A "Math in Moscow" semester lasts 15 weeks. Each student participating in the program may choose as many courses as desired from the wide range of courses offered. There are twenty one math courses and two theoretical computer science courses.

Besides math and computer science courses, a Russian language course, courses in Russian history, history of science and Russian literature (in English) are offered. For the list of math courses and their contents, click here.

A full-time program means no less than three courses.

Each course is taught four academic hours per week. All the classes are taught in English. Most of our lecturers have extensive teaching experience in the US and/or Canada.

Classes are small. This gives our teachers the oportunity of an individual approach to every student. Mathematics courses are taught with emphasis on problem solving rather than memorizing theory: this emphasis is characteristic of the Moscow school of mathematics.

However, we are aware that most students in the Math in Moscow program do not have as much math problem solving experience as Russian students of the same age. Our teachers are therefore very attentive to student feedback; quizzes, tests, informal discussions allow them to control the level of the course, making it accessible to all the students taking it.

Credits & Transcripts
Courses successfully completed in the "Math in Moscow" program will be credited by your university. One "Math in Moscow" course transfers as three or four semester hours. Students can usually get advice in this regard from the Department of Mathematics of their college or university.

Our office will send an official transcript of all completed courses to your home institution. Additional transcripts to other addresses are available upon request.

Where will the courses take place?

You will study at the Independent University of Moscow (IUM). IUM is the university where the best Russian amd world mathematicians are teaching students, using their own technique and methods of learning maths and computer science. The best students of Mechanics and Mathematics Department of Moscow State University consider it an honour to study simultaneously at the IUM. They are attracted by the opprotunity to enhance their knowledge beyond their college curriculum, participating in informal discussions of contemporary mathematics and ability to work closely with faculty. Each student can opt for individual research project.

For more information about the IUM click here.

The IUM is located in a cosy building in the very heart of Moscow. The address is 11 Bol. Vlasievskii per., a small quiet street near the historic Arbat, within walking distance from the Kremlin, the Bolshoi, the Rumyantsev library, the Pushkin Western Art Museum, and the cathedral of Christ the Savior.

Among lecture halls and classes, the IUM building has a library, a computer class, a cafeteria, a small publishing house, and a book shop for math books. All the students will have e-mail accounts, access to the Internet and to xerox machines, etc.

Moscow and its surroundings

Moscow is one of the largest cities of the world with more than 9 million people.

The first mention of Moscow was found in the Ipatyevskaya Chronicle, one of the oldest Russian records dating back to 1147. In past centuries, travelers were always amazed by the abundance of churches, some of which standing to this day. On a sunny day shining cupolas were visible from afar as one approached the city; that is why Moscow was called "the golden-domed city".

Walking through the heart of the city, with its intricate web of streets, squares, lanes and boulevards, one feels the dynamic beat of a modern city, but at the same time constantly sees memories of the past. This extraordinary interchange between the old and the new constitutes the uniqueness of our city. Historical places, monuments, and architectural masterpieces are innumerable here.

Moscow is the cultural, economic and political center of Russia. There are a number of theaters, museums and art galleries in Moscow. The Bolshoi Theater and the Tretyakov Art Gallery are world famous symbols of Russian culture. Because of an abundance of universities and colleges, Moscow is often called the student's city. Consult also Moscow Travel Portal to learn more about Moscow touristic opportunities.

About two thousand square kilometers of the city's total area are parks and forests, such as Sokolniki, Serebyanny Bor and Losiny (Elk's) Island, where one may find over 1400 different kinds of plants.

Moscow winters are usually pretty cold and snowy. But the low humidity helps to bear the frost. Even children go skiing when it is -5F. With enough warm clothes you will enjoy the Moscow weather: you can take long strolls, ski, and skate.

English is a foreign language studied in most of Moscow schools. Usually Muscovites are not as fluent in English as most Western Europeans. Nevertheless, the visitor will have no difficulty in finding English speaking people who are willing to help.

We will organize several tours around Moscow and in the Moscow region as well as short trips to the Golden Ring (ancient Russian towns with unique architecture), and the Northern capital of Russia - St.Petersburg.

Housing

Each student will be provided with living quarters in a student dormitory at a reasonable distance from the IUM.

A designated person at the IUM will help you to adjust to become a part of Moscow life, giving you info about food, shopping, eating out, transportation, and other everyday necessities. You also could seek help and advice about all your needs.

For more information about Living in Moscow click here.

Applying for "Math in Moscow"

If you are willing to study math, have good academic standing, have completed at least one semester of both Advanced Calculus and Linear Algebra, you are eligible to participate. In order to apply, you need to fill out an application form and provide two or more references in writing.

For details about the Application Procedure and Application Materials click here.

Fees

Tuition ($8000 for one semester or $15500 for an academic year in 2014-2015) must be paid at least 3 months in advance. The deadline is May the 15th for the Fall semester and November the 8th for the Spring semester. The money must be transferred to the IUM bank account (the bank data will be sent to you). Payment by check is not acceptable.

It is illegal to import Russian currency to Russia from abroad. Travelers may, however, carry an unlimited amount of Western currency in cash or in traveler's checks. Use of personal checks in Moscow is strongly discouraged since it may take up two months for a check to clear. 4 digit pin code major debit or credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, etc.) can be used in Moscow to obtain currency from ATM machines or to make purchases at certain stores. Credit and debit cards with 6 digit pin code are acceptable in City bank offices only. Travelers' checks "American Express" are acceptable in most of Moscow banks with about 2% fee.

Visa

In order to enter Russia, you need a passport valid for no less than 18 month after the end of the semester. The procedure for obtaining the visa involves a certain amount of time and paperwork (according to rules that are subject to change). We supply "Math in Moscow" participants with detailed instructions concerning visas in due time.

Travel

An economy class round trip fare from the East coast of North America to Moscow will vary widely depending on the time of year, airline, and travel agency, but should be around $ 1500 in any case. Aeroflot is usually the cheapest and provides a direct flight (although not necessarily the most comfortable one), Lufthansa gives a sizable discount to students (but their flights involve changing planes in Frankfurt or Munich). We recommend to review all offers at a good travel agency and choose the one you like. An International Student Identification Card (ISIC) may help you to buy a cheaper plane ticket. Once you have secured your ticket, please e-mail to mim@mccme.ru the date, arrival time, airline and flight number: we will meet you at the airport and take you to your residence by car or minibus.

Affiliated programs

Students from more than 160 North American universities have participated in our program. See also our affiliated programs.