International Master Semester in Mathematics


This is a one semester programme, where  a current topic is studied intensively and profoundly at an advanced level. The aims are similar to those of the Master Class, the main difference being that the international
master semester is shorter and more intensive. In this way the International Master Semester is more suitable as an activity complementary to ongoing studies at the home university.  The programme
can form also  a significant contribution to a PhD programme or preparation for one.


The semester  includes two full days of lectures and seminars per week and individual work on a test problem. The emphasis is on independent, individual effort, but contact with lecturers is personal and intensive. Lecturers give feedback using the work turned in by participants, as well as extensive exercise material. There is a weekly consultation hour for individual questions. Regular evaluation and testing guarantees the quality of the programme.

The 2007 semester, which runs between February 1 and  May 31 2007, is devoted to:

This International Master Semester is Cancelled !!!

Geometry in the Sciences 

Non-trivial techniques from Geometry and Topology are frequently applied in disciplines like Physics, Astrophysics, Computer Vision and Shape Analysis, Computer Graphics, Geometric Modeling, Biomolecular Modeling and Robotics. Issues here are modeling phenomena in nature at very small or very large scale, modeling geometric objects or the extraction and reconstruction of such objects from large data sets. Objects are subject to motion and deformation in which not only their geometry, but also their topology can change.

A key role is played by concepts and results from Differential Geometry (like curvature in General Relativity), from Differential Topology (like Morse Theory in the evolution of shapes), from Singularity Theory (e.g., for the description of the Medial Axis and other skeletal structures), from Homology Theory (e.g., for the computation of Betti numbers for the classification of objects and patterns in spatial data), and from Mechanics and kinematics (e.g., for modeling and planning of motion and deformation). More and more, these topics are subject of multidisciplinary research, in which input from mathematics is steadily becoming more important.

This International Master Semester aims at presenting the mathematical background of geometric aspects of science for advanced MSc-students and beginning PhD-students in mathematics, and in mathematically oriented disciplines like theoretical physics, astrophysics and computer science.

Course information is available here.

This International Master Semester is Cancelled !!!  We aim to schedule it again in one of the next years,  probably spring 2009.

However, the course on Geometry and Physics will be offered (under the name Dynamical Systems) as part of the Dutch Master program in Mathematics. See MRI courses Spring 2007

For more information about the semester and about studying in the Netherlands, please see

the 2007/2008 brochure.

The Master Class aims at students in their last undergraduate year or recently graduated students (Master students, of beginning PhD students) that are interetsed in this subject. There will be a limited number of fellowships that the dutch Mathematical Research Institute will be able to offer. Participants needing financial support are advised to approach potential sponsors individually, through their own universities or international institutions, for example. Please take a look at: http://www.nuffic.nl/huygens/.

The final application deadline for the Semester that commences on February 1, 2007 is:

                                                 September 15, 2006


This International Master Semester is Cancelled !!!

To apply for theInternational Master Semester send the following documents to the secretariat of the MRI:

  • curriculum vitae (including the following details: first name, surname, date of birth, nationality, address, postal code, city, country, phone number, fax, email address)
  • academic record: list of subjects/classes taken at university, subjects for degree examination, photocopy of diploma (if available)
  • recommendations from members of the academic staff of the home university (at least one)
  • a summary of financial circumstances (if financial support is necessary).


The address of the secretariat of the MRI is:

Jean Arthur & Hans Gooszen (Secretary of the MRI)
Utrecht University
P.O.Box 80010
3508 TA  Utrecht
The Netherlands
 
Phone: +31-30-2531472
Fax: +31-30-2518394
e-mail: mri@math.uu.nl