Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Computational Science

What is computational science?

At its heart, computational science is about applications, applying computer technology to improve understanding about the world around us to help make better decisions and lead to new discoveries.

Computational science, in simplest terms, is using computers to model and investigate both real and virtual situations that represent something of interest. The name computational science originates from the use of computers (hence the term computational) and application of the scientific method (science) to learn more about that area of personal interest. From collision detection in the latest realistic computer games, to analyzing data on diseases, to models used to predict tomorrow's weather, all count on computational science in unique ways to move things forward.

Do I have to be a scientist to do computational science?

To many, science immediately brings up images of individuals in lab coats, working tirelessly to make that great breakthrough or find that new discovery.

In reality, science is really more of an approach to learning. An approach to learning that involves using creativity and intuition to propose an explanation of how something behaves, to define an approach to check that explanation, to observe whether the tests of the explanation hold true, and to learn from the outcomes. Something we all do as we go about learning about the world around us.

So, to answer the question, no, one does not need to be a scientist to do computational science. One must only approach a problem of interest scientifically, using a familiar, intuitive method of learning.

What about math? Do I have to be good in math?

We all use math everyday. Whether recognizing spatial relationships while driving, filling the tank with fuel, or even as one manages a personal budget, we all use math on a daily basis.

Computational science uses math concepts to help translate the idea that we want to learn more about into a form the computer can work with. The skill really needed and developed is the ability to understand relationships in an area of interest and use available mathematical expressions to define these relationships. The level of mathematical expertise required really depends on the complexity and detail of the system being investigated.

Amazingly, some very complex behaviors actually use very simple mathematics to express the basic relationships. Ultimately, it is the large quantity of defined relationships that leads to the observed complexity, not the underlying mathematics. Fortunately, computers are very good at evaluating large numbers of calculations quickly and accurately, so the individual student can focus on creative ways to express the idea in terms the computer can understand, leaving the computer to do the repetitive work.

What are some examples of computational science?

Computational science is everywhere. Most commonly associated with areas of chemistry, physics, geology, biology and economics, computational science shapes the world around us.

In chemistry, computational science is used to help explain behavior at the molecular level, leading to new materials with applications in renewable energy, new drugs for treating diseases, and new substances with improved heat management properties, and even models to predict impacts of nanoscale particles.

In physics, computational science is used to understand airflow around wings in airplanes, to identify new fuel-efficient body styles for cars, to track objects in orbit around the earth, around the sun and in galaxies far away. Computational science is also used to design new electronics, forecast weather conditions and severe storms, to investigate wireless radiation, to understand photovoltaics essential to solar energy, and search for new methods of transportation.

In geology, computational science is at the center when it comes to searching for new sources of fossil fuels buried beneath the surface of the earth. With seismic processing and computational science, new sources of oil and gas are being located across the globe. Models are used to understand earthquakes and the movements leading to seismic events.

In biology and medicine, computational science has found a new area of great challenges. With applications in understanding the behavior of living organisms at all scales, to predicting the likelihood for individuals to be infected, afflicted or affected by disease, computational science is essential to advances in these areas. Whether decoding the genome of new bacteria, identifying potential cures for pediatric cancer, using the latest advances in telemedicine, or assessing the impact on wildlife of urban expansion, all employ computational science.

In economics and finance, computational science is an essential tool used to make decisions affecting our daily lives. In using models and projections, decision makers at the Federal Reserve look to computational science to forecast the impact of raising or lowering interest rates. On Wall Street, money managers use models to assess the performance of companies and determine risks and returns associated with different investment strategies.

Computational science is quite pervasive, appearing in areas that are many times unexpected. Practically anywhere there is a microprocessor, computational science is close by.

In agriculture, computational science is used to determine the right amount of fertilizer to apply on particular portions of a field in order to maximize production.

In personal finance, computational science is used to build projections for personal investments, personal loans, and ultimately planning for retirement after a successful career.

