Name change for School of Mathematical Sciences

The School of Mathematical Sciences has changed its name to the Mathematical Sciences Institute.

The intention is to have a name that accurately reflects the activities we undertake and in a nutshell answers the question for both prospective staff and students: why should I come to the ANU to study, teach or do research in the mathematical sciences?

The Mathematical Sciences Institute (MSI) is a special place in the Australian context. It combines a research institute with undergraduate teaching; it offers a breadth and depth of coursework and research opportunities unmatched elsewhere; and it engages in cross-disciplinary research and teaching through joint appointments with other Research Schools, notably through the Centre for Bio-information Science and the Centre for Complex Systems and through joint activities in computational science and astrophysical theory.

Within MSI, the Centre for Mathematics and its Applications has an extensive international visitor program and funds joint research and networking with other institutions through its program of National Symposia. The Department of Mathematics engages in research-led teaching with undergraduates having the opportunity to develop skills relevant to a research career in the mathematical sciences. This unification of an international research Centre and an undergraduate teaching program is not only unique within ANU it is rare throughout the world.

The name change reflects the evolution of the mathematical sciences at ANU over the last two decades. It is consistent with the ANU's intention to be more actively engaged in a national leadership role.