Dalhousie University. Faculty of Science. Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Corporate body (Dalhousie University)

Dalhousie University. Faculty of Science. Department of Mathematics and Statistics

• Dalhousie University. Faculty of Arts and Science. Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Computing Science (1982-1997)
• Dalhousie University. Faculty of Arts and Science. Department of Mathematics (1931-1982)

1931-

Mathematics has been on the Dalhousie curriculum since James McIntosh was appointed as the college's first professor of mathematics and natural philosophy in 1838. When Dalhousie reopened as a university in 1863, mathematics still featured strongly, and students were required to take four years of the subject, which was taught by Charles Macdonald until 1901. However, it was not established as an official department until 1931, under the headship of the long-serving Professor Murray Macneill (pictured above). Computer science was taught in the department from 1978, which in 1982 was renamed and divided internally into administrative divisions of mathematics, statistics and computing science. After Dalhousie's 1998 merger with the Technical University of Nova Scotia (TUNS), computer science left to its form its own faculty. Mathematics and statistics continue to be administered as separate divisions within the department.

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics is located in the Chase Building on Dalhousie's Studley Campus.

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics offers undergraduate programs leading to a range of BA and BSc degrees in Mathematics, Statistics, and Actuarial Science, as well as a thriving co-op program. Graduate programs offer MSc and PhD degrees in both Mathematics and Statistics. The department supports research across a wide spectrum: Analysis; Applied Mathematics; Categories, Algebra and Topology (ATCAT); Environmental Statistics; General Relativity and Cosmology; Graphs and Games; Number Theory; and Statistical Genetics and Bioinformatics.

Longstanding weekly colloquia and seminars feature both visiting speakers and Dalhousie faculty, who lecture on their latest research or present overviews of their areas of expertise. The department also supports a wide range of community outreach programming and initiatives, including the CMS Math Camp; Math Circles; Nova Scotia High School Math League; Chebucto Community Net; APICS competition for undergraduate students; Mathematical Contest in Modelling; the Putnam Competition; Statistics Consulting Services; and Diagnostic Testing.

The basic statute relating to Dalhousie University is Chapter 24 of the Acts of 1863. This statute replaced earlier statutes, and the 1863 statute itself has been amended and supplemented several times over the years. The provisions of these various statutes provide for the establishment and regulation of the university, the membership of the Board of Governors and its rights and powers, the authority of senate for the internal regulation of the university (subject to the approval of the board), and various other matters.

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics is in the Faculty of Science. The department is overseen by a limited-term chair, while the divisions of Mathematics and Statistics each have their own directors, student advisors and coordinators. The Actuarial Science division has a separate coordinator, as does the department's co-op program. In 2021, the department counted 43 full-time faculty members and a similar number of adjunct professors from other institutions, and seven post-doctoral fellows. The department is supported by five administrative staff members.