Computation for Design and Optimization (CDO)

Intensive Computation for Design and Optimization (CDO) has become an essential activity in such diverse areas as telecommunications, imaging, guidance/control, the Internet, aerospace design, micromachined devices, distribution networks, traffic management, air transport, web-based retailing, the electric power grid, and manufacturing scheduling. Effective computation produces shorter design cycle times, higher-quality products, and improved functionality.

The MIT CDO program offers a unified treatment of the computational aspects of complex engineered systems. Through hands-on projects and a master's thesis, students develop and apply advanced computational methods to a diverse range of applications, from aerospace to nanotechnology, from Internet protocols to telecommunications system design. Career opportunities for CDO graduates include companies and research centers where systems modeling, numerical simulation, design and optimization play a critical role.

The MIT CDO program educates students in the formulation, analysis, implementation, and application of computational approaches to designing and operating engineered systems, emphasizing:

• Breadth through introductory courses in numerical analysis and simulation, optimization, and applied probability
• Depth in optimization methods and numerical methods for partial differential equations
• Multidisciplinary aspects of computation
• Hands-on experience through projects, assignments, and a master's thesis