The Centre for Discrete Mathematics and its Applications (DIMAP)

离散数学在模拟自然世界（如基因组）和技术世界（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）方面发挥着重要作用。众所周知，英国在这一日益重要的领域严重缺乏能力。这在三个国际评论（计算机科学，数学和OR）和独立的行业报告（如史密斯研究所的报告）中都得到了强调。离散数学基本上是一门多学科的活动。主要在计算机科学系进行的算法工作，主要在数学系进行的组合工作，以及主要在商学院的OR研究小组进行的优化工作之间的密切联系，强烈表明，在这些相互关联的领域，能力的缺乏将通过开发一个具有统一协作战略的新中心来最好地解决。EPSRC的科学与创新计划将重点放在数学与计算机科学的结合以及运筹学的基础上，进一步强化了这一观点。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，该中心植根于华威大学的三个国际公认的部门：计算机科学、数学和商学院。EPSRC/HEFCE的初始投资为362万英镑，加上大学的大量和持续支持，主要成果将是：在毗邻的新计算机科学和数学大楼建立一个强大的多学科研究中心，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，支持一个具有国际竞争力的离散建模、算法分析和运筹学研究项目；O征聘三名新讲师，每个系一名，条件有吸引力，并签订长期合同，以确保最高质量的任用；o在计算机科学系招聘一名新的离散数学及其在算法中的应用教授；o在EPSRC/HEFCE资助下，从最初招募的四名博士后RA的基础上，不断增加博士后RA的数量；o培训策略包括：-设立博士培训中心，提供四年制博士学位。每年将招收两名新学生，为期5年，由EPSRC/HEFCE资助，其他学生由CASE奖励和DTA计划资助；-四年制计算机科学孟学位的新课程，包括数学和OR模块，重点是离散数学；o工业附属计划，供工业和其他用户交流他们在离散数学领域的需求，并与中心合作开发解决方案和转移知识；o基于离散数学的合作发展，涉及英国其他大学的研究人员。执行团队强有力的管理将确保该中心通过高质量的研究提供影响，推动离散数学、算法和运筹学基础知识的发展，并通过增加英国在这一领域训练有素的研究人员的生产来显著推动英国工业的发展，通过研究和培训来确保长期未来的可持续性。通过通常的出版路线和工业附属计划进行知识转移，并通过确保满足预计的时间表来及时解决英国当前的问题。该奖项的附加价值将来自于有机会集中和协调目前在三个部门进行的优秀研究。

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.