Centre for Mathematics and its Applications (CMA)

The Centre for Mathematics and its Applications (CMA) has the primary function of a research institute in the mathematical sciences, fulfilling both national and international roles in that capacity. The CMA is Australia's representative in the International Mathematical Science Institutes (IMSI), the international consortium which includes all the world's major mathematical science research institutes. The CMA also cooperates with the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI).

The CMA publishes a series of research monographs and has extensive series of mathematical and statistical research reports.

The Head of the CMA is Professor Alan Welsh.

Recent achievements

Sue Wilson and her colleagues in the Centre for Bioinformation Science (CBiS) investigated the reason that disease gene results are not always replicable. Her important modelling result shows that the cause may be due to researchers analysing each gene separately and ignoring the complex interactions among the genes. ANU scientists now are developing alternative genomic analyses of familial data.

Neil Trudinger and Xu-Jia Wang solved an important conjecture concerning the existence of locally convex hypersurfaces of constant Gauss curvature with prescribed boundaries. Min-Chun Hong also settled a long-standing conjecture by proving that if an ellipsoid is sufficiently elongated then the equatorial map is energy minimizing.

Alan McIntosh successfully completed his long-time research by solving the square root problem of Kato concerning elliptic differential operators, in collaboration with an international team. Amnon Neeman's 450-page book Triangulated Categories was published by Princeton University Press in their prestigious series, Annals of Mathematics Studies.

National Research Symposia

In its national role, the CMA organizes and sponsors a series of National Research Symposia in the Mathematical Sciences involving Australian and overseas researchers in mathematics, statistics and applications. The symposia provide a focal point for Australian researchers in an area of current interest in the mathematical and statistical sciences. They are often held in conjunction with the visit to Australia of leading international experts. Proceedings are often published.

An invitation and more information about the National Research Symposia are available.

Visitor program

Each research program has a large number of visitors and extensive international contacts. These are of a substantial nature as here there is a wealth of powerful international collaborations. A large number of leading mathematicians and statisticians visit us from overseas as well as from within Australia. Our members regularly visit their colleagues overseas, and are invited to participate in international conferences. Indeed, the CMA has an exceptional profile for its size.

Postgraduate Study

There is an active program with supervision available for students wishing to study for the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Philosophy in the mathematical sciences. These are degrees by research, the PhD usually being of three years full-time study, or from four to six years part-time study. Candidates must present the results of their original research as a substantial thesis, although some course work may be required to bolster the student's background knowledge in preparation for research. Joint programs are encouraged with other areas of the University, in particular with computational science and bioinformatics.

Contact Details

Administrative Officer:

Annette Hughes
CMAadmin AT maths.anu.edu.au
Phone: +61 2 6125 2897 (ANU internal: 52897)

Administrator:

Scott Yates
CMAoffice AT maths.anu.edu.au
Phone: +61 2 6125 0706 (ANU internal: 50706)

Fax:

+61 2 6125 5549 (ANU internal: 55549)

Mailing:

Centre for Mathematics and its Applications
Bldg 27
The Australian National University
ACT 0200
Australia