UNLV students will find a degree program in computational physics available next Fall. According to physics professor Stephen Lepp, the Bachelor of Science degree program is being launched in response to student interest and to increased demand for computational physicists by a variety of industries. It will be the first degree program of its kind in the state. It shouldn't be confused with a degree in computer science, which is something quite different.
Computational physicists develop computer models that they then use in solving scientific questions.
Physics professor Tao Pang said that employers, such as NASA, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and companies involved in producing special effects for movies, are seeking workers with a background in computational physics.