History (Click here for previous edition)
In 1904, the University Constitution stipulated that the subject of "Advanced Calculation" be part of the science department and listed the required and supplementary courses of "Calculation Subject". In the fall of 1913, Peking University began enrolling math students, proclaiming the beginning of teaching activities of advanced mathematics in China.
In 1919, the Department of Mathematics was listed as, and has been ever since, the first department among all departments. President Cai Yuanpei issued a statement for his decision. "The mission of all universities is that those engaged in the philosophy, literature and applied sciences, shall start with pure sciences; those engaged in pure sciences, shall start with mathematics. Therefore, the mathematics department shall be listed as the first among all departments."
During the World War II, the Department of Mathematics of Peking University, relocated in the city of Kunming of Yunnan Province, operated jointly with the counterpart of Tsinghua University and Nankai University for 8 years.
In 1952, the three mathematics departments at Peking University, Tsinghua University, and Yenching University were merged to form the new Department of Mathematics and Mechanics at Peking University，after the counterpart of the Moscow State University. The division of Mechanics later evolved into an independent department in 1978. So did the division of Probability and Statistics in 1985.
In 1995 the School of Mathematical Sciences was established by combining the Department of Mathematics with the Department of Probability and Statistics. Thanks to the painstaking efforts and hard work of several generations, the field of mathematics at Peking University takes on a new look. The School continues its strides in teaching, research and other related works.
Faculty
The School of Mathematical Sciences has over 100 faculty members, among which 7 are members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 3 members of the Third World Academy of Sciences. Many of them received Ph.D. degree in the USA and Europe, or spend their sabbatical leave abroad for international collaborations. In addition to the regular faculty members, there are some dozens of instructors, post-doctoral fellows, visitors and guests.
The faculty members are organized according to their research fields. There are four departments within the School. Namely, Mathematics, Probability and Statistics, the Information and Computation Sciences, and Financial Mathematics. Each department consists of several divisions.
Research
The School maintains a contingent of mathematicians with extensive research interests, profound knowledge, and well-knit scholarly work. Faculty members have a wide range of research fields including algebra and number theory, topology, algebraic and differential geometry, analysis, differential equations and dynamical systems, PDE, mathematical physics, probability, statistics, computational mathematics, applied mathematics, data science, etc.
Every year, more than 200 papers are published, supported by the grants from the NSF and other agencies. Many works are recognized by national and international awards and prizes, such as S.S. Chern Award of the Chinese Mathematical Society and the Award in Mathematics of the Third World Academy of Science.
Faculty members in the School have frequently obtained original research results and published numerous academic papers; dozens of their research findings have received high acclaim in the academic circles. Since 1987, the School has been awarded 1 first class prize, 6 second class prizes, 6 third class prizes from the State Award for Natural Science. The School has received a number of awards for science and technology progress from other ministries as well. Furthermore, two professors in the School have won the Award in Mathematics of the Third World Academy of Science, three professors have won award of HeLiangHeLi Foundation Science and Technology Progress, and three professors have won S.S. Chern Award in Mathematics.
The Peking University Library as well as its mathematical branch maintain a large collection of mathematical books and periodicals, which ensures the fulfillment of scientific research and education. The IT office of the School, together with the Computer Center of the University, provides excellent computer services for faculty members and students. The School is now located in the Science Building and will soon move into the new home of Zhihua Building. Meanwhile, three dormitory buildings will be renovated as offices for graduate students.
Education Programs
The undergraduate program seeks to strengthen students' command in basic knowledge, encourage students to take courses outside their respective majors, teach students in accordance with their aptitude, and improve their ability to adjust themselves in the fast-changing world.
For the first two years all students take the same compulsory courses, such as mathematical analysis, linear algebra, advanced geometry, probability theory, introduction to computer sciences, physics, etc. Students choose their majors by the end of the second academic year and take courses accordingly. The School offers a total of 245 courses every year. Students may also take courses offered by other schools.
Graduate students trained at this School have established a solid foundation of basic theories and amassed a wide range of knowledge. Having undergone rigorous training in mathematics and technical training in computer, they can adjust themselves to different circumstances. Graduates are fully prepared for scientific research; teaching in the various fields related to mathematics or interdisciplinary fields such as the computer sciences, information sciences and insurance, as well as; and, applied research in high tech companies. The School is authorized to confer Doctoral degrees to students in every field of the mathematical sciences as long as the student has completed the required courses and a dissertation, and meets the requirements for Ph.D. degree.
Students and Alumni
Highlighted by the first-class faculty and research environment, the School is the first choice for students deeply engrossed in mathematical sciences and attracts the top students from all over China. Many of them are the winners of IMO and various math competitions. Each year the School enrolls 100 graduate students and 180 undergraduates. Presently, there are 290 Ph.D. students, 260 graduate students for MS degree, and 740 undergraduate students in this School.
During the past 100 years, the School has produced a large contingent of outstanding mathematicians and computer scientists -- more than 30 have been elected as members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Since 1982 when China began to confer academic degrees, the School has conferred seven thousand B.S. students, over 1000 MS degree graduates, and around 300 Ph.D. graduates. Our alumni are engaged in many fields in and outside the country -- some work as core members in their respective fields, some work as prominent entrepreneurs, and some have received acclaims from all circles in society.
