Computational Science and Engineering (with Thesis)

Entry requirements

Applicants should have completed their bachelor's degree by the time they will begin their Masters.

Months of entry

August

Course content

The Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) master’s program, led by faculty from Computer Science, Applied Math, and the Engineering Sciences, provides rigorous training in the mathematical and computational foundations of CSE.

CSE is an exciting and rapidly evolving field that exploits the power of computation as an approach to major challenges at the frontiers of natural and social science and all engineering fields. Sitting at the intersection of Computer Science and Applied Math, the master’s program offers students experience with mathematical techniques for modeling and simulation of complex systems; parallel programming and collaborative software development; and methods for organizing, exploring, visualizing, processing and analyzing very large data sets.

Students interested in the CSE program can choose to apply to either the Master of Science (SM) or Master of Engineering (ME) degree. Students take 8 courses to complete the SM degree. The degree can be completed in 2 semesters (one academic year), although many students choose to extend to a third semester to take additional courses and to allow themselves time to pursue a summer internship in industry. To earn the ME degree, students will spend four semesters (two academic years) on campus, spending a year on a master’s thesis research project after completing the same set of 8 courses required for the SM.

Fees and funding

British citizens who are – or will be – graduates of British universities should check out both Kennedy Scholarships and Frank Knox Fellowships.

Both of these awards offer full tuition and health insurance coverage and a generous stipend towards living expenses. They are offered annually in competition.

Please note that you will need to submit your application to either or both awards ahead of the deadline for your Harvard application. Kennedy Scholarship and Frank Knox Fellowship applications are to be made online via their websites between mid-August and late-October in the same application season as you will submit your application to Harvard. Awards made at interview in London in January are provisional, pending confirmation of a place on the course.