Computational Science sits at the intersection of science, engineering, mathematics, and computer science. The best way to describe it is through examples: look through the CSGF magazines --- Deixis and Compose --- for descriptions of research written for a non-technical audience. In general terms, the people working in this field are using high-performance computers --- think a 100,000 or more CPUs! --- to simulate real systems taken from many disciplines (biology, earth science, material science, physics, chemistry, etc.). Researchers must understand the computer, the model (and so the real system), the solution algorithms, and the interactions between these three.
The CSGF is one of the most prestigious (and generous!) Federal programs for Ph.D. students in the sciences. Recipients of the Fellowship get the following benefits:
- $36,000 yearly stipend (money to live on!);
- Payment of all tuition and fees;
- Yearly conferences (they pay the travel and expenses);
- $5000 academic allowance the first year ($1000 each year after)
- 12-week research practicum at a DOE laboratory (again, travel and lodging are paid).
Because of its generous benefits, the competition for a CSGF is tough, but not as tough as one might think: for one thing, it is open only to US citizens and permanent residents, and there is currently a dearth of US citizens applying to study highly technical fields at the Ph.D. level. Furthermore, because most recipients apply during their first or second year of graduate school ("exceptional seniors" may also apply), it requires a bit of pre-planning which many students don't undertake (I worked in computational science in graduate school, but only heard of the program after I was in my third year, and so was ineligible!).
I would advise anyone who may be interested in the program to see me (Dr. Andrews) about this in their Junior or Senior years.
No comments:
Post a Comment