The "Mathematical and Computational Modeling" core competence

As a problem-solving discipline, mathematical modeling plays a key role in interdisciplinary research. Together with numerical simulation / scientific computing and optimization, it is an essential driver of developments and progress within a wide range of industrial applications and indispensable for engineers and scientists. As such, it links mathematics to applications. The interaction stimulates basic mathematical research on the one hand and uses the results obtained to solve practical problems on the other.

Consequently, my classes (and graduate theses) are intended to introduce students to current research topics with practical relevance. Modeling seminars and projects play an important part in this. Within this context, authentic problems from technology, economics or life sciences are tackled in small groups. The task is to model the problem mathematically, i.e. to translate it into the language of mathematics and then solve it using mathematical methods and computer simulations. After this, the results are interpreted and discussed critically and extensively with reference to the original problem. In addition to problem-solving skills, these seminars promote the development of several soft skills that are essential for professional life, such as teamwork, communication and conflict management. “Theo-Prax projects” with industrial companies, which I organize as part of the Theory & Practice programme, and which take place under "real" industrial working conditions in Germany, offer even more specific preparation for the future professional requirements. This programme is a nationwide initiative to promote an exchange of knowledge and experience between universities and industries. Tight project, time and money management in particular, as well as negotiations with the client (customer), present unusual challenges that sometimes have to be dealt with through to the end. However, once the project is successfully completed, the pride in the achievement is all the greater, as is the confidence for the upcoming career start.

The graduate theses are aimed at the applicability of the mathematical results and can be written in cooperation with chairs of engineering/natural science and with industrial companies. Apart from the modeling of physical processes, my academic interest lies in asymptotics, numerics and optimization of stochastic and partial differential equations.

Furthermore, I offer graduate theses for the study programmes Mathematics for Education and Data Science.