The Certificate in Scientific Computation & Data Sciences is available to all undergraduates interested in the use of mathematical, statistical and computer-based techniques to investigate complex systems. Students must complete 18 semester hours of courses including an independent research project.
Overview
Computation is transforming the process of scientific discovery as an increasing number of scientific endeavors utilize significant computational resources. Predictions and hypothesis from traditional hypothesis driven science can now be assessed and substantiated with computation. These computational resources are also the major driving force behind the newer and complementary data-driven science.
This certificate program provides undergraduates with an opportunity to enrich their field of study, albeit biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, economics, or medicine with applied computation, ranging from the development of and analysis with algorithm, database, statistical or visualization code. This program is fulfilled with a series of computational classes, and culminated with an individual project that utilizes computation to address a scientific inquiry.
How to Sign Up
All current undergraduate students may sign up for the certificate at the following link:
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE CERTIFICATE
Course Requirements
Course requirements depend on which undergraduate catalog the certificate is being pursued under. Please note the minimum grade requirements specified at the top of each document:
2020-22 CERTIFICATE COURSE REQUIREMENTS
2018-20 CERTIFICATE COURSE REQUIREMENTS
2016-18 CERTIFICATE COURSE REQUIREMENTS
For course registration after Fall 2021, some course names have changed. See the changes here.
If a course that is listed on the requirements document for your catalog year does not show up on your degree audit, send an email (see contact information below) and we will correct it for you.
Note: All "Topics" courses must receive approval to be included in the certificate coursework. Please fill out the SC Certificate Course Petition Form for consideration.
Course Petitions
If you would like to petition a course that is not listed on the requirements document for your catalog year, fill out the:
SC Certificate Course Petition Form
In this form, you will be asked to provide a detailed syllabus of the course you are petitioning and a brief explantion for why it should fulfill a specific certificate requirement. Please read the following items carefully before submitting a course petition:
- Course petitions will only be considered for students currently enrolled in the certificate program.
- Petitions are considered on an individual basis. There is no formal or informal list of previously-approved courses.
- Run an Interactive Degree Audit (IDA) prior to submitting a petition to ensure that your course isn't already being recognized (some courses approved under other catalog years might already be counting towards your certificate!).
- Our faculty committee reviews course petitions once per month and there is a limit of one course petition per student for each review period.
- We will email you with the status of your petition (approved or denied) after the review is completed.
For extenuating circumstances (i.e. you are graduating and would like to petition two courses at once), send us an email (see contact information below) and we will consider your request.
RESEARCH PROJECT
The culminating requirement for the Certificate in Scientific Computation & Data Sciences is that you conduct original research and write a research paper on some aspect of scientific computation. The paper might present original work or discuss a new technique. This original project should clearly apply the tools and techniques of computation to a scientific discipline in the pursuit of new knowledge.
Please read through the following documents for a description of the research paper process and information on how to register for the SDS research course:
- RESEARCH PAPER PROCESS & REQUIREMENTS
- RESEARCH CONTRACT - must be recieved one week prior to the first class day the research will be conducted to be considered for approval. Once approved, we will register you in SDS 379R under your faculty supervisor.
Students completing their research project should use the official COVER PAGE TEMPLATE
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the requirements?
A: You will complete 18 semester hours, including a research project, as specified in the coursework guidelines. You must earn a letter grade of C- or better in all courses required for certification.
Q: How do I sign up?
A: CLICK HERE and log-in with your EID and password. Select Statistics and Data Sciences and then the certificate you want to apply to.
Q: How do I know my current progress towards the certificate’s requirements?
A: You can request an interactive degree audit at the following link: CLICK HERE
Q: What if a course I thought counted towards the certificate doesn't show up on my degree audit?
A: Contact us! Sometimes we have to send in a request for a manual override when certain approved courses fail to show up.
Q: What if I took a course that I want to petition to count towards the certificate?
A: Fill out the SC Certificate Course Petition Form for consideration by our faculty committee.
Q: Can Certificate courses also fulfill my degree requirements?
A: Some courses that are required by the certificate will also fulfill degree requirements established by a student's major department.
Q: Will the certificate appear on my transcript?
A: Yes, your official UT transcript will state that you completed the Undergraduate Certificate Program in Scientific Computation.
Contact and Office Hours
In-person office hours are suspended through the Spring 2021 semester.
Email us at stat.certificates@austin.utexas.edu with any questions about the certificate. Please include your UT EID in all correspondence.
