PhD in Mathematical Modelling and Numerical Simulation in Engineering and Applied Science

2024/2025

What you learn

The three main lines of research in which the doctoral theses are framed are: 1. Mathematical Analysis and Numerical Solution of Partial Differential Equations (PDE) and Ordinary Differential Equations (ODE) 2. Modeling, analysis and numerical simulation of problems in applied sciences and engineering 3. Modelling, analysis and numerical simulation of industrial and business problems The research groups belong mostly to the departments of Mathematics of the UDC, of Applied Mathematics of the USC and of Applied Mathematics II of the UVIGO, which include the list of professors of the doctoral program.

Generic skills

1.Systematic understanding of a field of study and mastery of skills and research methods related to that field 2.Ability to conceive, design or create, implement and adopt a substantial process of research and creation 3. Ability to contribute to the expansion of the frontiers of knowledge through original research 4. Ability to perform critical analysis and evaluation and synthesis of new and complex ideas 5. Ability to communicate with the academic and scientific community, and with society in general, about their fields of knowledge in the modes and languages commonly used in their international scientific community 6. Ability to promote, in academic and professional contexts, scientific, technological, social, artistic or cultural progress within a knowledge-based society

Specific skills

1. Ability to model industrial processes in the field of Applied Mathematics 2. Ability to mathematically analyze models in the field of Applied Mathematics, studying the existence, uniqueness and properties of the solution 3. Ability to solve industrial problems, which can be formulated mathematically, numerically in the fields of engineering, finance, health sciences and the environment 4. Ability to analyse the results obtained by means of numerical simulation and the numerical methods used, with the tools provided by numerical analysis 5. Ability to select a set of numerical techniques, languages and computer tools, suitable for solving a mathematical model 6. Ability to adapt, modify, and implement numerical simulation software tools 7. Ability to interact with industry professionals to build innovative solutions to the problems formulated and contribute to the transfer of such knowledge

Transversal skills

1.Systematic understanding of a field of study and mastery of skills and research methods related to that field 2.Ability to conceive, design or create, implement and adopt a substantial process of research and creation 3. Ability to contribute to the expansion of the frontiers of knowledge through original research 4. Ability to perform critical analysis and evaluation and synthesis of new and complex ideas 5. Ability to communicate with the academic and scientific community, and with society in general, about their fields of knowledge in the modes and languages commonly used in their international scientific community 6. Ability to promote, in academic and professional contexts, scientific, technological, social, artistic or cultural progress within a knowledge-based society

Professional and academic career

In addition to the professional opportunities related to joining teaching and research teams at Spanish and foreign universities, the development of the doctoral thesis on highly topical and relevant problems in different industrial and business sectors enables the possibility of joining R+D+i teams of companies and technology centres. This last aspect is supported by the good number of doctors trained in the programme who have joined companies, technology and research centres, as well as universities.

Professional and academic career

In addition to the professional opportunities related to joining teaching and research teams at Spanish and foreign universities, the development of the doctoral thesis on highly topical and relevant problems in different industrial and business sectors enables the possibility of joining R+D+i teams of companies and technology centres. This last aspect is supported by the good number of doctors trained in the programme who have joined companies, technology and research centres, as well as universities.

Companies and institutions involved

Companies with agreements with participating universities: 1. International Financial Analysts (AFI) 2.AIMEN Technology Centre 3.Ambient 4.Galician Supercomputing Center Foundation 5.Fisheries Technology Centre 6.Wood Innovation and Services Center 7. Centro de Observación y Remoto Sensing S.A. 8. Automotive Technology Centre of Galicia (CETAG) 9. Dayco ENSA, S.L. 10. Endesa Generación S.A. 11. Galician Electronic Machining 12. GMV 13. Grupo Antolín 14. Iberdrola Energías Renovables de Galicia S.A. 15. Ikerland S. Coop. 16. Indizen Technologies 17. International Project Unit 18. Institute of Environmental Hydraulics "IH Cantabria" 19. CSIC Marine Research Institute 20. Spanish Institute of Oceanography 21. Technological Institute of Aragon 22. Navantia 23. Next Limits Technologies 24. Engineering Techniques and Services 25. UNVI S.A. 26. Vicus Technological Developments Collaborators without an agreement: 1.RUSSULA 2.UMANA Biomechanical Engineering

Research lines

This are the main research lines for current study.

