Which is the best IISER for Maths?

The Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) are premier institutions in India that focus on integrating education and research in basic sciences. While all IISER are known for their vital academic programs in basic sciences, it’s challenging to definitively say which is the “best” for mathematics because individual preferences and research interests vary. If you are interested in mathematics and want to take it as a career, IISERs can be a good option for you. 

In this blog, we will discuss:

• Mathematical Research in India
• Top IISERs for Mathematics
• Which is the best IISER for Mathematics?

Mathematical Research in India:

India has been an excellent hub for mathematical education since ancient times. There have been many great mathematicians, from Aryabhatta and Shree Dharacharya to Ramanujan and C.R. Rao. To keep their honour, many great institutions are doing marvellous research in mathematics and providing excellent undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate education along the way. A few of them are mentioned below:

• Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
• Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), Kolkata
• Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc)
• Chennai Mathematical Institute (CMI)
• Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, Kanpur, Madras, Kharagpur, Delhi, etc
• Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR)
• Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali, Kolkata and Pune

A bachelor’s or master’s degree in mathematics or a related discipline from one of these institutions offers several prospects for students. Doing a PhD is required if you are interested in research. Hence, most graduates apply for PhDs at these institutions or overseas universities like Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Michigan University, etc. 

Top IISERs for Mathematics:

While considering the best IISER, you must not forget that all IISERs are equally tremendous and offer many opportunities in almost every field. However, here are some parameters that you must consider before selecting the college that matches your goal:

You have to consider factors like:

Faculty Expertise-

One of the critical factors to consider when choosing an IISER for mathematics is the expertise of the faculty members. Each IISER has a team of dedicated and accomplished professors, but their specific areas of expertise can vary. Research the faculty profiles at each institute, paying attention to their publications, ongoing research projects, and academic backgrounds. This will give you insights into the strength and diversity of the mathematics department at each IISER.

Research Opportunities-

For students passionate about mathematics, the availability of research opportunities is a critical factor. Look for the research centers and laboratories affiliated with the mathematics departments at different IISERs. Consider the scope and variety of ongoing research projects and any collaborations with other institutes or industries. A robust research environment can significantly enhance your academic experience and contribute to your growth as a mathematician.

Academic Culture-

The academic culture at an institute plays a significant role in shaping your learning experience. Some IISERs might have a more theoretical approach to mathematics, while others could emphasize applied or interdisciplinary aspects. Consider your preferences and the type of mathematics you are interested in pursuing. Additionally, look into the teaching methodologies, class sizes, and any unique academic programs or initiatives each IISER offers.

Campus Facilities-

The infrastructure and facilities an institute provides contribute to the overall learning environment. Evaluate the libraries, computational resources, and other facilities that support mathematical research and study. A well-equipped campus can make a substantial difference in the quality of your academic journey.

Student Community and Support-

Connect with current students and alumni to gain insights into the day-to-day life at each IISER. Consider factors such as the sense of community, peer support, and the availability of mentorship programs and internships offered. A strong and supportive academic community can enhance your experience and provide valuable networks for future collaborations.

Placements and Opportunities-

Investigate the placement records of the IISERs. However, only a few IISERs (like Bhopal) have direct campus placements because most students prefer to pursue PhD after their BSMS. If you want to do your PhD in foreign, choose those IISERS with solid connections and offer internships and job opportunities, which can benefit your future career. Apart from academia, you can work as a data scientist or statistician with governmental organisations like ISRO or DRDO. Also, try to talk with the alumnus of IISERs who are doing great in their field. And who knows, you might learn about a new, exciting field of research. 

Entrance Exams-

One of the most common admission exams for IISERs is the IISER Aptitude Test (IAT), which is administered by IISERs. Obtaining a decent rank (below 8000) in JEE Advanced is another way to qualify. SciAstra might be the ideal partner if you wish to begin preparing for the IISERs, IISc, or NISER. All of our students get top-notch instruction, proper mock tests, and one-on-one mentoring. Check out our website here.

Which is the Best IISER for Mathematics?

IISER Mohali, Pune and Kolkata are considered the best IISERs for math. However, there is no definite data to support this fact, but the general census among students and experts claims so. 

