2025-2026 Academic Catalog
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
The Computational Modeling and Data Analytics (CMDA) program is a collaborative effort of the departments of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science. It resides in the College of Science's Academy of Data Science. CMDA courses teach the range of emerging concepts and techniques from mathematics and statistics, with a decidedly computational approach, that are most in demand by a data-driven world. The curriculum prepares students as quantitative scientists ready to engage data and modeling problems wherever they may occur. CMDA is Virginia Tech’s Big Data degree.
In addition to the standard degree option, CMDA offers specialized options in: Biological Sciences, Cryptography & Cybersecurity, Economics, Geosciences, and Physics. After graduation, CMDA majors can deploy their skills across many domains, from climate science to sports analytics, from financial modeling to cybersecurity. Diverse job opportunities abound.
During senior year, CMDA majors undertake a major Capstone Project (CMDA 4864), collaborating with a team of students to tackle an open-ended modeling or analytics challenge from a client in industry, government, academia, or the non-profit sector.
Each Spring the CMDA program awards approximately $50,000 in Hamlett Scholarships, primarily to continuing students. Majors are also eligible to apply for CMDA Undergraduate Research Grants, awarded for Fall, Spring, and Summer research.
Please direct advising inquires to cmda-advising@vt.edu.
University policy requires that students who are making satisfactory progress toward a degree meet minimum criteria toward the General Education (Curriculum for Liberal Education or Pathways to General Education) (see "Academic Policies") and toward the degree.
Satisfactory progress requirements toward the B.S. in Computational Modeling and Data Analytics can be found on the major checksheet by visiting the University Registrar website at https://www.registrar.vt.edu/graduation-multi-brief/checksheets.html.
Most CMDA courses involve the use of statistical and/or mathematical software, typically including (but not limited to) Python, R, C, Java, and MATLAB. Previous experience with these languages is not expected; students will learn the necessary tools throughout the CMDA curriculum.
Division Leader: M. Embree
Program Manager: H. Caldwell
Undergraduate Advisor: J.S. Whitehead
Principle Faculty: N. Abaid, C. Beattie, P. Cazeaux, L. Childs, J. Datta, E. de Sturler, X. Deng, F. Faltin, R. Gramacy, S. Gugercin, A. Habibnia, P. Haskell, D. Higdon, L. House, L. Johnson, I. Kim, S. Leman, C. Lucero, D. Lucero, M. Liu, G. Matthews, S. Merkes, A. Miedlar, J. P. Morgan, C. North, A. Patterson, L. Pillonen, M. Pleimling, N. Ramakrishnan, C. Ribbens, J. Rudi, E. Smith, E. Ufferman, T. Warburton, J. Wilson, X. Xing, and L. Zeitsman
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