Two Universities an Ocean Apart Initiate Collaborative Math Degree Program

August 9, 2007

Brown University and the Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris VI) will explore each other's city and academic cultures as part of their respective Ph.D. programs in mathematics.

"The aim," said Sheila Bonde, dean of the graduate school at Brown University, "is to create a research community that is in constant contact and expand the way our students think about their disciplines."

Students will work with teachers and advisers from both institutions and will be challenged to incorporate a broad range of perspectives into their mathematical work. While the importance of experiencing other cultures is taken for granted in the humanities and social sciences, the physical, biological, and mathematical sciences have fewer formal exchange programs.

"Math is a collaborative science," said Jill Pipher, chair of the math department at Brown. "It builds on ideas; it builds on foundations and on things created by others. This collaboration increases the number of researchers our students can access."

"We complement each other very well," said Jan Hesthaven, professor of applied mathematics at Brown University and a regular visitor at Paris VI. "I think we can build on each others' strengths and lift one another."

"Research is conducted rather differently in France and in the United States, and the background of the students in both universities is also quite different," said Yvon Maday, chair of the Laboratoire Jacques-Louis Lions, one of the main departments in applied mathematics in Paris VI University, and a visiting professor at Brown. "This program will allow the participating students to enlarge their first experience in research, which often leads to collaborations that continue long after the thesis defense."

From Brown's perspective, Paris VI University has the additional advantage of being one of the main participants in the newly launched Fondation Sciences Mathématiques de Paris, which coordinates most of the research efforts of the mathematical community in the center of Paris and includes nearly 1000 mathematicians.

Brown's math students can apply to the program after their first year of study. Paris VI students become eligible after completing a Master's degree. Student will have primary advisers in their home institution and co-advisors from the host institution. Students graduate from their home institution but their diplomas will be recognized by both institutions.

Source: Brown University, July 12, 2007