Microsoft Research: www.research.microsoft.com

PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT NOTE BEFORE ENTERING

DEFINITION OF COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCE

Computational Science should not be confused with Computer Science. Computer Science projects must be entered in the Information Technology category.

For the purpose of these awards, computational science is defined as:

"The application of NEW computational and numerical techniques to solve a problem in one of the natural sciences; especially techniques which utilise improvements in computer software and hardware, computer algorithms and mathematical techniques."

Normally, students entered for the Computational Science category will either be studying subjects such as biology, chemistry, mathematics or physics, and have undertaken a project that involves computation, or will be studying computing or a computing related subject and have developed new computational techniques to solve a scientific problem.

MICROSOFT RESEARCH

Sponsor of the Computational Science Award

At Microsoft, we see no limit to the potential we all might reach because we see no limit to human imagination. That is what inspires us to create software. That is what inspires us in everything we do. Over the last three decades, technology has transformed the way we work, play, and communicate.

Today, we access information and communicate with people all around the world in an instant. Groundbreaking technologies have opened the door to innovations in every field of human endeavour, delivering new opportunities, convenience, and value to our lives. Since its foundation in 1975, Microsoft has been a leader in this transformation. As a reflection of that role, and to help us focus on the opportunities that lie ahead-we have established and embraced a new corporate mission to enable people and businesses throughout the world to realize their full potential.

This is why we are passionate about furthering the state-of-the-art in research, teaching and learning, as well as developing close partnerships with industry, governments and academia, helping people, (especially students) to realize their potential in shaping the future of society.

Microsoft Research was formed in the early 90s to advance computer science and drive innovation. Today, we have more than 650 researchers, working in more than 50 areas of computer science, located at the company�s headquarters in Redmond as well as facilities in San Francisco, Mountain View, Cambridge, Beijing and Bangalore. Microsoft Research is strongly focused on promoting outside collaboration and developing partnerships to advance technology. We believe the synergy achieved through collaboration often results in a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. Therefore, we push research beyond the laboratory to create partnerships with academic institutions.