  • Análisis Matemático y Resolución Numérica de Ecuaciones en Derivadas Parciales (EDP) y de Ecuaciones Diferenciales Ordinarias (EDO)
  • Modelado, análisis y simulación numérica de problemas en ciencias aplicadas e ingeniería
  • Modelado, análisis y simulación numérica de problemas industriales y empresariales

Planning for teaching

Additional subject teaching

Candidates who do not meet all the necessary prior learning conditions for the programme may be required to complete additional courses in the form of subjects and modules from UDC Master’s and undergraduate programmes. The number of credits from additional subject teaching will not exceed 15 ECTS credits, which students may choose to complete before or after enrolment in the PhD programme.

Students who do not opt to complete additional coursework prior to enrolment should register for their extra subjects or modules at the same time as the PhD. Failure to complete additional coursework within a period of three consecutive terms will result in the termination of the student’s registration.

See also UDC PhD Policies and Regulations, Article 5: Applications.

EIDUDC teaching and training activities

EIDUDC teaching and training activities

Programme-specific teaching and training activities

1.Temas Avanzados de Matemática Aplicada: se pretende que el alumno conozca líneas de investigación relevantes en el panorama internacional en el ámbito de la Matemática Aplicada. Se trata de cursos dinámicos y optativos que varían cada año. En general, se recomienda hacerlo el primer año. 2. Materias del Master de Matemática Industrial o equivalente: la CAPD o el director de la tesis puede recomendar el seguimiento de materias que el alumno no haya cursado, por ser adecuados para la realización de la tesis. Estas materias figurarán en el Plan de Investigación del alumno. Son optativos y se recomienda hacerlos el primer año. 3. Cursos externos al Programa y reconocidos por la CAPD: serán publicitados entre los alumnos, detallando la planificación de los mismos y los criterios de seguimiento y reconocimiento por la CAPD. Son optativos. 4. Estancias de investigación: La movilidad estará supervisada por el director o tutor de la tesis, definiendo los objetivos de la estancia. Además del aspecto formativo, se fomentará la realización de tesis con Mención Internacional. Tienen carácter optativo. La duración mínima recomendada será de 1 semana y la máxima de 2 años, siempre que exista financiación disponible.

Supervision agreement

The PhD supervision agreement defines the academic relationship between the candidate and the University, the rights and responsibilities of each (including any intellectual and/or industrial property rights resulting from the candidate’s research), the procedures in place in relation to conflict resolution, and the duration of the agreement. It also specifies the duties of the PhD tutor and supervisor.

The supervision agreement must be signed by the candidate, tutor and designated university representative (or representatives) within a maximum period of one month as from the date of registration. The supervisor’s signature may be added subsequently, once a supervisor has been appointed.

When the document has been signed by all the relevant parties, the agreement is then added to the candidate’s record of activities.

See also UDC PhD Policies and Regulations, Article 13: Supervision agreement.

Research plan

The candidate must prepare a research plan within six months of registration, with information regarding methodology, objectives, resources and milestones. The research plan is submitted together with the report of the supervisor and/or tutor for approval by the Academic Committee for PhD Programmes (CAPD). Improvements to the plan may be introduced with the approval of the supervisor and/or tutor based on the annual review of the student’s research progress.

Research plans are subject to annual review by the CAPD, including the report(s) of the supervisor and/or tutor and the candidate’s record of activities. Students will be permitted to continue with their studies if the outcome of the review is satisfactory. If the outcome is negative, the student will be required to submit a new plan within a period of six months. If the committee is still not satisfied, the candidate will be removed from the programme.

See also UDC PhD Policies and Regulations, Article 15: Research plan.

Student mobility

UDC holds student mobility agreements with universities and other third-level institutions across four continents. Students are offered several opportunities each year to apply to study abroad in one of these centres (for a single term or for a whole year), with the guarantee that all credits obtained will be duly recognised in their academic record upon their return.

For each round of applications, the University publishes the list of exchange options available to students and, where relevant, the specific conditions associated with each. Students may also apply to the University for funding for international work experience placements and internships.

Work experience placements are accredited in the student's academic record and the European diploma supplement. Students are free to decide in which host company or academic institution within the EHEA they wish to carry out their placement. To assist them in their search, the University has created an online noticeboard with jobs postings and other news.

Work-study placements in A Coruña are arranged by the International Relations Office (ORI) of the UDC in collaboration with the international relations coordinators in the student’s home university. The general entry criteria, rights and obligations of students, and admission and acceptance procedures for the programme, are regulated by the UDC Mobility Policy.