Master's Programme in Computational Science

You can choose to follow one of the five recommended study tracks or you can set up your own track with support from the student counsellor. The courses will then depend on your individual choices. At least 30 credits of the courses you choose must be in the field of computational science and at least 30 credits must be in one of the following fields: chemistry, biology, physics, geoscience, computer science or mathematics.

The five different study tracks consist of a package of preselected courses that give you a specialisation in the specific field. These are:

• Numerical and mathematical modelling: You will get knowledge about how different mathematical models work and how you can compute the solutions with numerical methods.
• Computational physics: Teaches you how to apply computational methods to problems in physics and at the same time you will focus on some area of physics, e.g., fluid dynamics.
• Computational chemistry: Here you will get knowledge about how to apply computational methods for mathematical models in chemistry. At the same time, you will focus on some area of chemistry, e.g., molecular dynamics.
• Computational finance: Learn about how to apply computational methods in financial mathematics and simultaneously deepen your knowledge in financial modelling, e.g., in the stock and options market.
• Distributed and high-performance computing: You will learn about computational challenges related to scientific applications, the architecture of different computational infrastructures (HPC clusters, clouds and bare-metal resources) and the design and development of large-scale software solutions using both CPUs and GPUs.

Each track has a recommended set of courses. However, the exact content in each track depends on your specific background with previous courses and experience and is put together in dialogue with the student counsellor.

Courses within the programme

See the programme outline for courses within the programme.

The instruction consists of lectures, group work, project work and assignments. All classes are student-centred and puts a large emphasis on building up practical skills that are directly useful in your coming profession. For group work, you will complete them together with your classmates outside the classroom. This way, you learn from each other and train to be a team player.

In addition to the thesis work carried out throughout the final semester, a broader project course is included in the programme. In this project course, you apply skills in computational science to a problem originating in academia or industry, while the course provides training in project work and management.

The instruction is in English and conducted in close connection with current research.

The interdisciplinary content of the programme provides you with unique skills in high demand in the labour market. There is an increasing need for qualified manpower that can combine scientific knowledge with mathematical modelling, programming of advanced computer systems, large-scale data analysis and proficiencies in using modern computational scientific tools. The demand for qualified professionals with such a combination of knowledge is expected to increase in both Sweden and abroad.

Your professional career may be in scientific or technical research and development, as a scientific or technical advisor, consultant or project leader. The programme also prepares you for PhD studies in for example computational science, physics, bioscience, and mathematics.

Computers are used to study problems within sectors where experiments are expensive or impossible to perform or where systems are so complicated that simplified assistance models are insufficient. The use of tools based on computer calculations and simulations is currently increasing substantially within companies of different sizes and within many different sectors. Many important examples can be found within the environmental and energy industry.

Computer simulations can be performed within many areas such as weather forecasts, design of pharmaceuticals, car crash simulations, development of new aircraft, or studies of climate change. They play a central role in increased understanding and product development within these areas, as well as in determining performance and other qualities for processes and products or to optimise design and quality.

Our former students work at, for example:

• Klarna (senior software engineer)
• Cyber security company (team leader)
• Calabrio (web developer)

Career support

During your time as a student, UU Careers offers support and guidance. You have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities and events that will prepare you for your future career.