Mathematics

The Mathematics Department at MIT is a world leader in pure and applied mathematical research and education. Work in pure mathematics explores exciting current research directions in most of the major fields. Work in applied mathematics makes important connections with other disciplines that may inspire interesting and useful mathematics, and where innovative mathematical reasoning may lead to new insights and applications. The Department's applied math group focuses on biology, combinatorics, computer science, scientific computing, numerical analysis, and areas of physical applied mathematics.

The Department currently has about 50 faculty members, including many current and former faculty who have received the highest distinctions including an Abel Prize; a National Medal of Science; two MacArthur Awards; two Bôcher, two Cole, four Veblen, one Fulkerson and eight Steele Prizes. Sixteen are members of the National Academies of Science and Engineering and twenty three are members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.  The Department likewise attracts outstanding students at all levels. The graduate program trains students for top academic and industrial research positions, and typically has over 100 students enrolled, including many international students. MIT undergraduates are top performers at the Putnam Competition —in the most recent 2011 competition, 29 MIT students were among the 81 total who achieved Honorable Mention or higher.