For Asif Mostafa, the Master’s Degree Programme in High-Performance Computing (HPC) with a physics concentration at JYU brings together his two passions — computer science and physics. Motivated by a desire to understand how advanced computational methods can simulate and analyse complex physical systems, he has found the programme both intellectually challenging and rewarding. At first, he thought HPC was only about coding and using clusters, but he soon realised that it is much more than that — it is about solving big and complex problems.
I knew I was entering a field that would bridge my two passions, computer science and physics, when I enrolled in the University of Jyväskylä's Master’s Programme in High-Performance Computing (HPC) with a physics concentration. Understanding how sophisticated computational methods can be used to simulate and analyse complex physical systems was my primary driving force.
At first, I thought HPC was only about coding and using clusters. But soon I realised it’s much more than that. It’s about solving big and complex problems.
HPC brings together computation and real-world physics
In this programme, we learn both the theory and the practical side of High-Performance Computing. It starts with parallel programming tools like MPI, OpenMP, and CUDA, and continues to explore how we can use them to solve real physics problems such as quantum systems, superconductivity, and nanotechnology. The studies keep a good balance — the physics projects help us understand real phenomena, and the programming tasks improve our skills in efficiency and scalability.
At first, I thought HPC was only about coding and using clusters. But soon I realised it’s much more than that. It’s about solving big and complex problems. It teaches us how to use computing power wisely, handle large data, and make algorithms run faster to explore the mysteries of nature.
In addition to teaching you how to operate supercomputers, this programme teaches you how to think like a researcher and model, compute, and comprehend complex systems at all levels.
Alongside my studies, I started working as a Research Trainee in the Thermal Nanophysics and Superconducting Devices group. There, I get to apply what I’ve learnt directly to experimental research — such as noise analysis, cryogenic measurements, and SQUID-based superconducting device characterisation. This hands-on experience has been crucial in understanding how computation and experiment can go hand in hand.
The JYU community encourages cross-disciplinary curiosity
The open academic atmosphere at JYU is what I value most about it; teachers are friendly and cross-disciplinary cooperation is welcomed. Students from computer science, mathematics, and physics come together at HPC to create a diverse learning environment where everyone helps one another.
In addition to teaching you how to operate supercomputers, this programme teaches you how to think like a researcher and model, compute, and comprehend complex systems at all levels. It seems like the best route for me to pursue a job in experimental and computational physics.
Read more: Master's Degree Programme in High-Performance Computing
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