The Department of Mathematics at the Faculty of Science stands as the mathematical centre not only within the University of Zagreb but also within the wider Croatian mathematical community. Since the foundation of the Faculty of Science, mathematicians from this department have actively contributed to the realm of mathematics on a global scale.
Research within the department encompasses all three fundamental areas of mathematics: theoretical and applied mathematics, as well as theoretical computing. Increasingly, interdisciplinary connections are being forged with various natural sciences, particularly physics and biology, as well as other fields such as medicine, economics, and technical sciences. Given the broad spectrum of mathematical branches, scientific divisions within the department are notably diverse, leading mathematicians with similar interests to convene in scientific seminars where collaborative work thrives. These seminars are not limited to department members; mathematicians from across Croatia contribute to joint research endeavors.
Furthermore, the Department of Mathematics has pioneered an innovative study programme that uniquely combines Mathematics and Biomedicine. The introduction of the New Biomedical Mathematics Study Programme in English represents a groundbreaking step towards internationalizing higher education in Croatia, being the first of its kind in this region of Europe. This forward-thinking program positions Croatia at the forefront of STEM education within the EU.
One of the most renowned mathematicians of the 20th century, Paul Erdős (1913-1996), was famous for posing open problems with elementary and straightforward formulations, yet which remained just beyond the reach of known mathematics, requiring imaginative solutions or the development of new techniques. Currently, the website “Erdős problems” hosts around 500 problems, with only about a fifth of them solved to date.
Recently, Vjekoslav Kovač, a regular professor at the Department of Mathematics of the Faculty of Science, solved problem #189, and Adrian Beker, an assistant and doctoral student also at the Department of Mathematics of the Faculty of Science, solved problem #356.
Read more here.
Teachers’ Awards
The department’s staff are acknowledged for their excellence in scientific research and their dedication to knowledge dissemination and education. A comprehensive list of awards received by them can be viewed here.