Computational Science is concerned with constructing mathematical models, applying numerical solution techniques and using computers to analyze and solve problems in a great range of applications (i.e. traffic circulation, climate modelling, study of diseases, systems engineering, business modelling, ecology, etc).

Complex Systems, concerned with the interactions of very large numbers of individuals, is a particularly interesting field of study to which DCU's "Modelling & Scientific Computing" research group has made many contributions, including in Finance and Biology. It addresses questions such as how does the behaviour of individual consumers/animals/health workers/atmosphere particulates impact on the rate of inflation/the population statistics/the health system effectiveness/climate change?

There are seven core taught modules and one optional taught module in the programme. In addition, for the Masters course, each student carries out a practicum, consisting of the definition, implementation, presentation and documentation of a substantial piece of computational work. Normally, practicums are done in small groups so that students may benefit from the synergy of working with people of different technical backgrounds.

The "practicum", or extended project, will take place over the summer period during which teams of students will typically either build a prototype system to solve a real-world problem (innovative) or design an experiment/manipulate/analyse laboratory or field-generated data (experimental) or seek to model a novel approach or idea (theoretical). The projects, formulated and researched in the first two semesters, may be provided by corporate clients or may involve some of the student's own ideas or may be suggested by lecturing staff. Normally, students will be organised into pairs or appropriately sized teams comprising individuals from different backgrounds and skill sets, with the aim of achieving complementary input to the problem. Where applicable, students may carry out their practicum work remote from Dublin City University, for example at a suitable international research centre.