Indiana University Bloomington

What you'll study

The Computational Science BSc combines courses in computer science, applied mathematics, and domain sciences to develop skills in modelling, simulation and data-driven analysis. Core topics typically include:

• Programming and software engineering: structured programming, object-oriented design, data structures and software development practices.
• Mathematics and numerical methods: calculus, linear algebra, differential equations and numerical analysis for solving continuous problems.
• Scientific computing: numerical linear algebra, computational methods for partial differential equations, error analysis and algorithmic performance.
• High-performance and parallel computing: fundamentals of parallel algorithms, use of multi-core and GPU architectures, performance profiling and optimisation.
• Data analysis and computational modelling: statistical methods, machine learning fundamentals, data visualisation and model validation.
• Domain electives: applied courses in physics, biology, chemistry, engineering or economics to apply computational methods to specific scientific problems.
• Capstone project or practicum: a substantial team or individual project emphasising modelling, code development and communication of results, often linked to research groups or industry partners.

Students follow a mixture of required core courses, restricted electives within computational science, and general education requirements. Laboratory and project-based coursework are emphasised to build practical skills in scientific programming and reproducible research.

Entry requirements

Admission is to Indiana University Bloomington and to the Luddy School/Departmental programmes; entry to the Computational Science major typically requires a strong secondary-school academic record with solid preparation in mathematics. Competitive applicants usually have completed courses in:

• Algebra, trigonometry and pre-calculus; calculus is strongly recommended
• A laboratory science such as physics, chemistry or biology
• Prior experience with programming is advantageous but not always mandatory

Applicants must submit official transcripts and meet the university’s general admissions criteria. International applicants will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency through accepted tests or qualifications. Specific departmental requirements, placement testing and recommended preparatory courses are available from the school’s advising office.

Career prospects

Graduates with a Computational Science degree are prepared for roles that require quantitative modelling, data analysis and software development skills. Common career paths include:

• Computational scientist or research analyst in academic, government or private research labs
• Data scientist, machine learning engineer or data analyst in technology, finance, healthcare and engineering sectors
• Software engineer with a focus on scientific applications or high-performance computing
• Quantitative analyst, simulation engineer or modelling specialist in industry
• Further study in graduate programmes (computational science, applied mathematics, computer science, engineering or domain sciences)

Internships, collaborative research opportunities and the capstone project help students build portfolios and professional experience valued by employers and graduate schools.

Why study at Indiana University Bloomington

Indiana University Bloomington offers an interdisciplinary environment that brings together computing, mathematics and domain science expertise. The Luddy School and affiliated research centres provide access to faculty working on computational modelling, data science and high-performance computing, as well as opportunities for undergraduate research.

Students benefit from hands-on training through laboratory courses, capstone projects and internships with academic and industry partners. The university maintains computing resources and research infrastructure to support large-scale simulation and data analysis, and Bloomington’s campus culture provides a balanced environment for academic and extracurricular development.