Using Maths to solve road and telecoms traffic jams
Posted on 9 February 2001
A new postgraduate course in the Department of Mathematics, with scholarships available, will equip students with a range of mathematical and computational skills that will prepare them for careers in commerce, the public sector and industry.
Starting in September 2001, this one-year Master of Science in Data Analysis, Networks and Nonlinear Dynamics, will include training in non-linear dynamics, chaos, time-series analysis and networks with reference to 'real world' examples. Skills gained from this course can be used to monitor and manage congestion in road and rail networks. Staff from the Department of Mathematics have already demonstrated this in work with the City of York Council to reduce traffic congestion felt by buses. The analysis of internet traffic is another field which students could enter - staff are currently involved in working on telecommunications traffic network challenges with Nortel Networks.
This course is part of a new initiative funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council to promote the wider use of mathematics in information-based industries and the commercial sector. Ten EPSRC scholarships to cover fees and living expenses are available.
"The Department of Mathematics has close working links with a number of companies, including Nortel Networks, a leading global telecommunications company. The skills that the students will be taught are in great demand and visiting engineers will help students put their studies into a practical context," said Professor Mike Smith, Department of Mathematics.
Notes:
- Details of the course are available from the Graduate Admissions Secretary, Department of Mathematics, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD
- Nortel Networks and other industrial companies have played a part in designing the MSc course and will have a continuing role in assuring the relevance of the taught courses to the needs of industry.