Integration of computer simulation and visualization research into undergraduate degree programs

Faculty from several departments in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at IUP have engaged in interdisciplinary projects involving the simulation and visualization of neural networks and material science research. The existing Computer Science degree programs at IUP, however, contain no courses in computer simulation. It has been felt by all the researchers involved in the projects that a degree program focusing on computer simulation is needed to, among its other missions, cultivate students with sufficient knowledge and skills to participate in the projects. This paper starts with an analysis of the knowledge and skills required of the students, followed by identification of existing and new courses that may be taken to acquire the knowledge and skills. The paper concludes with a proposal to establish a degree program in computer simulation and visualization, and an approach in integrating the research projects with the proposed degree program.