IISER Mohali-

The mathematics department was founded by Professor I.B.S. Passi (A Bhatnagar Awardee) in 2007. The mathematics department of IISER Mohali is considered the best among all other IISERs. Here are some reasons for this:

• Algebra, analysis, topology, computer science, and applied maths courses are offered here. The core courses taught during the first two years of the BS-MS program are Symmetry, Analysis in one variable, Curves and Surfaces, Probability and Statistics. The core years also offer specific interdisciplinary courses like Differential Equations for Scientists and Theory of Computation. 
• The Department of Mathematical Sciences currently has over 21 regular faculty members. Their research interests span various disciplines such as Number Theory, Algebraic Geometry, Groups and Algebras, Modular forms and Galois representations, Applications of Homotopical Algebra to Algebraic Geometry, Groups and Geometry, Harmonic Analysis, Functional Analysis, Operator Theory, Theoretical and Applied Probability, Geometric Group Theory, Algebraic Topology and Knot theory, Riemannian Geometry, Several Complex Variables, Lie Algebra and Representation Theory and Differential Algebra.
• The Department’s faculty members have been regularly guiding PhD students, MS Thesis students, and Summer Research students. They have regularly published research papers in high-repute international journals and books with well-known international publishers. The department has organised many international conferences/workshops in its short existence and its faculty members have fetched many grants.
• They have over 125 research publications on the Scopus database and over 100 in the MathSciNet database. A total of 5 volumes have been edited by their faculty members, in addition to authoring a book on Automorphisms of Finite Groups.
• As far as the alumni are concerned, most of them are in academia, while quite a few are also there in the industry and government sectors. The ones (BS-MS graduates) who are in academia have gone to do PhD at various foreign and national universities, some of them being Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences, University of Bonn, Ohio State University, University of Toronto, University of Georgia, Michigan State University, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and many more. 

IISER Pune-

The Mathematics Department of IISER Pune includes strong research groups in all the core areas, including Algebra, Analysis, Applied Mathematics, Discrete Mathematics, Geometry-Topology, and Number Theory. Here are some of the reasons that make IISER Pune stand out in mathematics:

• They have about 25 faculty members, 15 postdoctoral fellows, and 50 PhD and Integrated PhD scholars as of 2021. They have, on average, 15-20 BS-MS students who opt to do their masters thesis in Mathematics. Also, they have students who got prestigious Prime Minister Research Fellowship Program (PMRF) Scholarships. 
• Two annual events have been a defining feature of the Math department at IISER Pune: the Math Symposium and the Math Day celebrations in March each year.
• The research activities of the Mathematics department at IISER Pune span a wide range of deep and fundamental areas like algebraic and analytic number theory, automorphic forms, representation theory, finite groups, algebraic K-theory, partial and stochastic differential equations, several variable complex analysis, harmonic analysis, operator theory, algebraic geometry, differential geometry, low dimensional topology, cryptography, algorithms, coding theory, probability theory, mathematical finance and statistical modelling. 

IISER Kolkata-

IISER Kolkata certainly has a really great mathematics department, especially if you want to go into pure mathematics. The DMS (Department of Mathematics and Statistics) professors here are really good and are willing to go out of their way to explain concepts to you if you are persistent enough to ask a question a zillion times. It has a generally supportive environment. But being a small-ish department (compared to other giant departments at IISER K, like Physics), it does not have a lot of people in some areas, which may decrease the overall diversity of projects to work on. But if you have something specific you want to work on that is not offered by the dept, surely someone would help you collaborate within the dept or outside.

Conclusion:

IISERs provide plenty of chances and exposure for students who are enthusiastic about research. Through providing abstract mathematical concepts, research, and ingenuity, these institutions provide prospective mathematicians with a solid foundation. The “best” IISER for math is ultimately a personal decision determined by your goals and opinions. Remember that the best choice is the one that aligns with your passion and ambition. So, explore your options, make an informed decision, and embark on an exciting journey in maths through an IISER that’s the right fit for you.

If you want to know more about research in mathematics, check out this blog.

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