Computer simulation has emerged over the last few decades as the third leg of science, joining theory and experiment at the core of the scientific method. This has particularly profound effects in engineering: from the stability of structures to the flow in oil reservoirs or the design of combustion chambers, it is impossible to envisage much of modern science and engineering without advanced, high performance computer simulation.

The ever-increasing prominence of this technology in engineering has created a requirement for professionals to be able to employ simulation technology in research and practice. It also creates a demand for scientists and engineers with the special set of skills required to advance the current state of simulation technology itself so that the benefits can be applied to ever more challenging problems using ever advanced computational hardware.

Demand for engineers capable of employing simulation technology is a challenge which engineering departments can and often do meet by providing appropriate training in undergraduate and graduate programmes. However, there is no natural source for the combination of computing, mathematical and physics skills which are required of those who advance the field of simulation technology itself.

This is a truly interdisciplinary field that requires graduates with advanced programming skills, a deep understanding of numerical and applied analysis and a thorough education in fluids, structures or any other field of application. The area is ideally suited to a CDT approach, which would provide a strong foundation in core computing, mathematical and physics skills and the versatility to apply these to diverse application areas. It would produce highly trained individuals who would fill a current and growing skills gap in both academia and industry.