in person
PhD in Computational Science
Created to meet the high demand for expertise in computational science, the PhD in Computational Science program equips students with advanced computational methods to enable scientific discovery across disciplinary boundaries. Students will undertake collaborative research with renowned faculty and regional partners such as Western University of Health Science and California State University Fullerton to address significant scientific and technological challenges across industry, government, and academia.
Offered by the Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMS) and Center for Information Systems & Technology (CISAT), the PhD in Computational Science program transforms students from ambitious learners to innovative problem solvers. With rigorous coursework, applied research opportunities, and access to mentorship from leading experts and partner institutions across Southern California, graduates will gain the skills and connections needed to excel in their careers and beyond.
Graduates of this program will be ready to develop computational methodologies and AI algorithms to solve interdisciplinary challenges in academia, industry, government, and research institutions. Common job titles may include Research Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, Quantitative Analyst, Software Engineer, Professor, Bioinformatics Scientist, Data Scientist, AI Research Scientist, Environment Modeler, Scientific Advisor, Technical Lead, Computational Scientist, and Consultant.
The PhD in Computational Science program is designed for:
The program is STEM designated, allowing international students who hold F-1 visas to apply for OPT work authorizations for a total of 36 months (an initial 1-year period and a 24-month OPT STEM extension) of paid work experience in the U.S. after graduation.
72 units
required units
PhD in Computational Science
degree awarded
In Person
modality
Spring, Summer, Fall
program start
3-5 years | full time*
estimated completion time
Professor of Mathematics
Research Interests
Probability, Statistics, Computing, Algorithms, Navigation, Systems Engineering, Mathematical Finance
Fletcher Jones Chair of Technology Design & Management
Research Interests
Design science research, Health informatics, Electronics and telecommunication engineering
Assistant Professor of Information Systems & Technology
Research Interests
Dynamics of social networks, Quantum Computing and Applications, Internet Privacy, ICT4D
Ellis Cumberbatch Professor of Mathematics
Program Director, PhD in Engineering & Computational Mathematics
Research Interests
Surfactant-driven thin film flows in biomedical applications; Nonlinear parabolic equations; Stability problems in fluid dynamics; Scientific computations; Applied operator theory; Sturm-Liouville problems
Associate Professor of Information Systems & Technology
Research Interests
Data science, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Health Informatics, Mobile Health, Data Management, Data warehousing, Business intelligence, ICT4D
Distinguished Research Professor of Mathematics
Research Interests
Approximation theory, Computational harmonic analysis, Machine learning, Signal processing
Professor of Mathematics
Research Interests
Fluid Dynamics, Mathematical Modeling, Scientific Computing
Adjunct Professor of Mathematics
Research Interests
Stochastic processes, Statistics, Risk management, Financial derivatives, Actuarial sciences, Statistical software
Research Associate Professor of Mathematics
Research Interests
Statistical inferences, Stochastic differential equations, Stochastic modeling, Simulation, Machine learning, Approximation theory, Graph theory
Joseph H. Pengilly Professor of Mathematics
Director, Institute of Mathematical Sciences
Research Interests
Discrete optimization; Network models; Statistical physics; Random combinatorial structures
Adjunct Professor of Mathematics
Research Interests
Probabilistic methods in computational biology, Statistical inference of genetic networks, Bioinformatics
Professor of Mathematics
Academic Director, Financial Engineering Program
Research Interests
Financial engineering, Credit risk, Stochastic analysis, Traffic models
Research Assistant Professor of Information Systems & Technology
Research Interests
Internet of Things, Mobile Computing, Computer Communications & Networks, Healthcare Systems, Artificial Intelligence, and Cyber Security
Pomona College
Research Interests
Noncommutative/quantum metric geometry, functional analysis, operator algebras
Harvey Mudd College
Research Interests
Combinatorics, game theory, operations research
Harvey Mudd College
Research Interests
Applied dynamical systems, fluid mechanics, self-similarity and scaling
Claremont McKenna College
Research Interests
Randomized algorithms, Markov chains, stochastic processes, discrete geometry, statistical physics
Harvey Mudd College
Research Interests
Partial differential equations, variational methods, inverse-function theorems, water waves (solitons)
Harvey Mudd College
Research Interests
Computational fluid dynamics, numerical linear algebra, mathematical biology
Pomona College
Research Interests
Computational topology, manifold learning
