Scientific Computing, MSE
The MSE in Scientific Computing (SCMP) program at Penn provides multifaceted education in the fundamentals and applications of computational science. This education program provides a rigorous computational foundation for applications to a broad range of scientific disciplines. An education in SCMP combines a comprehensive set of core courses centered on numerical methods, algorithm development for high performance computational platforms, and the analysis of large data, and offers flexibility to specialize in different computational science application areas. Students may elect to pursue a thesis in computationally-oriented research within the School of Engineering and Applied Science.
We welcome applications from candidates who have a strong background in physical or theoretical sciences, engineering, math, or computer science. Some experience with computer programming is also strongly recommended.
For more information: https://pics.upenn.edu/masters-science-engineering-scientific-computing/
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2026 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | 2 | |
| Numerical Methods and Modeling | ||
| Big Data Analytics | ||
| Computational Mathematics | 1 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Advanced Linear Algebra | ||
| Ordinary Differential Equations | ||
| Mathematical Modeling in Physiology and Cell Biology | ||
| The Mathematics of Medical Imaging and Measurement | ||
| Numerical and Applied Analysis I | ||
| Fundamentals of Linear Algebra and Optimization | ||
| Numerical Methods for PDEs | ||
| Physical structure-preservation & advanced computational techniques for scientific machine learning | ||
| Elements of Probability Theory | ||
| Partial Differential Equations | ||
| Stochastic Processes | ||
| Stochastic Processes | ||
| Applied Bayesian Modeling | ||
| Convex Optimization for Statistics and Data Science | ||
| Machine Learning | 2 | |
| Select two of the following: | ||
| Applied Machine Learning | ||
| Machine Learning | ||
| Artificial Intelligence | ||
| Deep Learning for Data Science | ||
| Database and Information Systems | ||
| Advanced Topics in Machine Learning | ||
| Theory of Machine Learning | ||
| Data-driven Modeling and Probabilistic Scientific Computing | ||
| Graph Neural Networks | ||
| Machine Learning for Time-Series Data | ||
| Statistics for Data Science | ||
| Data Mining: Learning from Massive Datasets | ||
| Principles of Deep Learning | ||
| Deep Generative Models | ||
| Learning in Robotics | ||
| Machine Learning and Its Applications in Materials Science | ||
| Modern Data Mining | ||
| Applications in Natural Science 1 | 2 | |
| Select two of the following: | ||
| Brain-Computer Interfaces | ||
| Biomicrofluidics | ||
| Molecular Diagnostics for Precision Medicine | ||
| Musculoskeletal Biology and Bioengineering | ||
| Principles and Engineering of Cell Signaling | ||
| Techniques of Magnetic Resonance Imaging | ||
| Physics of Medical / Molecular Imaging | ||
| Molecular Biology and Genetics | ||
| Introduction to Computational Biology & Biological Modeling | ||
| Advanced Methods and Health Applications in Machine Learning | ||
| Natural Language Processing for Health | ||
| Principles of Genome Engineering | ||
| Protein Engineering & Practical Applications | ||
| Engineering Biotechnology | ||
| Advanced Chemical Kinetics and Reactor Design | ||
| Advanced Molecular Thermodynamics | ||
| GPU Programming and Architecture | ||
| Interactive Computer Graphics | ||
| Advanced Topics in Machine Perception | ||
| Quantum Circuits and Systems | ||
| Quantum Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Micro- and Nano-electromechanical Technologies | ||
| Networked Neuroscience | ||
| RoboRacer Autonomous Racing Cars | ||
| Physical Intelligence: Science and Systems | ||
| Advanced Climate and Big Data | ||
| Tribology | ||
| Failure Analysis of Engineering Materials | ||
| Fundamentals of Materials | ||
| Materials and Manufacturing for Mechanical Design | ||
| Design of Mechatronic Systems | ||
| Introduction to Robotics | ||
| Viscous Fluid Flow and Modern Applications | ||
| Turbulence | ||
| Performance, Stability and Control of UAVs | ||
| Aerodynamics | ||
| Transport Processes I | ||
| Electrochemistry for Energy, Nanofabrication and Sensing | ||
| Advanced Robotics | ||
| Advanced Fluid Mechanics | ||
| Advanced Topics in Thermal Fluid Science or Energy | ||
| Mechanical Properties of Macro/Nanoscale Materials | ||
| Electronic Properties of Materials | ||
| Statistical Mechanics | ||
| Transmission Electron Microscopy | ||
| Advanced Synchrotron and Electron Characterization of Materials | ||
| Particle Cosmology | ||
| Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics | ||
| Introduction to Cosmology | ||
| Thermodynamics | ||
| Master's Independent Study | ||
Any additional Methods and Simulations courses | ||
| OR 2 C.U. Master's Thesis | ||
| Master's Thesis | ||
| Methods and Simulations 3 | 2 | |
| Select two of the following: | ||
| Introduction to High-Performance Scientific Computing | ||
| Theoretical and Computational Neuroscience | ||
| Multiscale Modeling of Chemical and Biological Systems | ||
| Biomedical Image Analysis | ||
| Molecular Modeling and Simulations | ||
| Computational Science of Energy and Chemical Transformations | ||
| Introduction to Bioinformatics | ||
| Fundamentals of Computational Biology | ||
| Advanced Computer Graphics | ||
| Computer Animation | ||
| Machine Perception | ||
| Computer Vision & Computational Photography | ||
| Data-driven Modeling and Probabilistic Scientific Computing | ||
| Simulation Modeling and Analysis | ||
| Introduction to Optimization Theory | ||
| Modern Convex Optimization | ||
| Finite Element Analysis | ||
| Computational Mechanics | ||
| Atomic Modeling in Materials Science | ||
| Multiscale Modeling of Chemical and Biological Systems | ||
| Free Elective 2 | 1 | |
| Please speak with one of the advisors for free elective approval. | ||
| Total Course Units | 10 | |
- 1
All Methods and Simulations courses can count as Applications in Natural Science courses.
- 2
All Applications in Natural Science courses count as Free Elective courses.
- 3
Students cannot use Machine Learning courses or Applications in Natural Science courses to count toward the Methods and Simulations requirements.
Sample Plan of Study, Non-Thesis Option
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Course Units | |
| CIS 5450 | Big Data Analytics | 1 |
| 1 CU Computational Mathematics | 1 | |
| 1 CU Machine Learning | 1 | |
| Course Units | 3.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENM 5020 | Numerical Methods and Modeling | 1 |
| 1 CU Machine Learning | 1 | |
| 1 CU Methods and Simulations | 1 | |
| Course Units | 3.00 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| 1 CU Applications in Natural Science | 1 | |
| 1 CU Methods and Simulations | 1 | |
| 1 CU Free Elective | 1 | |
| Course Units | 3.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| 1 CU Applications in Natural Science | 1 | |
| Course Units | 1.00 | |
| Total Course Units | 10.00 | |
Sample Plan of Study, Thesis Option
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Course Units | |
| CIS 5450 | Big Data Analytics | 1 |
| 1 CU Computational Mathematics | 1 | |
| 1 CU Machine Learning | 1 | |
| Course Units | 3.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENM 5020 | Numerical Methods and Modeling | 1 |
| 1 CU Machine Learning | 1 | |
| 1 CU Methods and Simulations | 1 | |
| Course Units | 3.00 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| SCMP 9990 | Master's Thesis | 1 |
| 1 CU Methods and Simulations | 1 | |
| 1 CU Free Elective | 1 | |
| Course Units | 3.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| SCMP 9990 | Master's Thesis | 1 |
| Course Units | 1.00 | |
| Total Course Units | 10.00 | |