The program Budapest Semesters in Mathematics (BSM) provides a unique opportunity for North American undergraduates. Through this program, mathematics and computer science majors in their junior/senior years may spend fall, spring or summer semester in Budapest and study under the tutelage of eminent Hungarian scholar-teachers. The instructors of BSM are members of Eötvös University, the Mathematical Institute of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and Budapest University of Technology and Economics, the three institutions known for having educated more than half of Hungary's highly acclaimed mathematicians. Most instructors have had teaching experience in North America and are familiar with the cultural differences.
- All courses are taught in English.
- Classes are small.
- Credits are transferable to North American colleges and universities.
- The school is near the center of historic Budapest.
- Living costs are modest.
Budapest
Budapest, a city of two million, is situated on both sides of the
river Duna (Danube). Eight
graceful bridges link the charming hills of Buda on the river's west bank to cosmopolitan Pest on the east. The construction of the Royal Palace on Buda's
Castle Hill was begun over 700 years ago. Actually, the history of this district dates even earlier; a thousand years before the
Hungarian kings, Roman warriors maintained a military settlement there to guard the "limes" of the Empire. Buda and Pest were united in 1872 and the union grew into the friendly metropolis we see now in modern Budapest with its elegant boulevards, coffeehouses, and concert halls.
Hungary
Hungary is a small country, about the size of Indiana. Its population is 10 million. Located in Central Europe, it is bordered by Slovakia on the north, Ukraine and Romania on the east, Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia to the south, and Austria on the west. Hungary had a turbulent past. The country was invaded and was under foreign domination for much of the second half of its 1100-year history. Defying numerous conquerors, Hungary has maintained a distinct language and culture.
Academics
- Classes are taught in English
- Classes meet two hours per day, four days a week
- Classes are small with a focus on problem-solving, student creativity, and group learning.
Course Offerings
From our usual course selection, we offer four full courses plus the research option(s) in the summer. These are
- the introductory level Abstract Algebra
- a Conjecture and Proof/ Mathematical Problem Solving course (the level of the course will be set according to the background of the audience)
- an advanced analysis: our Real Functions and Measures course
- a combinatorics course: CO1/ CO2 (its level will be set according to the background of the audience)
- an undergraduate research course.