In realistic computer games, computational science is used not only to know when objects collide, but increasingly to add enhance the experience visually and with sound.

In animation, computational science is looked to for added realism, portraying the behaviors of objects using increasingly complex and true-to-life models.

In transportation, computational science is used to help achieve maximum engine efficiency by monitoring and adjusting engine performance based on driving conditions and fuel combinations.

In the environment, computational science is used to develop models of how water collects and flows in watersheds and riverbeds, helping to forecast and alleviate flooding.

Why is computational science a good career choice?

Computational science is a good career choice for two key reasons.

First, the pervasiveness of computers in today's society is tremendous. Computational science provides the opportunity to gain experience not only with information technology, but with the applications where computers are employed. The experience of using computers to connect to solve problems will be in demand for years to come.

Second, the world is becoming more technically oriented and flooded with information. Experience using a disciplined method to understand, predict and confirm an idea will continue to pay dividends throughout a professional career. Whether working side-by-side with leading scientists or simply by working with technology, the appreciation of how things are done in science and technology applications will be a distinct advantage in nearly every career.

How does computational science at Wittenberg prepare me for my career?

There are many ways in which computational science at Wittenberg prepares a student for a successful career.

Instruction in computational science at Wittenberg is first rate. An early pioneer in the education and application of computational science, Wittenberg is always in the forefront when it comes to computational science. Small class sizes and instructors with commercial and industry experience mean each student has the opportunity to excel with personalized attention to better develop their personal interests and passions.

The focus on experiential (or hands-on) learning is a cornerstone of professional preparation in computational science at Wittenberg University. Students are afforded opportunities at nationally recognized companies, organizations, and research facilities for internships in areas that span the spectrum of computational science applications. Whether conducting research on new materials for nearby Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, helping investigate causes and cures of pediatric disease at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, designing new techniques for drug discovery at Leadscope Inc., helping design new medical devices for Future Path Medical, exploring applications of satellite and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) image processing at Qbase right in Springfield, the opportunities abound nationally and increasingly internationally for students in computational science.

The Wittenberg preparation in liberal arts and sciences provides breadth across disciplines where computational science will continue to influence into the future. The solid foundation in the liberal arts prepares the individual student for working across cultures, joining approaches, and bringing about effective solutions to the most challenging problems. Not only will a student attending Wittenberg be prepared to contribute in their area of personal pursuit, graduates of interdisciplinary education are frequently sought to lead and help set the course for the future.

Don't I need to attend a big school to have a good career in computational science?

Today, the choice of a school has much more to do with what best fits the student interests and desires for a learning environment than technical facilities. Wittenberg emphasizes hands-on experience with industry-level technologies, systems and software in computational science. This hands-on emphasis is embodied in the presence of powerful workstations, a parallel computing cluster, multiple electron microscopes, computational laboratories in chemistry and physics equipped with Spartan modeling software, and campus licenses for software products such as Mathematica and SciFinder. Through a combination of local licenses, local computing resources and internet access to major facilities at the Ohio Supercomputer Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and Oak Ridge National Lab, our students are able to experience problem-solving environments across scales for computational science.

Wittenberg emphasizes the education of the student as an individual, working to connect each student with the opportunities in the classroom and in the field that will best develop their individual potential. With an extensive network of faculty and alumni connections, Wittenberg students have no problem getting a start on their career after graduation.

I'm interested in arts and humanities, so how could computational science help me?

Computational science is perhaps better defined today as computational arts and sciences. The pervasiveness of computer applications across disciplines in music, in theatre, in languages, in art and other forms of communication has provided a unifying aspect to the liberal arts and sciences education at Wittenberg. Today, students are involved in innovative new programs where these traditionally distinct pillars of a liberal arts education are first coming together in the age of technology. Much like students in the traditional sciences, a computational science concentration or minor will provide the student a unique and sought after set of skills that will open doors to new and exciting opportunities across the arts and humanities.