Mathematics & Mechanics Faculty of St. Petersburg State University. The Department of General Mathematics and Informatics

The Department of General Mathematics and Informatics

Two great mathematicians were the founders of the department of general mathematics: V.I. Smirnov and N.S. Koshliakov, both members of the USSR Academy of Sciences. The department of general mathematics was begun in 1936. Its first chairman was professor Nickolay Sergeevich Koshliakov. Professor V.I.Smirnov took particular interest in teaching methodology and in composing syllabi, thereby impruving the teaching of mathematics.

Professor Smirnov was succeeded by Professors K.F. Ogorodnikov, R.O.Kuzmin and V.I.Krylov, also members of the USSR Academy of Sciences. Professor D.M.Volkov, Professor M.M.Smirnov and Associate Professor N.A.Sakharnikov also made great contributions to the improvement in the teaching of mathematics.

During the 1995-96 academic year the department faculty consisted of 2 Professors, 8 Associate Professors, 4 Assistant Professors and 14 lecturers and instructors; they taught mathematics to full and part time students at 6 faculties of the University: the faculties of chemistry, economics, geology, geography and ecology, biology and soils and philosophy. The department members work in the following areas of research:

"Algebraic geometry and algebraic K-theory"
(Doctor of physical and mathematical sciences, Professor A.S.Merkuriev).
"Problems of artificial intellect and identification of images"
(Doctor of psychological sciences, Professor R.M.Granovskaya).
"Non-classical problems in mathematical physics"
(Candidate of physical and mathematical sciences, Associate Professor N.M.Saltykova).
"Theory of linear topological spaces"
(Candidate of physical and mathematical sciences, Associate Professor T.A.Yefimova).
"Theory of cubature formulae"
(Candidate of physical and mathematical sciences, Associate Professor A.K. Romanenko).
"Theory of turbulent and non-equilibrium flows"
(Candidate of physical and mathematical sciences, Associate Professor T.V. Stepanova).
"Theory of quadratic forms over arbitrary fields" and "algebraic K-theory"
(Candidate of physical and mathematical sciences, Assistant Professor V.Y. Sakharov).
"Asymptotic methods of solving boundary-value problems of mathematical physics"
(Candidate of physical and mathematical sciences, Assistant Professor P.K. Cherniaev).

The results of the scientific research are published every year in leading science journals both in Russia and abroad. In addition, many papers are published as part of collections. From 1980 to 1989, more than 200 papers including 10 monographs, 1 Doctor's dissertation and 7 Candidate of Science's were defended. The Department scientific work continues in the 1990-s. In 1995, 1 monograph and 27 papers were published, 7 papers were presented at scientific conferences, symposia and seminars.

The leading faculty presents their papers at international symposia, conferences, seminars. Examples are one two papers presented by Professor Merkuriev at the European Mathematical Congress (Paris, 1992), and Algebraic K-theory Conference (Santa-Barbara, 1992), a paper presented by Associate Professor Izhboldin at two International Algebraic Conferences (Strasbourg, 1992; Trento, 1994), a paper presented by Associate Professor Rainess at the International Oxford Symposium (1994), papers presented A. Merkuriev, O. Izhboldin and B. Bekker at the Algebraic Seminars at Essen, Munster, Bildfeld, Strasbourg and others Universities.