Simulation sciences is taken to mean those disciplines which, on the one hand, deal with basic methodological principles and, on the other hand, with applications of computer simulations in natural science and engineering. Due to the exponential development of modern high-performance computers, these disciplines are gaining ever greater significance and now represent the third pillar of research complementing experiment and theory. Well-known areas in which computer simulations are extensively used are, for instance, climate research, materials science and biotechnology.

The special feature of the interdisciplinary Simulation Sciences program is the training of scientists and engineers enabling them to handle the continuously growing applications of high-performance computers in science and engineering. Students will be given basic training in the methodological principles of computer simulation and, depending on their personal choice, will then complete an application-oriented or methodology-oriented program. In the field of applications, a selection can be made from a broad spectrum of courses which can either be combined in an interdisciplinary manner or focused on one priority. This concept permits students to extend their knowledge of the discipline of their bachelor’s degree or to change their field. For example, a bachelor’s in physics could be followed by a Master’s in Simulation Sciences with a focus on engineering. In the course of the program, students will be granted access to the extraordinary supercomputer and visualization resources of RWTH Aachen University and Forschungszentrum Jülich.

Career opportunities in numerous professional fields are open to graduates of the Master’s program in Simulation Sciences. Due to its interdisciplinarity, the program addresses the areas of methodology, basic principles and applications of simulation sciences that are currently in very great demand.′Potential employers can be found in both research and industry. For example, cost cutting means that computer simulations now replace expensive experiments, which makes it attractive for industry to employ well-qualified experts in the field. Since the program is taught in English, the graduates are moreover well qualified for the international market.

These comprise a Master's as well as a doctoral program. Our four laboratories, two in Aachen (Applied Supercomputing in Engineering, Parallel Programming), two in Jülich (Computational Biophysics, Computational Materials Science), offer a wide range of research opportunities. Furthermore, about 40 research groups and institutes in Aachen and Jülich are associated with the German Research School and are currently involved in research with intensive use of computer simulation techniques. Simultaneously, the scientists make great efforts to advance existing methods and to develop new techniques and simulation tools. All research groups have access to the most advanced computing equipment like massively parallel supercomputers or advanced visualization methods.