Scripps College
Research Interests
Mathematical biology, epidemiological modeling
Claremont McKenna College
Research Interests
Number theory, discrete geometry
Pomona College
Research Interests
Complex symmetric operators, operator theory, complex function theory
Pomona College
Research Interests
Algebraic geometry, number theory, representation theory
Harvey Mudd College
Research Interests
Differential geometry, Grassman manifolds
Harvey Mudd College
Research Interests
Mathematical data science, optimization, applied convex geometry
Pomona College
Research Interests
Model-based clustering, outlier detection, robust clustering, analysis of microarray data
Claremont McKenna College
Research Interests
Machine learning, high-dimensional probability, computational geometry
Harvey Mudd College
Research Interests
Nonlinear elliptic partial differential equations, fluid dynamics
Claremont McKenna College
Research Interests
Numerical analysis and scientific computing
Pomona College
Research Interests
Lie & Hopf algebras, quantum groups, Poisson-Lie structures, combinatorial representation theory
Claremont McKenna College
Research Interests
Computational biology, cophylogenetics, design and analysis of algorithms
Harvey Mudd College
Research Interests
Commutative algebra, homological algebra, representation theory
Harvey Mudd College
Research Interests
Operations research, applied probability, aviation security
Claremont McKenna College
Research Interests
Algebraic topology, knot theory
Harvey Mudd College
Research Interests
Combinatorial optimization, graph theory, algebraic geometry
Claremont McKenna College
Research Interests
Complex analysis and harmonic analysis
Harvey Mudd College
Research Interests
Harmonic analysis on finite groups, algebraic voting theory
Claremont McKenna College
Research Interests
High-performance computing, data science
Pomona College
Research Interests
Dynamical Systems, stochastic processes, applications of dynamical systems to instrument modeling, sound generation, and interactive composition
Keck Graduate Institute
Research Interests
Genomics, computational and systems biology
Pomona College
Research Interests
Nonlinear analysis, differential equations
Pomona College
Research Interests
Number theory and commutative algebra, p-adic formal group
Pomona College
Research Interests
Combinatorics, representation theory of finite groups
Keck Graduate Institute
Research Interests
Bioengineering, microfluidics
Harvey Mudd College
Research Interests
Geometric and topological combinatorics, game theory, mathematical economics
Scripps College
Research Interests
Arithmetic geometry, algebraic number theory, combinatorics
Harvey Mudd College
Research Interests
Spatial-temporal modeling of rainfall data
Claremont McKenna College
Research Interests
Low-dimensional topology, applications to molecular biology, data analysis, and quantum computation
Harvey Mudd College
Research Interests
Mathematics education, applied mathematics, perturbation theory, partial differential equations
Harvey Mudd College
Research Interests
Applied mathematics, mathematical modeling, complex systems, nonlinear dynamics, network theory, social systems, mathematical biology
General doctoral degree requirements at CGU may be found in the Doctoral Degree Regulations section of the CGU Bulletin.
Course requirements. 72 units of coursework are required to complete the doctoral degree. These units must include 4 units of transdisciplinary course(s), per university policy.
All other courses needed to satisfy the 24-unit mathematics requirement are electives, chosen in consultation with the student’s PhD advisor.
Residency. Students must fulfill the CGU residency requirement: at least two semesters of full-time study within a two-year period or 48 units within a three-year period. It is recommended that coursework be completed on a full-time basis; while part-time attendance is an option, degree requirements should be fulfilled within a seven-year time frame.
Satisfactory Academic Progress. The University’s policy on satisfactory academic progress applies. Students who do not maintain a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 are placed on academic probation. Students who remain on academic probation after taking an additional 8 units of coursework may be dismissed from the program.
Advising. Upon admission to the program, students are normally assigned a PhD research advisor, who may be from a collaborating institution. While PhD advisors do not need to have an academic appointment, they must themselves have a PhD.
Qualifying Examination. Students are normally required to pass an oral qualifying examination by the time of completing 48 units of coursework. The qualifying examination consists of a term research project supervised by the student’s PhD advisor. The student selects a PhD committee consisting of at least three faculty members, normally chaired by the advisor, with at least one member being from IMS and at least one member being from CISAT. The student prepares a written account of research work performed and its results, and then presents the work orally to the members of the PhD committee. Should a student fail the qualifying exam, one retake will be allowed.
