26 January- 06 February 2019
Premier Resort Sani Pass, Drakensberg
The Summer School is jointly organised by the Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC) of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and the National Institute for Theoretical Physics (NITheP). This specific Summer School is motivated by a concept paper of the South African Department of Science and Technology (DST) that explores the possibility to broaden the scope of NITheP into a national institute/centre for theoretical and computational science.
Aim of the School
The School is aimed at postgraduate students in the fields of physics, chemistry, mathematics, applied mathematics, biology, bioinformatics, computer science, engineering with an interest in both theoretical and computational science. In particular the School aims at bridging the gap between theoretical studies and high performance computing.
The School will start with a Basic Scientific Programming Course to introduce students to Linux (Ubuntu) Command line and bash scripting and the Python programming Language. This will be followed by introductions to topics as
and advanced tutorials and workshops to put the theoretical material into practice. The School is structured in such a way to encourage students to actively solve challenging problems that the lectures will pose. Students will learn by doing!
School Syllabus
The School syllabus will cover:
Introduction to Linux. It will cover basic introduction to Linux command line, bash scripting and Introduction to PBS Pro and job submission at CHPC (Dr Krishna Govender, Centre for High Performance Computing, CSIR).
Introduction to Python Programming: It will cover basic of python and syntax, advanced function and using matplotlib with python and the use of advanced mathematical packages such as numpy and scipy (Dr Andrew Gill, Centre for High Performance Computing, CSIR).
Foundations of Theoretical Physics [Title to be confirmed] (Prof Neil Turok, Perimeter Institute)
The Square Kilometer Array and Its Science: Indirect imaging in the SKA era; Real time classification at SKA-scale for time domain astrophysics; Data-centric machine learning for SKA post-processing (Prof Anna Scaife, University of Manchester)
Foundations of Quantum Technology [Title to be confirmed] (Prof Artur Ekert, National University of Singapore and University of Oxford)
Foundations of Quantum Biology and Chemistry [Title to be confirmed] (Prof Birgitta Whaley, University of California, Berkeley)
Computational Biology (Prof Johann Rohwer)
Application and Registration
The CHPC and NITheP call for all talented students to submit their applications. As public funded institutions, the CHPC and NITheP support the transformation of South Africa and thus the School organizers highly encourage students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds to submit their applications. Applicants that require a sponsorship must be registered for postgraduate (MSc and PhD) degrees in Science and Engineering with South African Universities. A background of scientific programming skills and basic Linux will be an advantage. It is a requirements that ALL SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS MUST BRING THEIR OWN LAPTOPS.
The CHPC and NIThep will cover cost for travel and accommodation of students selected to attend the school. We would like to encourage Institutions and supervisors to financially support their students (e.g. travel cost). Due to budgetary reasons, only a limited number of scholarships is available for suitably qualified students. Should you wish to attend the School, kindly complete the application form and register online before the closing date.
Important dates
Arrival at Venue: 25 January 2018
School start: 26 January 2018
Closing date for scholarship applications: 18h00 Sunday 04 November 2018
Notification of Successful Candidates: will be notified by 30 November 2018
Closing dates for registration (not sponsored applicants): 25 November 2018
School end: 6 February 2018
Departure day: 7 February 2018
School Organizing Committee
Prof Francesco Petruccione (UKZN & NITheP)
Dr Maria Schuld (UKZN & NITheP)
Prof Amanda Weltman (UCT)
Dr. Daniel Moeketsi (CHPC, CSIR))
Dr Krishna Govender (CHPC, CSIR)
General Inquiries
For general inquiries please contact: Dr. Daniel Moeketsi at dmoeketsi@csir.co.za and Prof. Francesco Petruccione at petruccione@ukzn.ac.za