Mark Kac Center for Complex Systems Research

Jagiellonian University

Computer Physics - Interdisciplinary Research and Application
COPIRA

Objectives

The objective is to enlarge a working group which will accelerate transformation of our faculty into a modern, networked research and education center. The strategy clusters measures in the hands of a small group of experienced researchers and educators. It will act as a catalyser of changes within larger units. The actions undertaken will enhance connections between research in applied physics and computer science, local IT companies and European research centers. New research concepts will be disseminated by means of workshops, conferences, open lectures and collaborations with other research centers. New interdisciplinary educational programmes will be introduced at graduate and undergraduate level. The project will help to integrate our high academic potential with ERA and will help us to take part in the activities of the 6FP.

Description of the work

The project focuses on a cluster of measures surrounding the research and educational programmes in modern computer physics. We are planning 2 workshops on applications of neural networks and optimisation of network flows, which will contribute to the development of the topics and will attract to them local researchers both from the university and IT companies. The conference on econophysics will gather leading European specialists in that field and will make the exchange of new concepts and results possible. We will collaborate with European research centers on the above mentioned topics as well as on modelling of continuous and discrete processes, statistical analysis of networks, processor test beds in large-scale calculations and mobile communication technologies. The collaboration will take the form of exchange visits and conducting research together. We plan approximately 25 short visits of researchers from the COPIRA group to the collaborating institutions to ensure a bi-directional flow of information and to develop research projects of mutual interest. New concepts in computer physics will be disseminated among society by means of public open lectures. New lecture courses for graduate and undergraduate students will be prepared at the academic level. This will enhance the students’ opportunities on the labour market. The project will be performed by the COPIRA group of researchers and educators, who have long experience in international research collaboration and in organisation of scientific events on a large scale.

Milestones and expected results

The measures will accelerate the transformation of the faculty into a modern, interdisciplinary research and educational center, contributing to the development of the region and of the country. The coordinating unit will grow to the important working group of specialists who will provoke crucial changes in applied science via international collaboration. Main deliverables will be published in the form of conference and workshop proceedings, collaboration reports and prepared lecture courses.

Copira is a name of a cave in the Krakow Jura where, according to an alternative legend from IX century, the Polish princess Wanda married secretly the German prince Otto, after having simulated her drowning in the Vistula river.

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