The Centre for Discrete Mathematics and its Applications (DIMAP)

离散数学在模拟自然世界(例如基因组)和技术世界(例如互联网)以及设计有效的解决方案(如基因测序算法和互联网路由协议)方面发挥着至关重要的作用。众所周知，英国在这一日益重要的领域严重缺乏能力。这一点在三份国际评论(计算机科学、数学和运筹学)和独立的行业报告中得到了强调，例如史密斯研究所的报告。离散数学从根本上讲是一项多学科的活动。主要在计算机科学系完成的算法工作、主要在数学系完成的组合工作，以及主要在商学院OR研究小组完成的优化工作之间的密切联系，强烈表明，通过建立一个具有统一协作战略的新中心，最好地解决这些相互关联领域的能力不足问题。EPSRC科学与创新计划，既关注数学和计算机科学的接口，又关注运筹学的基本原理，强化了这一观点。我们建议通过建立离散数学及其应用中心来大幅提高这一领域的能力，该中心设在华威大学三个国际公认的系：计算机科学、数学和商学院。EPSRC/HEFCE初步投资362万英镑，加上大学的大力和持续支持，主要成果将是：o在邻近的新计算机科学和数学大楼建立一个强大的跨学科研究中心，由M Paterson FRS教授、AM Stuart教授、B Chen教授和LA Goldberg博士组成的执行团队领导，支持具有国际竞争力的离散建模、算法分析和运筹学研究方案；o以有吸引力的条件和长期合同招聘三名新讲师，每个系一名，以确保最高质量的任命；O在计算机科学系内招聘一名离散数学及其在算法中的应用的新教授；o从最初根据EPSRC/HEFCE补助金招聘的四人组成的博士后研究计划；o培训策略包括：-一个博士培训中心，提供四年制博士学位。根据EPSRC/HEFCE补助金，每年将招收两名新学生，为期五年，其他学生通过案例奖励和DTA计划获得资助；-在四年制计算机科学硕士学位中开设新的课程，开设数学和或或单元，并专注于离散数学；O工业联盟方案，供工业和其他用户在离散数学领域内交流他们的需要，并与中心合作制定解决方案和转让知识；O合作的发展根植于离散数学，涉及其他英国大学的研究人员。执行团队的严格管理将确保中心通过高质量的研究产生影响，促进离散数学、算法和运筹学基础知识，并显著促进英国工业，通过增加英国在这一领域训练有素的研究人员的生产来提高能力，通过研究和培训确保长期未来的可持续性，通过常规出版路线和工业附属公司计划进行知识转移，并通过确保满足计划的时间表来解决英国当前的问题来确保及时性。这一奖项的附加值将来自于集中和协调目前在三个部门进行的出色研究的机会。

Discrete Mathematics plays an essential role in modelling the natural world (e.g., the genome) and the technological world (e.g., the internet), and in designing efficient solutions such as gene-sequencing algorithms and internet routing protocols. It is well known that the UK has a serious lack of capacity in this increasingly important area. This has been highlighted in three International Reviews (Computer Science, Mathematics and OR) and by independent industry reports such as that from the Smith Institute. Discrete Mathematics is a fundamentally multi-disciplinary activity. The close connections among algorithmic work being done primarily in computer science departments, combinatorial work primarily in mathematics departments, and optimisation work primarily in OR research groups in business schools, strongly suggest that the lack of capacity in these inter-related areas will be best addressed by developing a new centre with a unified, collaborative strategy. The EPSRC Science and Innovation scheme, focussing on both the interface of mathematics and computer science, and the fundamentals of operational research, reinforces this view. We propose to enhance capacity in this area substantially by founding the Centre for Discrete Mathematics and its Applications, rooted in three internationally recognised departments at the University of Warwick: Computer Science, Mathematics and the Business School. The key deliverables resulting from an initial investment of 3.62M from EPSRC/HEFCE, combined with substantial and continuing support by the University, will be:o a strong multi-disciplinary research centre in the adjacent new Computer Science and Mathematics buildings, directed by an Executive Team of Profs M Paterson FRS, AM Stuart, B Chen and Dr LA Goldberg supporting an internationally competitive programme of research in discrete modelling, algorithmic analysis and operational research;o the recruitment of three new lecturers, one in each department, on attractive terms and with permanent contracts to ensure highest quality appointments; o the recruitment of a new professor in Discrete Mathematics and its Applications in Algorithms within the Department of Computer Science;o an ongoing stream of postdoctoral RA's, building from an initial group of four to be recruited under the EPSRC/HEFCE grant;o a training strategy comprising: - a doctoral training centre offering 4-year PhD's. Two new students would be recruited each year for 5 years under the EPSRC/HEFCE grant, with others funded through CASE awards and the DTA programme; - a new stream within the 4-year Computer Science MEng degree with modules from mathematics and OR and focussing on discrete mathematics;o an Industrial Affiliates Programme, for industrial and other users to communicate their needs within the discrete mathematics area, and to collaborate with the Centre in developing solutions and transferring knowledge;o the development of collaborations, rooted in discrete maths, involving researchers at other UK universities.Strong management by the Executive Team will ensure that the Centre delivers impact through high quality research advancing knowledge in discrete mathematics, algorithms, and fundamentals of operational research and giving a significant boost to UK industry, capacity by increasing the UK's production of trained researchers in this area, sustainability by securing the long-term future through research and training, knowledge transfer via the usual publication routes and the Industrial Affiliates Programme, and timeliness by ensuring that projected schedules are met to address the UK's current problems. The added value from this Award would arise from the opportunity to focus and coordinate the excellent research currently undertaken across three departments.