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HGS MathComp - Where Methods Meet Applications

The Heidelberg Graduate School of Mathematical and Computational Methods for the Sciences (HGS MathComp) at Heidelberg University is one of the leading graduate schools in Germany focusing on the complex topic of Scientific Computing. Located in a vibrant research environment, the school offers a structured interdisciplinary education for PhD students. The program supports students in pursuing innovative PhD projects with a strong application-oriented focus, ranging from mathematics, computer science, bio/life-sciences, physics, and chemical engineering sciences to cultural heritage. A strong focus is put on the mathematical and computational foundations: the theoretical underpinnings and computational abstraction and conception.

HGS MathComp Principal Investigators are leading experts in their fields, working on projects that combine mathematical and computational methodology with topical research issues. Individual mentoring for PhD candidates and career development programs ensure that graduates are fully equipped to take up top positions in industry and academia.

01.04.2025 - 02.04.2025
09:00 - 17:00
Key Competences
Conference Presentation: Engaging the Listener in Your Talk
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Compact Courses
Speaker: Julie Stearns (impulsplus)
Location: Präsenz in Heidelberg
Registration: Please register on the event website
Organizer: Graduate Academy
ECTS: 2
This course is part of the course program of the Graduate Academy. Please note that this course will be held in English.

The latest information and a registration link are available on the course website (log in with Uni-ID).

HGS MathComp fellows can get a reimbursement of the course fees. Please submit your proof of payment and certificate of participation to hgs@iwr.uni-heidelberg.de.

Objectives

"Wow, that presenter is so good in front of an audience. If only that were easier for me!" Being a good speaker is often just a question of developing a set of skills and techniques. The use of voice and body language, an effective presentation structure and the dynamic use of language require awareness and practice. The workshop helps to identify and explore these requirements, from self-reflection to self-assurance and long-term excellence.

Description

This seminar provides participants with the opportunity to improve their conference presentation skills. Constructive feedback from the trainer and group members give the speaker a healthy amount of input while practicing new ideas and techniques to enhance the quality of their speech and overall impact of the talk.

Participants will be required to prepare a 3 to 5 minute overview of their work; the use of slides is optional. This will provide a basis for applying the practical aims of the workshop.

Throughout the two-day workshop, participants will be guided through interactive exercises to improve non-verbal communication, improve the ability to listen and react generously, and to integrate focusing techniques, which empower the speaker. Attention will also be given to structural and language aspects to improve clarity and flow of the talk.

Contents in Brief

- Effectively introducing yourself
- Engaging the audience in your talk
- Affirming the strengths and individual style of the speaker
- Improving body language and vocal quality
- Structuring your talk
- Constructive tactics for dealing with nervousness
- Dealing with challenging questions (Q&A sessions)
- Networking at conferences

Methods

- Voice and body techniques
- Partner work
- Language practice and analysis
- Interactive activities with online tools
- Videotaping and feedback sessions
 
07.04.2025 - 11.04.2025
10:00 - 14:30
Theory & Methods
Romberg Course: Quantifying extreme events in uncertain systems
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Compact Courses
Speaker: Prof. Georg Stadler • New York University • Romberg Visiting Scholar
Location: Mathematikon • Seminar Room 9, 4th floor • Im Neuenheimer Feld 205, 69120 Heidelberg
Registration: Please register here • Registration open until April 3, 2025
Organizer: HGS MathComp
ECTS: 2
This course is part of the HGS MathComp Romberg Program.

The course will consist of 90-minute theory sessions in the morning (10-12) and practical sessions on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon (1-2:30).

In systems with uncertain parameters or white noise forcing, one often focuses on low-order statistics such as means and variances. However, when rare/extreme events have severe consequences-such as hurricanes, energy grid blackouts, or building collapses-estimating tail probabilities becomes crucial. This mini-course will first discuss the challenges of rare event probability estimation. It will then introduce key methods for exploring tail probabilities, including importance sampling, subset simulation, and optimization-based techniques for identifying dominating points in rare event sets.

Prerequisites: Basic undergraduate Probability, Optimization and Analysis.
 
10.04.2025
09:00 - 13:00
Key Competences
Effective Visual Communication of Science
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Compact Courses
Speaker: Dr. Jernej Zupanc (Seyens)
Location: Online
Registration: Please register on the event website
Organizer: Graduate Academy
ECTS: 0.5
This course is part of the course program of the Graduate Academy. Please note that this course will be held in English.

The latest information and a registration link are available on the course website (log in with Uni-ID).

HGS MathComp fellows can get a reimbursement of the course fees. Please submit your proof of payment and certificate of participation to hgs@iwr.uni-heidelberg.de.

Aim:
You will learn to visually communicate your complex research ideas and results so your messages are effortlessly understood by any specific audience (scientists or non-scientists). We will not focus on aesthetics but on how understanding human visual perception can inform your design decision for better comprehension of your scientific images, posters, and slides. You will also design a graphical abstract of your research, discuss it with peer scientists in a group exercise, and get actionable advice and feedback on your own materials. It is an immersive workshop, comprehensive, structured, memorable, easy to follow, useful and fun. More at https://www.seyens.com

Contents & Method:

The training is offered as blended learning that combines a self-study module and a live online workshop. All participants get 12 month access to all materials.

1. Self-study via an online platform (6-8 hours of engaging video content & a useful assignment):
1.1. Communicating with scientific vs non-scientific audiences
1.2. Visual perception and what humans find intuitive
1.3. Layout: simplifying comprehension through structured layout
1.4. Eye-flow: effortlessly guide the audience through the design
1.5. Colors: how to amplify, not ‘fancify’
1.6. Typography for legibility, structure and aesthetics
1.7. Digital images in science: the optimal use of vector and raster images
1.8. Slides that amplify messages and don't distract when presenting
1.9. Posters: strategy and process for creating posters that attract and explain
1.10. Homework: participants submit images and slides to the trainer to receive feedback
2. Live Online Workshop (April 10, 2025, 9 am – 1 pm via Zoom, interactive and hands-on)
2.1. Recap of fundamentals and Q&A: trainer facilitates an effective recap of lessons learned in self-study module and answers all further questions.
2.2. Exercises & group work: participants draw a graphical abstract of their research and share their posters and we form groups so everyone gives and receives informed feedback.

Discussion on pre-submitted materials: participants receive actionable suggestions on how to improve their own images and slides from the trainer and on posters from fellow researchers.