CHENNAI MATHEMATICAL INSTITUTE

The Chennai Mathematical Institute (CMI) was started as part of the Southern Petrochemical Industries Corporation's (SPIC), 'Science Foundation' in 1989.  Named as the School of Mathematics when it was first founded, it became an independent institution in 1996 and was renamed as SPIC Mathematical Institute.  Very recently it was again renamed as the Chennai Mathematical Institute.  The Institute, which is set up under a Trust, is managed by a Governing Council made up of eminent personalities from both academic and non-academic backgrounds. The academic matters of the Institute are guided by its Research Advisory Committee, which includes highly respected scientists from both India and abroad.

The Institute has until now focussed on developing into a strong centre of research in Mathematics and Computer Science. Professor C. S. Seshadri, F.R.S., an internationally renowned mathematician, has been heading the Institute since its inception. Professor P. S. Thiagarajan, who is well known internationally for his work in the theory of Distributed Computing, leads the Computer Science group.  The main areas of research in Mathematics pursued at the Institute are Algebraic Geometry, Algebraic Groups and Topology. In Computer Science, the main areas of research in the Institute are formal methods for the specification and verification of Reactive Systems, Timed and Hybrid Systems, the Theory of Logic Programming, the Theory of Distributed Systems, Design and Analysis of Algorithms, and Complexity Theory.

The Institute has a talented group of young faculty member, who have strong academic ties with reputed institutions in India and abroad. The institute has an active Visitors Programme, and is open to offering flexible visiting positions at all levels.

In 1998, CMI started an integrated 3-year course in Mathematics and Computer Science leading to a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree. The aim was to train a select group of talented students for academic and professional careers requiring mathematical and computational skills. From 2001, the B.Sc. programme has been extended to incorporate a course with research component leading to an M.Sc. degree in Mathematics. There is also a plan to have a separate Master of Science (M.Sc.) programme in Computer Science.

The B.Sc. Programme is run in cooperation with the Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc), Chennai, the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai, and the Madhya Pradesh Bhoj (Open) University (MPBOU), Bhopal. The course is conducted by CMI at Chennai, while the degree is awarded by the MPBOU.

CMI has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ecole Normal Superieure (ENS) Institute in Paris, one of the leading institutions in the world for teaching and research in Mathematics. This agreement provides for regular exchange visits by academic members of CMI and ENS.  The Institute receives substantial support for its teaching programme from the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) through the National Board for Higher Mathematics (NBHM) which was set up to encourage the growth of Mathematics. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) also supports the teaching programme.

Qualification:

Students who have already passed or expect to pass the 12th standard (or equivalent) examination in the current year, may apply for admission. Selection will be done based on an Entrance Examination held in various centres throughout the country in the month of May each year.

CMI has an active Ph.D. programme in Pure Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science. The Institute has a joint Ph.D. programme with Birla Institute of Science and Technology, Pilani, and is also recognised by the University of Madras as a center for guiding Ph.D. students.

CMI has close ties with the Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai. Members of both Institutes often conduct seminars and courses jointly. It is also possible for students, to work with faculty at either Institute.  CMI also interacts with other Institutes in Chennai including the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, the Ramanujam Institute at the University of Madras and the Madras Christian College.

Qualification:

The usual qualifications for the Ph.D. programmes are M.Sc. (for Mathematics) and M.Tech./M.E. (for Computer Science). Exceptional candidates with qualifications such as B.Sc./B.Tech./B.E. will also be considered.

Address: Chennai Mathematical Institute, 92, G N Chetty Road, Chennai 600 017.
Phone: 2828 4232 / 51
Fax: 2825 0573
E-mail: office@smi.ernet.in

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