Chapter 985 Young man, do you want to study for a doctorate?

Putting aside the great joys and sorrows of Professor Jameson, for most ordinary contestants, they are more concerned about the question itself.

Needless to say, the last two questions are purely about testing basic skills, and the first question seems very abstract, but it actually tests standard knowledge points.

If the contestants can master the discrete element method, then the difficulty will be minimal and it can be completed in one day at most.

And if you have never been exposed to discrete elements, there is no need to think about it.

The infinite element method is even less popular, and the relevant theory is still imperfect.

If any contestant can use this thing to achieve the same effect as discrete elements, he or she must first perfect a series of algorithms on his or her own and then write a computational program that can run.

If anyone has this ability, there is no need to participate in the competition below.

You can just send out an invitation letter on the spot and treat him as a special guest.

Please sit directly on the podium.jpg

As for the traditional three methods: finite difference method, finite element method and finite volume method, even from the names you can tell that they are not suitable for solving this type of infinite area problem.

If we force the solution, neither the computational efficiency nor the accuracy will be ideal.

In fact, with the level of most contestants, there is a high probability that they will directly get a divergent result...

So, it is better to go directly to the last two questions.

Anyway, the two highest scores will be taken in the end, and the competition system allows and even encourages players to make trade-offs.

"Teacher, these questions seem to be... the type that COMSOL is better at?"

In the computer room of Torch Laboratory, Li Yabo sat in front of the screen, looking at the topic description document in front of him and asked:

"Your question... is really completely randomly selected?"

When the numerical computing competition was decided at the end of last year, Li Yabo specifically asked Chang Haonan whether he needed to participate.

Later, on the one hand, it was out of consideration to avoid suspicion, and on the other hand, Li Yabo now had a report in Nature and a major special national defense project in hand, so he really didn't need these false names.

Anyway, I didn’t sign up.

But even though he didn't participate in the competition, Li Yabo was still paying attention to the situation of the competition.

Moreover, as a member of Torch Labs, he is also quite familiar with his own products and main competitors.

It can even be said that in Torch Group, apart from Chang Haonan himself, the person who is most proficient in using COMSOL Multiphysics is Li Yabo.

Therefore, almost as soon as he saw the question, he made the same judgment as Jameson on the other side of the ocean.

Even the feelings are the same——

Li Yabo also believed that Chang Haonan had to take advantage of the organizer's advantage to gain a relatively advantageous position.

"Ahem—of course."

Chang Haonan cleared his throat and put on a clear conscience:

“The most important thing in academic research is to seek truth from facts.”

"When I run a competition, I only have three main themes: fairness! fairness! And fairness!"

"We can't have everything go our way just because we're the organizer, right? That would be too outrageous!"

"Just be yourself at the most critical point..."

Of course, he said the last sentence in his heart.

Otherwise it will affect his image as a great and glorious mentor.

Despite this, Li Yabo still looked at Chang Haonan with suspicion.

It was obvious that he didn't believe it.

"It's true that academics need to be pragmatic, but I think this competition is more like a business..."

Li Yabo starts by seeing the essence through the phenomenon.

Chang Haonan glanced at the other person with a teachable look:

"It's just a preliminary round. It won't affect the overall situation."

"Besides, since the theme of this competition has been determined to be computational fluid dynamics, the questions we come up with will not deviate from this circle."

Li Yabo did not refute this time.

But I still felt like something was not quite right.

The results of the preliminary round will not affect the overall situation, because most of the participating teams will choose to participate in the more proficient TORCH Multiphysics even out of caution.

However, the topics for the preliminary round and the engineering documents that will enter the semi-finals will be displayed on the official website of the competition (public execution).

If everyone finds out that one or several of the top-ranked teams actually used competing products, it would at least not be a proud thing for the Torch Group.

Considering that there is nearly a month between the preliminary round and the final, it is not ruled out that some teams will choose to join the COMSOL camp.

Of course, the advantages accumulated by Torch Group will not be shaken because of one game.

But based on Li Yabo's understanding of Chang Haonan over the past two years, he doesn't think the latter will allow this situation to happen.

"Is there something else going on in these questions?"

As he thought this, he turned his attention back to the computer screen in front of him.

Seeing Li Yabo already in a dilemma, Chang Haonan decided to divert his attention:

"That's right, Yabo."

"Remember to organize your work recently and delete any sensitive content."

The former turned his head, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.

"According to the plan at the end of last year, the school will pilot a round of centralized master-to-doctoral transfers this summer, and our college has a total of three places."

Chang Haonan explained:

"After passing the exam, you will be directly enrolled in a PhD program from undergraduate studies. This year you will finish your second year of master's studies, and next year you will be directly enrolled in your third year of doctoral studies. Normally, you will be able to obtain a doctorate by the fifth year."

"Also, if your achievements are sufficient... I can also consider applying for early graduation for you."

Upon hearing the news, Li Yabo's eyes lit up.

He is definitely going to complete his PhD.

However, these days, there is no policy for undergraduates to directly pursue a doctorate.

Unless there are special circumstances, you have to study for a master's degree first.

Li Yabo was indeed an excellent undergraduate, but he was obviously still a few points behind Chang Haonan back then, so naturally he did not receive any special treatment.

The theoretical duration of a doctoral program starting from a master's degree is 3.5 years, but in most cases it is actually 4 years.

If you are successful in transferring from a master's degree to a doctorate, you can save at least two years.

"Teacher, is the assessment format for this master's to doctoral transfer similar to graduation defense or recommendation interview?"

The two things seem similar, but the key points required for preparation are completely different.

"Um……"

In fact, Chang Haonan really doesn’t know clearly.

In fact, considering Li Yabo's situation and Chang Haonan's identity, it would be enough for him to just go there and go through the motions.

But this kind of thing is enough to know in your heart, it is definitely impossible to say it out loud:

"Just prepare it in the form of a graduation defense."

He thought for a moment and replied:

"Graduate students... in the end, it all comes down to scientific research."

"As long as your research results are sufficient, it doesn't matter what form it takes..."

Li Yabo obviously wanted to ask something else, but at this moment, Chang Haonan's cell phone rang.

It’s the laboratory’s administrative assistant, Liu Chenchen.

"Teacher Liu?"

He pressed the answer button and put it to his ear.

"Professor Chang, an engineer named Yan Zhongcheng has just come to see you. He is waiting in the reception room. Please see..."

This name made Chang Haonan stunned.

He was the chief designer of the WP-14 and later QC130 projects.

He is also Chang Haonan’s old leader.

However, since the WS-10 project was launched, Yan Zhongcheng has focused his main energy on aviation-derivative gas turbines, so the two have not had any work-level interactions for some years.

"Take him to my office. I'm in the computer room and will be there soon."

It is impossible to talk about important things on the phone.

Therefore, after Chang Haonan hung up the phone, he briefly said a few words to Li Yabo, then turned around and left the computer room and went upstairs.