A new applied math MSc is about to be born in Budapest – a centre for applied mathematical research, indicated by the presence of such institutions as Morgan Stanley or Ericsson. Their decision on creating and continuously developing their research centres is based on the traditionally strong mathematical education in Hungary, especially in Budapest
.
At our institute at the Faculty of Science at Eötvös Loránd University there are renowned professors e.g. András Frank or Tamás Szőnyi, who are devoted to enthusiastic teaching at the highest level. We have been established an MSc in theoretical maths already, but we saw the increasing interest from foreign students towards a more application-oriented masters degree. So eventually we have worked out a curriculum, which provides sound theoretical background, and at the same time substantial practical knowledge and experience as well.
Even in our MSc in applied maths, taught in Hungarian we put more and more emphasis on hands-on experience with real life problems. This is kept in the English version as well, e.g. the course, titled “individual project work” is part of this new program as well – ensuring that the students may gain first-hand experience from industrial problems.
Our aim is to attract students from over Europe, thus we presented our idea at the meeting of the ECMI educational committee in February, where it has gained general support. So we can be hopeful that after a thorough inspection it will be acknowledged as an ECMI master education, being attractive to students from across Europe. Besides our program it may be a factor that Budapest is a lively city, loved by young people.
András Zempléni
vice director, Mathematical Institute
Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest
