CASA Information Sheet for PhD students
Welcome
Welcome at the Centre for Analysis, Scientific computing and Applications! To help you jump start your stay at our group and to assist you in getting started with the research, this flyer briefly summarizes whom you can contact for questions and guiding that you might need, and what we expect from you during your stay.
Seminar
At this bi-weekly meeting students study, present and discuss a certain topic from mathematics. Typically a broad topic of interest from an introductory overview to the detail of state-of-the-art approachesis chosen after duly discussion with the students. The seminar itself consists of a series of lectures given by PhD students. This not only gives you knowledge of exciting areas of mathematics that might lie outside your own research field, but will also serve to refine your lecture and presentation skills. PhD students are required to attend these lectures. These take place on alternating Wednesdays 11 -11.45 (sharp)
Colloquium
Alternating with the seminars are the colloquia, where invited speakers from industry and academia come to talk about their work. These colloquia are a great source of information, tickle your interest and furtheryour knowledge in a large variety of topics, from modeling to more theoretical mathematical topics. PhD students are required to attend these lectures. These take place on alternating Wednesdays 11 -11.45 (sharp)
Other CASA meetings
Besides the two afore-mentioned biweekly meetings there are ad hoc gatherings. One is called minisymposium and typically consists of 3 to 4 speakers during an afternoon session on a common topic. It is organised on an ad hoc basis and will be announced in time. Twice a year (autumn and spring) CASA organizes so called CASA-days where PhD's report on their progress and further outlook. Finally, there are ad hoc working groups that meet on a regular basis on a research topic of choice.
Poster
After your first year, you are expected to make a large (A0) poster, presenting your research. Every year after, as your research is advancing, you should make an update of this poster. We will hang a copy of your poster in the hallway: we are proud of the large variety of research projects of our group and like to share this with the world. Furthermore, poster presentations form the first step in presenting your work to the outside world. Many conferences offer so-called ‘poster sessions’, where you can show- off your work and attract criticism and help. For a template, see (look under "posters")
Announcement of events etc
CASA has a weekly newsletter that is sent to you by email with an overview of all relevant events, in particular talks. If you like to announce an activity you may ask the secretaries to help distributing this. There is also a screen near the secretaries with information about meetings and other events. Please also consult your pigeon hole regularly.
Teaching and learning Dutch
You may be asked assist in practicals. Part of the task involves following a course that will refine your teaching skills. For non-Dutch speaking students who would like to teach: the best way to become a teacher is to become a fluent Dutch speaker. Learning Dutch is also recommended for all others, as living in a country is much nicer if you understand the local language. The university offers courses for non-native speakers. Contact the secretaries for further details.
Website
After your arrival the secretary will take a picture of you. Your name will be added to the CASA website ( where you will also get a personal webpage. Here you can talk about research and possible interest. It is part if our PR, so make it clean and attractive.
Courses
Part of your programme duties is attending some courses. You specific educational programme will be tailored to your situation (research topic, specific knowledge). As every PhD student is automatically member of a so called "onderzoekschool" (a nationwide institution to foster interests in a certain field, literally "graduate school"), there are naturally activities that apply to you. They may include attending an annual meeting, participating in a poster session or special courses. For CASA they are either (i.e. only one) Thomas Stieltjes (general Mathematics, in particular Analysis), JM Burgers Centrum (Fluid Dynamics) and Engineering Mechanics (solid mechanics, and in our particular case also circuits etc). Details will be arranged in coordination with your advisor.
Presentations
CASA has a house style that we would like you to adhere to. If you make a presentation you are required to use the templates that can be obtained from for presentations)
ICT
There is a variety of hardware available. After arrival you will receive a PC and a user's account. There are printers throughout the building. The CASA colour printer should only be used when there is real need for coloured graphics.
CASA has two clusters for large scale computing projects: the first is called Elegast and is a Beowulf cluster of 48 processors and 48 GB of internal memory. It runs a special version of Linux and is accessible as a single machine. Since it has so many different processors that are divided over several nodes, you need special programming techniques to use its power.
The second cluster, Mariken, is built as a network of computers. Mariken has a total of 36 processors with a total of 120GB internal memory. It works much the same as Elegast and programs you write for one, also run on the other, but unlike Elegast Mariken’s nodes can also be used independently. Its largest nodes have 16 GB of internal memory and 4 processors. Running jobs on a single node has the benefit of not having to specially write code for it, and the nodes also run the major numerical software packages.
CASA offers access to most common numerical and mathematical software tools, such as Mathematica, Matlab, Comsol Multiphysics, and OpenFOAM. Furthermore, we have extended expertise in programming in C, C++, Fortran, Java, Python and C# and numerical libraries such as BLAS, LAPACK, MKL, VTK, and PetSc. If your project needs special software, this can always be discussed.
If you need advice for your programming jobs, please contact either Bas van der Linden or Ronald Rook. In consultation with your advisor they can also make a longer term arrangement to advise you on your project during your entire stay.
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edition 09-07