Graduate School: Aachen Institute for Advanced Study in Computational Engineering Science (AICES)

The AICES programme aims to provide an integrated and highly interdisciplinary, fast-track, research-oriented training programme from Bachelor's to doctoral level by overlapping the start of doctoral research with Master's thesis work.
Master's students at the AICES Graduate School acquire fundamental knowledge in natural sciences, engineering and mathematics which enables them to analyse results and critically question simulation algorithms or mathematical models. They learn how to choose, adapt or programme simulation software for a specific problem. These capabilities, as well as the application of high-performance computers in the process, are necessary in order to meet the scientific and technological challenges of the future. Upon successful completion of the Master's programme, our students generally continue their studies in pursuit of a doctoral degree.
Holders of a Master's or "Diplom" degree can also start directly at AICES. The doctoral phase of the Graduate School is open to a limited number of extremely well-qualified students with a substantial background in their proposed field of study. Doctoral work is expected to last about three years.
Research projects leading to a doctoral degree (Dr rer nat, Dr-Ing) are offered in, but are not limited to, the following topics: computational modelling, numerical methods for PDEs, optimisation and optimal control, inverse problems, computational materials science, computational geoscience, computational biology, bioinformatics, imaging, as well as high-performance computing.

Educational organisation

Various programmes are offered for Bachelor's students entering the Master's phase, e.g.:

• Master in Computational Engineering Science (consecutive, requires a Bachelor in Computational Engineering) with mandatory courses e.g. in computer science, mathematics, process systems engineering, materials science
• Master of Simulation Sciences (non-consecutive) in cooperation with GRS, with mandatory courses e.g. in physics, computer science, numerical methods

The time required to complete a doctorate starting with a Bachelor's degree is shortened in the AICES programme by a novel advisory concept in which doctoral candidates are supervised by both a senior faculty member and a junior research group leader at the advanced postdoctoral or junior professor level.
All selected applicants receive a research assistantship for one year during the Master's phase with the option to extend for a further year upon positive evaluation, and a stipend of 2,000 EUR per month during the doctoral phase.

Forms of assessment

For the Master's degree: written and oral examinations, project work
For the doctoral degree: doctoral thesis and defence

Course objectives

The scientific focus is on modelling, simulation, and optimisation, with a common emphasis on the multiscale and multiphysics nature of most problems in the application areas: materials science, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, and geoscience.

Language requirements

TOEFL, IELTS

Academic requirements

• A recent Bachelor's degree in engineering including computational engineering and bioengineering, geoscience, mathematics, physics or computer science
• evidence of English language skills
• outstanding academic achievement evident from transcripts and other application materials

Enrolment fees

All students are subject to a student service fee of currently approx. 230 EUR per semester.

Costs of living

The average cost of living and studying, including food, accommodation, personal and social expenses, and study-related costs, is estimated to be 700-900 EUR per month.

Funding opportunities within the university

A limited number of scholarships from various organisations is available to help students finance their studies. Please see the following website for a list of exchange programmes, scholarships, and grants, together with their specific application requirements and conditions, and/or contact the International Office directly for advice and assistance.
http://www.rwth-aachen.de/scholarships

Arrival support

The Service Team of the AICES Graduate School (contact Vanessa Schiffers at admission@aices.rwth-aachen.de) assists fellows with administrative issues.
The International Office's InfoServiceCentre (ISC) provides information and services for international students at RWTH Aachen University upon their arrival in Aachen.

Services and support for international students

The Service Team of the AICES Graduate School (contact Vanessa Schiffers at admission@aices.rwth-aachen.de) assists fellows with administrative issues.
German language course (starting in August); intensive course guidance and counselling; sports and social activities

Accommodation

RWTH Aachen University has a limited number of dormitory rooms and studio apartments. However, there are usually waiting lists for these rooms and students will probably need to find private accommodation first. There are a number of options for finding private accommodation in and around Aachen.
For a furnished room, the average rent per month is about 200 to 250 EUR and for a two to three room flat, the average rent per month starts at 300 EUR. Please note that there are only a very limited number of family apartments in the university dorms, which is why students who bring their spouses or families with them will most likely need to find private accommodation.
For short-term accommodation, there are many hotels and a youth hostel.