Mathematics started as the art of counting, but the subject has since grown to include the study of many other structures than just numbers and sizes. Two forces have driven the development of mathematics: on one side, practical and theoretical applications have motivated the creation of new methods of computation and solutions of equations; on the other side we find the mathematicians’ desire to explore and expand the limits of our knowledge and understanding. There are countless cases where mathematics that was developed on its own terms, as it were, later have found important applications elsewhere. Here is a fact which not easily explained: Questions that seem interesting to mathematicians from a rather abstract point of view, often turn out to be relevant for problems in other subjects.

Today, mathematics is an important part of our cultural heritage, as well as an indispensable toolbox for most of science, technology and society. The task of the Department of Mathematics is to contribute to the proper care for its subjects, mathematics and statistics. This takes place through research and education, applications and outreach. We want to contribute to increased mathematical competence in society as a whole, for school and university education, for industry and business, for health care and government. At the same time, we uphold the inner characteristics of our subject. These may escape a straightforward definition, but the following quote from Michael Polanyi may give a hint:  “... mathematics cannot be defined without acknowledging its most obvious feature: namely, that it is interesting.”

Stein Arild Strømme
Professor with the Department of Mathematics