University of Wuppertal on the way to become an ECMI Teaching Centre

Since winter term 2019/2020, the University of Wuppertal (Bergische Universität Wuppertal), Germany has launched two new programmes in techno- and economathematics.

The four-semester master’s programme in technomathematics has its focus on numerics, optimization, stochastics, functional analysis and parallel algorithms/high-performance computing.  In the supplementary field (minor subject) a subject from electrical, mechanical, control  or communications engineering is to be selected.

The four-semester master’s programme in economathematics has its focus on computational finance, optimization, stochastics and financial mathematics. In the supplementary area (minor subject) a subject from applied economics and international economic policy, finance, auditing, controlling and taxes, or operations management is  to be selected.

For both programmes, each mathematical subject is tought in an advanced, a deepening  and a specialization module. At least one advanced seminar and a modelling seminar or an internship are mandatory.

Both study programmes are embedded into a strong research environment in Wuppertal, centered around the IMACM (Institute of mathematical Modelling, Analysis and Computational Mathematics) and the IZMD (Interdisciplinary Center for Machine Learning and Data Analytics). In technomathematics, sustainable research cooperations have been established with companies from the electronics, automotive and energy sector, just to name a few. The same applies to economathematics, with cooperation ranging from banks and insurrance companies to energy companies. Cooperative research projects at Wuppertal range from shape optimization for gas turbines in volatile energy networks (BMBF-funded project GIVEN)  and simulation in multiphysical and biological systems (EU-funded European joint doctoral school STIMULATE)  and model order reduction (EU-funded European Industrial Doctorate school ROMSOC)  to artificial intelligence and data analytics (EFRE-funded innovation platform BIT).

As we have already implemented both programes in the spirit of the ECMI model master, Wuppertal has applied in February 2020  for becoming an “ECMI teaching center”, to ease the mobility not only for our students, but also for students abroad. This certification  “ECMI Teaching Centre” will open up new European perspectives for students of techno- and economathematics in their studies, e.g. they can do partial studies at ECMI partner universities within the master’s program  Technomathematics –  “Educational Programme Mathematics for Industry”.

What is an “ECMI Teaching Centre”? A network of European partner universities, the “ECMI Teaching Centres”, offers courses in Industrial Mathematics and Economathematics, maintains close contacts with industry and organises student exchanges, in particular

• Supports students in participating in the modelling weeks held annually at the partner universities
• Supports doctoral students and postdocs in participating in the events, European Study Groups with Industry, which are regularly held at the partner universities
• organizes partial studies at ECMI partner universities within the master’s program
  Technomathematics – “Educational Programme Mathematics for Industry “.

The ECMI – Educational Programme Mathematics for Industry

• It is an international English language study programme
• Partial studies at an ECMI partner university (e.g. Oxford, Milan, Madrid, Lisbon, Budapest, Grenoble, Verona, Coimbra, Sofia, Gothenburg (Chalmers), Trondheim, …). The student exchanges are encouraged, usually through ERASMUS.
• The main aspect is the development of the mathematical and data processing skills of the students.
• International workshops – the ECMI Modeling Weeks – are organized annually. They are part of the study program.
• The participating students finish their studies with a master thesis on an industry-related topic, usually in cooperation with a company.
• Upon successful completion, the graduate students receive the ECMI certificate – a recognized certificate supplement that enables them to work throughout Europe after their studies.

More details can be found here.

Consider whether your university should not also become an ECMI Teaching center. In order to expand our educational network and further develop the quality of teaching together  on a European scale.