This PhD programme is based in the MASDOC Centre of Doctoral Training within the University of Warwick departments of Mathematics and Statistics. It is one of 15 EPSRC funded "Securing the Future" doctoral training centres. 10 four year studentships are offered each year to students eligible for EPSRC funding.
MASDOC Pillars
The mathematical science of the programme is of broad scope whilst being rooted in the four MASDOC pillars:
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Analysis which provides the language and tools for mathematical formulations, well-posedness and qualitative study of models of continuum phenomena in large multi-scale and multi-physics applications.
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Numerics (Computation and Numerical Analysis) for the numerical simulation of complex models. The design of good computational methods is a significant mathematical challenge requiring the interplay between analysis and computing in the context of applications.
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Probability to provide a detailed and rigorous understanding of the behaviour of complex stochastic models motivated by applications.
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Statistics for inference in both deterministic and stochastic models, exploiting the increasing volume and quality of data now routinely available in many areas of science and technology.
Aims
Within the MASDOC CDT the innovative and coherent research training provides PhD students with a broad background. Specifically it:
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prepares students to develop mathematical and statistical frameworks for emerging applications which address the scientific and technological challenges that face the modern world;
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enables students to undertake world leading research across traditional divides both within mathematical sciences and across to other disciplines;
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prepares students for research in academia or to transfer their skills and knowledge into widersociety via industrial or governmental career tracks;
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trains students to act as ambassadors for the mathematical sciences to the broader public;
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will graduate PhDs who have been provided with a training comparable to the highest international standard, who can communicate across disciplines and who will have enduring links to a cohort of MASDOC-trained researchers with interests across a broad range of research areas
Entry into the Programme
The normal route into the MASDOC CDT is entry into the 4 year training programme. The first year comprises taught modules, research study groups, a summer research project and other activities promoting the acquisition of research skills. This leads to the award of an MSc. In this rst year each student has an MSc tutor and a mentor. Entry into the Year 2 to 4 programme is via progression from the MASDOC MSc programme.
Unusual entry
Candidates with a relevant qualification equivalent to the 4 year MMath plus 1 year MASDOC MSc (such as a 3 year BSc plus 2 year MSc) may be admitted into the Year 2 to 4 PhD programme.
MASDOC Taught Modules
Students are required to take 6 modules over Terms 1 and 2. These will normally be taken from 8 especially developed MASDOC modules. These modules are assessed by coursework and oral examination. Students should modules which cover 3 of the 4 pillars. It is possible to substitute a MASDOC module by an appropriate M level module offered by the departments.
Research Study Groups
This module runs through the first two terms and half of the third. It comprises "Hot Topic" workshops from which group projects are developed. This is assessed by group presentations and reports.
Transferable Skills
Each student in year 1 develops a portfolio which accumulates evidence of the acquisition of research skills. In subsequent years students register for the UoW postgraduate skills certificate.
MASDOC summer research project and choice of PhD project/supervisor
- The MSc summer research project is normally supervised by the potential PhD supervisor.
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Choice of supervisor
MASDOC students are expected to seek out potential supervisors. and agree a project. MASDOC students are encouraged to discuss research topics with faculty in Mathematics and Statistics throughout the year. To facilitate this there is a lunchtime seminar in the second term at which faculty are invited to give presentations about their research interests.
Unusual entry
In this case the supervisor and mentor will be agreed within the admission procedure.
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Summer research/PhD project proposal
The student and supervisor should write a short project proposal comprising a discussion of background and aims for the project and an indication of the PhD project. The project proposals will be approved by the MASDOC directors.
The research projects may be of a theoretical nature or methodological nature within one or more pillars or may be centred around an application area.
Ideally the range of projects will be across the full scope of MASDOC.
