seeks to produce
researchers capable of such integration through a curriculum that
includes the disciplines of computing science, applied
mathematics, and an engineering or science speciality.

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This objective is achieved through complementary requirements:
students from computer science or mathematics will approximately
one-third of their total course load in an engineering or
scientific discipline outside their department, while engineering
or science students will carry approximately one-third of their
total course load in computer science or mathematics.  In
addition, certain core CSIT courses will be required of all CSIT
degree candidates.  These courses are designed to provide a common
knowledge base for the wide variety of students expected in the
program and to emphasize the interdisciplinary aspect of the
program.

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{\it Alternative Version of the Above Paragraph}

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{\it  The objective of the CSIT
curriculum is two-fold: one, to build upon the individual strengths of the
students and two, to provide students with a cohesive, but broadly-based
graduate education in high performance computing and information technology
as applied to science and engineering.  Students are expected to enter
the CSIT Program with a variety of undergraduate backgrounds.  Consequently,
the program provides for two tracks: one for students from computer science
or mathematics, the other for students from an engineering or
scientific discipline.  These tracks are have considerable overlap, but
provide the flexibility to build upon the student's strengths.}

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{\it To achieve this objective the CSIT curriculum will provide
provide students with the opportunity to explore some topics in
detail, while at the same time achieve breadth.  This is
accomplished through courses and activities that establish a core
foundation in CSIT, establish graduate level competency in an
application area, provide in depth exploration of several tracks
and integrate contemporary research results and techniques.
Consequently students will take courses from CSIT core courses,
their application area, from several CSIT tracks and from additional
advanced graduate courses.}

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{\it End of Alternative Version}

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{\noindent {\bf A. Sequence of Courses and Credit Hours for Every Degree Option}}

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The Ph.D. degree is intended to be completed in approximately five years
of full time effort.  The recommended course work for the Ph.D. is 45
graduate hours.

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The M.S. degree is intended to be completed in two years of full time
effort.  The required course work, including six (6) hours of thesis,
is 30 graduate hours.

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{\noindent {\bf Recommended Programs of Study}}

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The CSIT program offers four core courses which are designed to
emphasize the multidisciplinary nature of CSIT and provide
students with the foundations for further study.  Every CSIT student
is required to master at least three (3) of these courses.  These
courses are Foundations of Computational Science I and II, and
Foundations of Applied Information Technology I and II.  The
CSIT program also includes a number of intermediate and advanced
CSIT courses which are designed to provide CSIT students with
sufficient depth and breadth to build a common body of knowledge
in CSIT and the courses in affiliated departments which are designed to
provide the depth and breadth required in application areas.

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Students entering CSIT are expected to have a wide range of interests.
The recommended program of study includes at least 15 courses.
Approximately one-half of these courses will come from CSIT
core and advanced courses and the others will come from
courses in application areas.  In some cases students may have
engaged in prior graduate work that will enable them to master
the material without taking the courses.  Whether all of the
courses have been taken or not, students will be expected to
demonstrate mastery of the material in the core CSIT and advanced
courses and in their application area(s) on the preliminary exam.

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In addition to the three (3) CSIT core courses, students will be
advised to master at least six (6) courses from the graduate
courses offered in an affiliated department, and three (4) CSIT
intermediate courses.  In addition, they will be
advised to take at least two (2) courses from the approved list
of CSIT advanced courses.  Students are also expected to attend
graduate introductory research seminars and colloquia
in CSIT and their application areas when available.  Though there
are no other specific course requirements, students will be
encouraged to take other courses in CSIT and
in application areas.  The specific program of study for students
in this program will be determined by the student's Advisory
Committee in consultation with the student.  This committee is
charged with ensuring that the student achieves sufficient depth
and breadth in their program of study and that the specific mix
of CSIT and application area courses reinforce each other and the
student's research area.  The initial list of CSIT
advanced and affiliated courses are provided in section V.C. of
this document.

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A MS degree in CSIT will not be required for the Ph.D. degree.  Before
a student can be admitted to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree, the student must:
1) pass the written portion of the preliminary exam on the
material in the CSIT core courses and on the material in their
CSIT advanced courses, 2) write a tentative prospectus of a
research topic suitable for a Ph.D. dissertation and 3) students
must also passed the preliminary exam in an
application area at the Master's level, or have a master's degree
in an application area.  No less than one week after the
prospectus has been submitted the student must,
and 4) pass the oral portion of the preliminary exam to be
given by the student's graduate advisory committee.

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{\noindent {\bf B.  120 hour Maximum for Undergraduates}}

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This is a graduate program and not subject to the 120 hour
maximum for undergraduates.

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{\noindent {\bf D. Prerequisites}}

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This is multidisciplinary graduate program and consequently does not require
a particular degree as a prerequisite.  The ideal background of potential students
would include an undergraduate major in mathematics, computer
science, science or engineering combined with some training in the areas not
a part of their major.  Few students are likely to meet this standard.
Consequently, the program intends to develop courses and activities which
normally would occur in the summer before the student begins the
CSIT core courses for assisting highly qualified students who
lack some of this breadth in their undergraduate program of study.
This plan is critical to the success of this program.

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Departments affiliated with the CSIT program grant Ph.D.'s in
their own disciplines.  With this proposals students will
be accepted into either the M.S. or the Ph.D. program in CSIT who meet the
admission requirements of CSIT and an affiliated department.

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{\noindent {\bf E. Limited Access Status}}

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This program in not applying for Limited Access status.

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