The development of the mathematical sciences is an important part of teaching and research at Peking University. During the past 90 years, thanks to the painstaking efforts and hard work of several generations, the field of mathematics at Peking University takes on a new look. It continues its strides in teaching, research and other related work; it has a large contingent of outstanding mathematicians and computer scientists -- 16 graduates have been elected as members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; and it has several thousands of undergraduates, over 600 Master's degree graduates, and around 100 Doctoral graduates who are engaged in many fields in and outside the country -- some work as core members in their respective fields, some work as prominent entrepreneurs, and some have received acclaim from all circles in society.
The School of Mathematical Sciences is now composed of five departments: Department of Mathematics, Department of Probability and Statistics, Department of Scientific and Engineering Computing, Department of Informatics, and Department of Financial Mathematics. As a research organization approved by the State Education Commission, now the Ministry of education, the Institute of Mathematics at Peking University is closely integrated with the School of Mathematical Sciences, while the Institute of Mathematical Statistics combines with the Department of Probability and Statistics. The State Special Laboratory of Mathematics and Application was set up after the approval of the State Education Commission (now the Ministry of education). Mathematics Research and the High Level Talents Training Center in the University, under the State Education Commission, is within the School of Mathematical Sciences. The editorial departments of several national academic magazines such as Advances in Mathematics and Approximation Theory and its Applications are also in the School of Mathematical Sciences.
The undergraduate program of the School of Mathematical Science has been selected by the state as the Natural Science Basic Research and Teaching Personnel Training Center. The School seeks to strengthen its students' command of basic knowledge, encourage its students to select courses outside their respective majors, teach its students in accordance with their aptitude, and improve their ability to adjust to society. All students from the five departments will take approximately the same compulsory courses during their first two years. These courses include: mathematical analysis, high algebra, high geometry, theory of probability, computer sciences, English, political science, physics and physical sciences. Beginning in their second academic year, students can select part of the courses offered by the School according to the requirements of different departments; some courses are required courses for some departments while serving as optional courses for other departments. The School offers many special courses: ordinary differential equation, partial differential equation, real function, complex function, functional analysis, abstract algebra, differential geometry, topology, measure theory, mathematical statistics, applied stochastic process, applied time series analysis, applied multivariate statistical analysis, experimental design and quality management, sampling investigation, statistical computation, insurance mathematics, mathematical modeling, numerical value algebra, numerical value analysis, computing fluid mechanics, data structure, software design and optimization, discrete mathematics, general introduction to information science, model identification, artificial intelligence, decision making and optimization, etc. Students can also select courses offered by other schools or departments such as the School of Economics, School of Management, Department of Law, or Department of Computer Sciences.
Graduates trained at this School have established a solid foundation of basic theories and amassed a wide range of knowledge. Having undergone rigorous mathematical training and technical computer training, they can adjust themselves to different circumstances. Graduates of the School are fully prepared for scientific research; teaching in the various fields related to mathematics or inter- disciplinary fields such as the computer sciences, information sciences and financial insurance, as well as high tech units; and, applied research in the areas of scientific development or management. Some graduates can also further their studies by pursuing Master's and Doctoral degrees in mathematics or other related subjects; outstanding undergraduates can be recommended to continue for Master's degree without taking qualifying examinations.
Approved by the Academic Degree Committee of the State Council, the School of Mathematical Sciences is able to confer Doctoral degrees to students in every field of the mathematical sciences as long as the student has completed the required courses and dissertation, and meets the requirements for Doctoral degrees. The School opens a total of 145 compulsory and optional courses for students. According to the short term plan, each year the School enrolls 30 Doctoral candidates, 50 to 60 Master's candidates, and 160 undergraduates, as well as 60 students for a professional training course titled, "Applied Software". Presently, 87 Doctoral students, 127 Master's students, and 548 undergraduates are students of the School. The four doctoral subjects within the School have post-doctoral research stations. Additionally, in order to contribute to advanced research and teaching personnel for the nation, each year the School hosts a certain number of visiting scholars and teachers.
The School of Mathematical Sciences has a contingent of teachers and researchers with extensive research interests, profound knowledge, and well-knit scholarly work. The School has over 140 teachers, among which 5 are members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2 are members of the Third World Academy of Sciences, 70 are full professor, 44 are associate professors, and 38 are doctoral supervisors. The School not only has a number of old professors who are outstanding scholars and academic leaders in mathematical circles around the nation such as Duan Xuefu (Algebra), Cheng Mingde (Analysis, Information Science), Jiang Boju (Topology), Kung-ching CHANG(Analysis), and Shi Qingyun (Information Science), but also a number of knowledgeable middle-aged teachers, who have high academic attainments and are specialized in different fields, comprising the mainstream in research and teaching. More gratifying is that, since the mid-1980's, a large number of young scholars, who have be enconferred Doctoral and Master's degree by foreign universities, have gradually returned to join the faculty of the School. These young scholars are very active in academic thinking, experienced and knowledgeable, and full of vigor and vitality. With the support and assistance from elder professors, these young scholars play an important role in research and teaching; some of them have become academic leaders in their respective fields.
Since 1978, the School of Mathematical Sciences (including the former Department of Mathematics and Department of Probability and Statistics) have sent over 100 faculty members to countries and regions including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Australia, former Soviet Union, Russia, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Finland, Poland, Japan, Republic of Korea, Canada, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan to either study or conduct cooperative research. The School has also sent dozens of scholars outside the country each year for short term visiting or attending international conferences. In the meantime, the School tries every possible way to invite world renowned mathematicians to give lectures, numbering around 20 every year. For instance, the famous mathematicians and Wolfe Award winners S.S. Chern, F. Hirzebruch, K. Ito, as well as Fields Award winners S. Smale and Shing Tung Yau, and others have been invited to give academic lectures at the School of Mathematical Sciences. Furthermore, S.S.Chern and Fan Ky are Honorary Professors of Peking University; C. Asano, Shui Kee Chow, P.Griffiths, L. De Haan, C.C. Lin, Shing Tung Yau are Guest Professors of Peking University.
The School of Mathematical Sciences has a very good environment for fostering young talents; meanwhile, it has established a number of scholarships for students including the Three-A Students Scholarship, Newcomer Scholarship, Model Student Scholarship, Outstanding Students Scholarship, Guanghua Scholarship, Aetna Scholarship, Huikai Scholarship, Motorola Scholarship, Orient Overseas Container Line Ltd. Scholarship, Sumitomo Bank Scholarship, Baoshan Iron and Steel Company Scholarship, P & G Scholarship, Huawei Scholarship, Jiang Zehan Scholarship, Xu Baolu Scholarship, Nine-Chapter Mathematics Scholarship, etc. In addition, the School of Mathematical Sciences established special scholarships such as the "Promoting China Scholarship", with an annual fund of 180,000 Yuan RMB, and the "Talents Project Fund in Year 2002" with a total sum of 200,000 Yuan RMB.
The School of Mathematical Sciences at Peking University enjoys a glorious tradition, strong faculty, and excellent academic atmosphere. It is the best place for people deeply engrossed in mathematical sciences; it is a sacred place for scholars engaged in mathematical sciences and computer science research; and it is the first choice for students at the starting line of their lives.
For more details, please refer to:
http://www.math.pku.edu.cn
