The CDT in Computational Methods for Materials Science (CMMS) is a four-year postgraduate programme. It combines the one-year MPhil in Scientific Computing with a three-year PhD in a participating department:
- Department of Physics
- Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy
- Department of Chemistry
- Department of Engineering
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics
- Department of Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics
Programme structure
The first year of the programme consists of the one-year taught Master’s course in Scientific Computing, which is based at the Department of Physics but serves the training needs of the School of Physical Sciences and Technology.
Students who successfully pass the Master’s course, will then proceed to a three-year PhD programme in one of the participating departments. Students who graduate the Master’s with a Distinction (75% or more) will be guaranteed entry to the second part of the programme. If they graduate with a Pass (60%-74%), the decision on whether to let the student progress to a PhD will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
At the end of the CDT CMMS programme, successful graduates will hold two separate degrees: a Master’s in Scientific Computing, and a PhD.
Applying for the CDT CMMS programme
Applications for this programme are made through the University’s admissions portal, accessible through the Postgraduate Study website. Further general information about postgraduate admissions, funding and international applications is also available from the same website.
In the application form, CDT CMMS candidates should state their preferred choice of research area (this does not have to be highly specific) so that their application can be forwarded to appropriate supervisors for consideration. Candidates may approach a potential supervisor to discuss potential projects before applying. If you have a specific supervisor and/or project you would like to be considered by/for, please include their details in the application.
Successful candidates will have a 2:1 or first class honours degree from a UK university (or equivalent from international institutions) in a science or technology discipline. Applicants are also expected to be able to demonstrate an adequate level of computer literacy (should be able to write code performing a science/maths application using a programming language such as C/C++, FORTRAN, Java or Python).
Funding
Unlike other CDT programmes, the CDT CMMS is not linked to any specific funding. However, applicants may be able to obtain four-year scholarships by taking part in the University’s funding competition, or through external sources. Please visit the postgraduate funding webpages for further information.