meet Erwin, PHD student, who finished the study programme advanced technology and pursued a master in applied mathematics.
Erwin can definitely confirm that finding a study programme after graduating high school is easier said than done. He was interested in physics, mathematics and chemistry and couldn't really make a choice which subject he preferred most. Therefore, his choice for the broad bachelor's programme in Advanced Technology made sense. After his bachelor's degree, he pursued a Master's programme in Applied Mathematics. Erwin is currently a PhD student and is involved in forecasting the weather, still using the physical and mathematical methods that he learned during his studies at University of Twente. In fact, he still hasn't made a choice and he is very satisfied with that.
PhD research in weather forecasting
It is autumn and the changeable weather causes everyone to keep a close eye on the weather forecast. 'Do I need to take an umbrella tomorrow or is a jacket sufficient?' Erwin knows exactly how it works and is not worried about it. He is currently doing PhD research in the field of weather forecasting, as well as climate and ocean forecasts at Imperial College in the United Kingdom.
How to predict the weather more efficiently?
The weather is observed, the data is collected and then converted into algorithms that allow supercomputers to calculate and to predict the weather. Unfortunately, this requires a lot of processing power. Can this be done more inexpensively by using randomness? But how do you convert this randomness (or stochasticity) into a good model? Erwin is exploring this by means of the physical knowledge that he gained and the mathematics methods that he learned during his bachelor Advanced Technology. This includes Hamiltonian mechanics, group theory, differential geometry or knowledge of how liquids work.
Applying the phenomenon of randomness
In order to be able to catch the 'errors' in the system, films are made by satellites or airplanes that fly across oceans. By applying the phenomenon of randomness, the use of a cheaper model on the supercomputers can be ensured. This model requires less time to calculate and, consequently, can get the right results cheaper and faster. How to determine whether this new model approaches the truth (i.o.w. a good prediction) can be found in mathematics. Eventually you will have a better prediction of the weather forecast, what the ocean will do or what effect it will have on the climate. This research using randomness via supercomputers can therefore be applied to different themes.
Erwin: 'During this PhD research, I work together with 80 colleagues, but also with Professor Bernard Geurts of Applied Mathematics at the University of Twente'.
chosing a study programme that suits you best
Erwin chose to study the bachelor's programme in Advanced Technology (AT) at UT because he could not really choose between mathematics, chemistry and physics. "During the AT programme, all these aspects are discussed and you can find out where your passion lies."
"One of the advantages of an AT programme is its broad set-up opens up new perspectives. It is very natural to study problems more in-depth and you can easily link to other disciplines." In the second year he focused on his mathematics courses because he was exploring the possibility of pursuing the master's programme in Applied Mathematics (AM) after completing his bachelor's. During the AT programme, you can already make preparations for a master's programme and get the necessary knowledge.
"It is interesting that you can use mathematical models to determine whether something is right, if it fits the truth. The subjects I liked best were Partial Differential Equations in which fluids are written down, Electricity and Magnetism also fascinated me. For me, the connecting factor between AT and AM was the project Engineering of Complex Systems. In a challenging way you had to deal with manipulations, modelling pictures and you could do something special with them quite quickly. Think of abstract formulations in practical or pragmatic applications. Mathematics and physics were fully covered. My choice for a master's programme was made."
A bachelor's assignment at Applied Mathematics
Advanced Technology students can carry out their bachelor's assignment at the master's that they intend to pursue after completing their bachelor's programme. Erwin did the same and chose to work on an assignment for the mathematicians Van Gils and Meijer of the department of Applied Mathematics at UT. "I had a tough assignment at Applied Mathematics: modelling epilepsy. A very nice, but certainly challenging problem. The complicated thing is to learn how a brain works. In addition to mathematics and physics, you also have to deal with biology and the human body. I learned how epilepsy develops and how it can be better maintained for the patient. Very interesting, of course, and I learned much from it", Erwin says.
A wonderful Student life
"I've had a wonderful student life. I lived in the city of Enschede, 15 minutes by bike from the campus. I was a member of the study associations of Astatine (AT) and Abacus (AM) and I was a member of the Happy Hour committee. Here, I mastered the art of draughting beer. During my time at Audentis, one of the student (social) associations at UT, I composed an almanac with fellow members. In addition to these 'fun activities', I have also been active in my Advanced Technology programme. For example, I helped out during Open Days. I was also a mentor during Student for a Day visits for high school students who accompanied me during a day to see what it is like to be a student and whether they would like AT. In addition, I cooperated a number of times in the introduction period, the KickIn. And in between I tried to win soccer games with my team members. A good time, with lots of good memories'.
What will the future bring?
Erwin: "I'm still working for one and a half years on my PhD research at Imperial College in London. I really enjoy doing scientific research, but working as a PostDoc doesn't appeal to me much. Every time you'll be working somewhere else for a short time, and I do not really want a short term job. I like to get my teeth into a big project that will keep me busy for a long time. Of course, the business world is also an option, perhaps a job within a company like ASML in the Netherlands. But who knows what will happen in the next 1 ½ years, maybe my opinion will change and I will decide for something completely different."
Find out more
Are you inspired by Erwin's story and interested to find out more about Advanced Technology? Read another story or participate in one of our study orientation activities.