After completing a master's degree in computational science you will have achieved:
Knowledge
You have gained a deep knowledge of the scientific method and computational science at an advanced level, meaning that you:
- have theoretical and practical knowledge of a wide range of computational methods and mathematical algorithms, including principles for developing and generalizing such methods and algorithms
- understand how to apply computational methods to extract information from experimental data and solve scientific problems
- understand the limitations of numerical methods, including approximation errors, round-off errors and the constraints on the applicability of specific algorithms
You understand the possibilities and limits of computational modeling, meaning that you:
- can transform scientific problems into generic computational models and understand how various error sources influence the accuracy and reliability of the models and the computed results
- have an overview of advanced algorithms for solving a wide range of problems and how they can be accessed in available software
Skills
You have developed a practical mastery of computing, including the interplay between scientific problems and data, mathematical models, generic algorithms and reusable software, meaning that you:
- are able to analyze and visualize computed results and evaluate their relevance with respect to the underlying problems and/or hypotheses
- have a working understanding of high-performance computing elements including memory usage, vectorization and parallel algorithms, and related software tools like debuggers, test frameworks, scripts, and version control systems
- can program in high-level and compiled languages and make efficient use of a computer algebra system
- understand how to increase the efficiency of numerical algorithms and pertinent software
- and you are familiar with techniques for collaborative software development
General competence
You have developed a fundamental understanding and knowledge of scientific work and the scientific method, including ethical and societal limitations and possibilities. This means among other things that you:
- can develop hypotheses and suggest ways to test these using relevant analytical, experimental and numerical tools
- can reflect on and develop strategies and tools to make science reproducible and have a sound ethical approach to scientific problems
- you can communicate in a professional way scientific problems, results and uncertainties, orally and in written form
- you have developed a sound, scientific intuition and can reflect over and develop efficient and personal learning strategies
- you can work independently but also in close collaboration with others to complete a research project on time
By completing a Master's degree in Computational Science, you will have developed a critical understanding of the scientific methods which have been studied, have a better understanding of the scientific process per se as well as having developed perspectives for future work and how to verify and validate scientific results.