Graduate /
High Performance Computing M.Sc. SOP for the Univeristy of Edinburgh [6]
Sorry, missed some changes. Here it goes again.
I have always been interested in computers. At the age of 16, I was able to install a Linux server with the Slackware distribution, configure the different network services and have a pretty good understanding of how computers work. At the same time I wrote many programs using Visual Basic and Visual C, subjects I learned at school. I also speak fluently English, French and German.
I obtained a B.Sc. in Physics from the Autonomous University of Puebla which helped me a lot to develop my analytical skills. After completing my degree courses I did basic research at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). As part of my research I proposed a general equation for the electronic charge interchange model I worked with. Using Fortran, I developed a program that calculated the charge states of ions passing through the solar atmosphere during solar flares events. Such work was presented in the International Cosmic Ray Conference, the American Geophysical Union Annual Meeting, the Committee on Space Research Scientific Assembly, in a refereed journal and was defended as my B.Sc. dissertation work.
Next, I entered a Graduate Program in Economic Theory at the UNAM which I am in process of completing. Since then, I have had the desire to simulate economical systems for I perceive that most of the forecasts are done using econometrics rather than numerical methods, which I believe should be applied directly on the economic theory.
During the last year, I worked as a Java Junior Developer in an IT Consulting Firm in Mexico City, STO Consulting, a rapid growth enterprise. It was satisfactory that I was promoted quickly from trainee to junior programmer. My responsibilities as developer were to create new software functionalities for one of the company's products and give customer support. My most important client was a nation-wide radio company, Grupo ACIR. The application I worked with, STOFactura, is a web portal that generates electronic bills according to the local fiscal law. It comprises the use of Java, PHP, Javascript, XML and MySQL using the MVC pattern.
For the past 6 months, I have been taking a course to present the Oracle certification exam as a Java Developer. I intend to continue working this year to further develop my abilities and knowledge in the field. My goal for the next year is to interact more with the part of software design and development and, in the long term, become a software architect.
My professional objective, if I get to enter your program, is to design software that simulates and aids the visualization of physical and/or economical phenomena. I would like to use CUDA and other environments for these purposes.
I realized that, given its programme's structure, the High Performance Computing M.Sc. is perfect for me. It will allow me to acquire the knowledge I require to work with large multi-core computers such as Cray or IBM, gain a methodology to develop software that needs parallel and distributed processing, learn the basics of project leading, and re-insert myself into the professional life in a short time. I am convinced that my previous experience in physics, economics and software development, along with my interests and ambitions, will let me take full advantage of all the opportunities EPCC offers. Having the opportunity to study the HPC M.Sc. at the University of Edinburgh would be a huge step forward in my career.