Research Tools. The following two research tools, intended to help prepare students for independent research, are required:
Dissertation Proposal. This takes the form of a scientific grant proposal to a major funding agency, describing the research project on which the dissertation is based. The student prepares a public oral presentation of the proposal, followed by a private examination by the PhD committee. Upon successful completion of this presentation, the student will be recommended for advancement to candidacy for the PhD degree.
Dissertation Completion and Final Oral Examination. On completion of the research, the student prepares the dissertation in accordance with CGU regulations. The student presents the work in public and defends it at a final oral examination by the PhD committee.
University Requirements | |
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Application Fee | $80 (fee is non-refundable) |
Official Transcripts | Undergraduate/graduate Applicants must submit a sealed, official transcript from every undergraduate and graduate institution that has granted the applicant a degree. Electronic transcripts sent to admissions@cgu.edu are also accepted. For undergraduate coursework, applicants are required to submit proof of a completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Unofficial copies of transcripts are accepted for review purposes, but official copies will be required upon admission. Applicants currently earning a degree that will be completed prior to attending CGU are required to submit a transcript showing work in progress for evaluation purposes. Once the degree has been granted, a final official transcript documenting the degree conferred must be submitted to CGU. International applicants are advised to review the International Transcript Guidelines for additional information on submitting international transcripts. |
English Proficiency Exam | Required (international applicants only) A valid score on one of the following examinations TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson PTE, Duolingo English Test is required of all non-native English-speaking applicants. The examination is not required for the following applicants:
CGU’s school code for the TOEFL exam is 4053. International applicants are encouraged to visit our International Applicants page for more information, including score requirements. |
Resume | Applicants must submit an up-to-date copy of their resume. |
Program Requirements | |
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Statement of Purpose | Please submit a 2-3 page statement of purpose that details your academic and/or professional achievements, your specific areas of research interest within your desired field of study, why you are a strong candidate for graduate studies at CGU, and your career goals. |
Letter of Recommendation | 2 letters required When filling out the online application, please enter references acquainted with your potential for success who will submit a written recommendation on your behalf. In most academic departments, references from faculty members who can speak to your academic ability are preferred; applicants with substantial work experience may request professional references. Please do not enter family members as references. You will be required to input information for your recommenders (whether they are submitting online or not) in the “Recommendations” section of the online application. Please follow the directions in this section carefully before clicking on “Recommendation Provider List” to input the names and contact information for each recommender. You will have an opportunity to indicate if the reference writer will be submitting online. These reference writers will receive an email from CGU with instructions on submitting an online recommendation. Recommenders who are indicated as offline will not receive an email from CGU with instructions to submit. These reference writers can submit via traditional mail and should use the supplemental New Student Recommendation Form. Recommenders can also email their letter of recommendation to the Office of Admissions at admissions@cgu.edu. |
CGU operates on a priority deadline cycle. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit complete applications by the priority dates in order to assure maximum consideration for both admission and fellowships.
Once the priority deadlines have passed, the University will continue to review applications for qualified candidates on a competitive, space-available basis. The final deadlines listed are the last date the University can accept an application in order to allow sufficient time to complete the admissions, financial aid, and other enrollment processes.
Spring 2025
Priority Deadline – November 1, 2024
Final Deadline (International) – November 15, 2024
Final Deadline (Domestic) – December 1, 2024
Classes begin – January 21, 2025
Fall 2025
Priority Deadline – February 1, 2025
Final Deadline (International) – July 5, 2025
Final Deadline (Domestic) – August 1, 2025
Classes begin – August 25, 2025
Program | 72 units |
Tuition per unit* | $2,020 |
*Based on 2024-2025 tuition rates.
$245 Student Fee |
$150 Technology Fee |
International Student Services Fee*: $661 fall semester, $776 spring semester **Applies to all international students (F-1 visa only) who are registered in coursework, doctoral study, or continuous registration. The fee is assessed each fall and spring semester for annual ISO accident and sickness plans and administrative fees. Subject to change. |
For estimates of room & board, books, etc., please download CGU’s Cost of Attendance 2024-2025.
*Program completion times may vary depending on course registration, units transferred, and time to complete other degree requirements.