The School provides a detailed introduction to molecular simulation methods, both through lectures and practical sessions. The objective is to give all students a broad understanding of simulation methods, both at the level of basic theory and of practical implementation.

The School is divided into two parts: a basic course designed to introduce students to molecular simulation methods and an advanced course where the students can study a particular subject in more depth. All students attend the basic course. Following lectures in the morning, the afternoons are devoted to practical workshops. These illustrate and expand on the topics covered in the basic course. It also gives the students the opportunity to study the underlying algorithms for a range of molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo methods and some experience of actual computational work. 

The students then specialise in one of three possible topics for the last part of the course. Here the objective is to enable the student to explore one area of simulation in greater depth.  Currently, the three options are ab initio methods, biosimulations and mesoscale methods 

In addition to the formal teaching, the students are given research lectures from both established practitioners in the art of simulation and "rising stars" Here the aim is to show students the possibilities of simulation methods setting the formal lectures in a research context. Students are also encouraged to present their own project in a poster session (and for a selected few) in a short seminar.  This both encourages the student's presentation skills in an informal, friendly environment and invariably generates a great deal of discussion. 

More details, including how to register, can be found on the website for the 2011 school, www.ccp5.ac.uk/SSCCP5/main.html