Department of Mathematics, National College

Mathematics (from Greek máthēma, “knowledge, study, learning”) is the study of topics such as quantity (numbers), structure, space, and change. There is a range of views among mathematicians and philosophers as to the exact scope anddefinition philosophers as to the exact scope anddefinition of mathematics. Mathematicians seek out patterns and use them to formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proof. When mathematical structures are good models of real phenomena, then mathematical reasoning can provide insight or predictions about nature. Through the use of astraction and logic, mathematics developed from counting, calculation,measurement, and the systematic study of the shapes and motions of physical objects. Practical mathematics has been a human activity for as far back as written records exist. The research required to solve mathematical problems can take years or even centuries of sustained inquiry The Department of Mathematics, one of the oldest departments in the College, started offering Inter-mediate course in 1927. B.Sc. Mathematics was introduced in the year 1957 and Post Graduate Programme was started in the year 1960. The Department got recognition for guiding scholars for Ph.D degree in 1977 and for M.Phil Programme in 1980. The Department has a strength of 12 staff members and 3 of them hold Ph.D degrees. The entry level competencies for the B.Sc. Mathematics is a pass in Higher Secondary (+2) Examination with Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry and for M.Sc. Mathematics is a pass in B.Sc. Mathematics degree programme. Most of the students admitted to B.Sc. Mathematics are from Government Higher Secondary schools with Tamil as their medium of instruction. Majority of the students are OBC and SC/ST students coming from villages. The parents are agricultural workers under daily wages. There are 130 students in the UG, 45 in PG, 17 students in M.Phil and 06 scholars in the Ph.D programme in the Department. Since the college adopt semester pattern with Choice Based Credit System, Continuous Internal Assessment system is followed. The students are evaluated periodically by conducting tests. The students’ performance is informed to the parents. Students are also counseled by the staff members for the improvement. The normal pass percentage in the B.Sc. Programme is 50-60% and M.Sc. 45-55%. Students who fail in end of semester University Examination are given remedial coaching. All the staff are guiding students for M.Phil degree. The Department has produced 62 M.Phil and 07 Ph.D degrees in the last five years. 4 staff members have been serving as members of Board of Studies in Bharathidasan University and Autonomous Colleges. All the members are in the question paper setting board of various universities and Autonomous Colleges. Staff members and research scholars of the department have published more than 50 research papers in the last five years. They also have been presenting papers in National / International Conferences. 4 Minor Research Projects have been completed and 1 is ongoing. Coaching classes are conducted by the department for the NET Examinations. 90% of the students who have passed M.Phil are placed as Assistant Professors in Self Financing Arts & Science / Engineering Colleges in Tamil Nadu. ...view more