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• Master of Science

Master of Science

The M.S. program in Computational and Mathematical Engineering is very unique. In today's world of virtual research, "mathematical modeling" will be the key word. iCME leverages a deep background in mathematical modeling with exceptional breadth in traditional science and engineering fields. It is also an excellent preparation for future entry into a Ph.D. program at Stanford or elsewhere. Individual programs can be customized to enhance any area of physical sciences or traditional engineering fields.

The M.S. degree in Computational and Mathematical Engineering may be a terminal degree or a stepping stone to the Ph. D. program. Master's students who have maintained a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 are eligible to take the Ph.D. qualifying exam; those who pass this examination may transfers to the Ph.D. program after the first academic year and will be considered a second year Ph.D. student.

The master's program consists of 45 units of course work taken at Stanford, which usually takes between 4 and 6 quarters to complete. The core course requirements are identical to those for the Ph.D. program. No thesis is required; however, students may become involved in research projects during the master's program, particularly to explore an interest in continuing to the doctoral program. Although there is no specific background requirement, significant exposure to mathematics and engineering course work is necessary for successful completion of the program.

Requirements

A candidate is required to complete a program of 45 units of courses numbered 200 or above. At least, 36 of these must be graded units, passed with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) or better. Master's students interested in continuing to the doctoral program must maintain a 3.5 or better grade point average in the program.

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Requirement 1

The following courses may be needed as prerequisites for other courses in the program: MATH 41, 42, 51, 52, 53, 103, 113, 130, 220A; CS 106A, 106X, 108, 205, 229, 237B; ENGR 62; ME 346, 355A, 355B; MS&E 211, 310, 311, 312, 314, 315; STATS 116 or 202.

Requirement 2

Students must demonstrate breadth of knowledge in the field by completing the following six core courses:

Deviations from the core curriculum must be justified in writing and approved by the student's iCME adviser and the chair of the iCME curriculum committee. Courses that are waived may not be counted towards the master's degree.

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Requirement 3

12 units of electives in the eight application areas listed below must be completed. The elective course list represents automatically accepted electives within the program and the list is expanded on a continuing basis; the elective part of the iCME program is meant to be broad and inclusive of relevant courses of comparable rigor to iCME courses. Courses outside this list can be accepted as electives subject to approval of the student's iCME adviser and the chair of the iCME curriculum committee.

Requirement 4

9 units of focused graduate application electives, approved by iCME graduate adviser, in the areas of Engineering, Mathematics, and Physical, Biological, and other quantitative sciences.

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Requirement 5

3 units of iCME Colloquium (CME 500) or other approved seminar sequence.

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