CASCADE - Computational Science for Complex Systems

Summary

Structure formation at all length scales - from elementary particles over neurons to stars - is one of the central topics in modern science. For  answering the pertinent questions, computational and quantitative methods have become an imperative and will be of ever growing importance in all fields of science. It is thus the right time to develop stronger connections between the various fields and to commonly address problems requiring forefront computational methods and concepts. The cluster CASCADE – Computational Science for Complex Systems – is based on a large number of renowned scientists at the University of Bonn and the surrounding research institutions from the Max-Planck Society, the Helmholtz Association and the Fraunhofer Society. CASCADE is built upon strong interdisciplinary research beyond existing scientific disciplines. Together we aim at developing new computational tools and at providing novel methods enabling us within the natural sciences to solve problems that are so far intractable. Initially, we will develop and apply this interdisciplinary approach in the following three research units: (RU-A) Structure of complex matter, (RU-B) Computational neurosciences and (RU-C) Extreme scale computing. These areas are embedded in the Center for Science and Thought  providing  the basis for addressing the conceptual questions to be explored at the cross-section of science and philosophy which naturally emerge in such cutting-edge research. While RU-A is mainly focused on fundamental physics,   strongly interacting quantum systems and quantum chemistry, RU-B will investigate problems in computational neurobiology as well as complex  behavior and simulation and analysis in clinical neurodegeneration. RU-C focuses on numerical algorithms, big data, machine learning, visual  analytics, scientific visualization and modular supercomputing. An essential instrument for our interdisciplinary approach are eight methodological  and computational topics, which will be developed together by experts from different scientific disciplines.

An important prerequisite for the success of the cluster is a broad education of students and young scientists in advanced computational methods.  Therefore, a new M.Sc. in “Computational Sciences for Complex Systems” will be developed and offered by the PIs and other professors from the corresponding departments. In addition, CASCADE Young Investigator Groups will be set up aiming to strengthen the  research and education across the various fields of the involved areas, which are numerical simulations, physics, chemistry, computer sciences, life sciences and philosophy. This is supplemented by strategical hires at the University of Bonn and the participating research institutions and by  the construction of a new building at the University of Bonn that will host the required computing infrastructure and will serve as a hub in research  and education for CASCADE and related computational efforts in other areas.