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Multiscale Science and Engineering (MSE)

Description
Area of Intellectual Interest: There is no doubt that a current dominant trend in most of the scientific disciplines is the development of predictive theories based on a first-principles description of the microscopic underpinning of the topic. The difficulty with this, and the unifying theme to emerge from these efforts, is that models of this nature are by definition multiscale. The term “multiscale” expresses the fact that in order to correctly describe the behavior of the system it is necessary to resolve macroscopic and microscopic processes simultaneously. The result is the creation of a new interdisciplinary domain of research that is termed Multiscale Science and Engineering (MSE). Breakthroughs in this area require the collaborative effort of researchers in mathematics, biology, chemistry, computer science, materials science, mechanics, physics, as well as the engineering disciplines. The proposed Interdisciplinary Graduate Group in MSE brings together experts in these different fields from across the University of Minnesota whose research is related to multiscale phenomena.

Initiatives for Graduate Students : In order to place the University of Minnesota at the forefront of this important new interdisciplinary research field, we propose to create (1) a Free-Standing Ph.D. Minor in “Multiscale Science and Engineering” and (2) a highly visible Center for Multiscale Science and Engineering that will coordinate activities in this area at the University of Minnesota, including seminars and the organization of  large-scale interdisciplinary research proposals. The new graduate program will extend the training of students of the traditional disciplines in state-of-the-art multiscale techniques. The program will be based on a core group of faculty strongly active in the area of MSE from a variety of departments who form the initial membership and leadership team for the proposed Interdisciplinary Graduate Group. Both the faculty and the affiliated faculty will supervise graduate students and participate in the interdisciplinary research activity. These students will be recruited from diverse science, mathematics, and engineering fields. The curriculum will consist of specialized courses in MSE and an active weekly seminar program.

Leadership
The primary contact for this group is Professor Ellad B. Tadmor (Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics). Additional members of the leadership team are Professor Mitchell Luskin (Mathematics), and Professor Richard D. James (Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics).

Membership

Please direct questions about the new interdisciplinary graduate groups to Vicki Field, Director of The Graduate School’s Office of Interdisciplinary Initiatives, field001@umn.edu or 612-625-6532.