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A Model for Increasing the Number of Undergraduates Acquiring Skills in Computational Science

Stephen U. Egarievwe, Janine A. Lafayette, Cathy R. Martin, W. Eugene Collins Informatics and Computational Science Laboratory Fisk University, Nashville, TN 37208

Abstract This paper presents a model that we have successfully used to increase the number of undergraduates that are acquiring skills in computational science. This model involves the exploration of computational science by freshmen, involvement of undergraduates in interdisciplinary computational science research, preparation of students for summer internships in computational science and related areas, and mentoring of students. The program has shown increase in the number of students that apply computational science skills in their major disciplines. It has led to increase in the number of students that are doing joint and double majors in Computer Science and other fields. Specific successes include the publications of several papers that involved undergraduate students, and participation of students in internships at National Laboratories (Oak Ridge National Lab, Sandia National Lab, and Office of Naval Research Lab in Washington, DC) and high-tech industries (including Oracle Corporation).

1. Introduction Computational Science plays an immense role in research and development in almost all disciplines, especially in mathematics, science, engineering and biomedical disciplines. However, most undergraduate curricula do not have adequate computational science programs that cut across disciplines. While computational skills are incorporated in several science and engineering courses, there is not enough emphasis on real-life applications and research. The major opportunities for the development and applications of computational science by undergraduates are summer research programs and senior projects. Except for discipline closely related to computer science, undergraduate students do not acquire enough computational science skills. In this paper, we present the steps we have taken to increase the number of undergraduates who acquire skills in computational science in a small historically black college, Fisk University. The motivation and objectives for the development of the computational science activities are:

1. Increase students’ understanding of computational science and how it could be applied to solve problems in their various disciplines. 2. Promote students’ enthusiasm and interest in computational science and encourage them to acquire and use computational science skills in their fields of studies and future career. 3. Train more undergraduates that are capable of proceeding to acquire professional and graduate degrees, as well as take a career, in computational science related fields.

Proceedings of the 2003 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2003, American Society for Engineering Education

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Egarievwe, S. (2003, June), A Model For Increasing The Number Of Undergraduates Acquiring Skills In Computational Science Paper presented at 2003 Annual Conference, Nashville, Tennessee. 10.18260/1-2--12162