Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Mathematical Physics
On the Cantoblanco campus of the Autonomous University of Madrid, the Instituto de Ciencias Matemáticas (ICMAT) works as a research institute devoted to mathematics. It is a joint centre of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and three Madrid universities: the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), Charles III University of Madrid (UC3M) and the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM). The institute has been based in its Cantoblanco building since 2010.
The cooperation agreement that created ICMAT was signed in 2007. Research covers mathematics broadly, with groups working in mathematical analysis, differential and algebraic geometry, partial differential equations, fluid mechanics, dynamical systems and mathematical physics, and with number theory and group theory added in 2011. In 2011 the institute was one of the eight centres chosen in the first Severo Ochoa call for centres of excellence, and the distinction was renewed in 2015.
Alongside research, ICMAT carries out outreach and training work. It maintains a scientific culture unit and a blog on mathematics, and it organises activities for school pupils and for teachers. Information on the current research groups, programmes and calls is published on the institute’s own website, which is the place to check before contacting a group.
Domains taught:
Data Analytics, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics
Diplomas*:
Doctor, Master
Status:
Public
Partnerships:
Joint venture of CSIC, UAM, UC3M, UCM. Strong international collaborations, visiting professorships, and active postgraduate training programs (Master, PhD) linked with the partner universities.
Research:
World-class research in algebra, geometry, analysis, differential equations, mathematical physics, number theory, and statistics.
Famous Alumnis:
Diego Córdoba
International recognition**:
Number of staff***:
100
Current students***:
80
Foreign students***:
50%
Cumulative former students***:
200
Pros
Leading international center for mathematical research, offering an exceptional environment for doctoral and postdoctoral studies.
Cons
Primarily a research institute; degrees awarded by partner universities. Highly theoretical.
Best For
PhD students and researchers in pure and applied mathematics seeking a top-level international research environment.
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas is the national research body that co-runs ICMAT; it is a public, multidisciplinary organisation in Madrid covering science and technology research.
Autonomous University of Madrid is both a partner and the host of ICMAT, whose institute building stands on this public university's Cantoblanco campus.
Complutense University of Madrid, a public university in the same city, is the third of the partner universities and offers sciences, medicine, fine arts and law.
For physics-oriented research, Donostia International Physics Center in Donostia-San Sebastián concentrates on condensed matter physics, materials science and nanoscience.
Instituto de Física de Altas Energías, a public centre at Bellaterra near Barcelona, works in particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology.
Most Similar Schools Abroad
Based in Bures-sur-Yvette, France, IHES is a private institute for mathematics and theoretical physics, a close match for ICMAT's research profile.
In Israel, the Weizmann Institute of Science is a public research institution covering mathematics, computer science, physics and chemistry.
Germany's Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, a public university in Bonn, pairs mathematics and physics with life and medical sciences.
Princeton University, a private university in Princeton, United States, lists mathematics and the physical sciences among its main fields.
*our own picks (our criteria: a mix between domains, diploma delivered, reputation and size), but obviously too many criteria for an apple-to-apple ranking.
FAQ
What kind of institution is ICMAT?
It is a mixed research institute rather than a university: CSIC and three Madrid universities (UAM, UC3M and UCM) run it jointly. Its work is research in mathematics.
Where in Madrid can the institute be found?
ICMAT occupies a building on the Cantoblanco campus of the Autonomous University of Madrid, where it has been based since 2010. The campus is shared with one of the institute's partner universities.
When was the institute set up?
The cooperation agreement for its creation dates from 2007, and the Cantoblanco site came into use in 2010.
Which branches of mathematics are studied there?
The institute describes its research as covering all branches of mathematics. Early groups worked in analysis, geometry, partial differential equations, fluid mechanics, dynamical systems and mathematical physics, and number theory, group theory and combinatorics were added in 2011.
Has ICMAT received any national distinction?
In 2011 it was one of eight centres selected in the first call of the Severo Ochoa Programme for centres of excellence, and the accreditation was renewed in 2015. The programme is run by the Spanish science ministry.
Does the institute take part in public outreach?
Yes. ICMAT has a scientific culture unit, writes a blog on mathematics and runs activities aimed at schools and teachers. These activities are announced on its website.
Where can I find research groups and training opportunities?
The ICMAT website lists its research groups, programmes and training schemes. Anyone interested in doctoral or postdoctoral work should check the current calls there and contact the relevant group.
Innovation, Mathematics, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Quality Management, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Process Control (SPC)
*: without any judgment of the quality, readers are strongly encouraged to check the official status of the exact diploma envisioned as many universities have a mix of recognized diplomas, not recognized, “co-delivered,” “equivalent to”, “some pathways” (…), can change over time, and can be named differently from one country to another.
**: international reputation: is based on some criteria that do not mean much in some domains or specialties (number of researchers, of scientific publications, on budget ….). Our approximate 1-4 scale:
known locally
known locally and internationally
is listed in some of the world university’s classifications
is listed among the 20 firsts in some of world university’s classifications
***: estimated numbers, based on online sources and/or feedbacks. The numbers can vary greatly depending on school organisation (ex.: school is part of a group, it employs internal staff or external consultants or has public staff without employing them …). Refer to all the links provided to have accurate and updated numbers.
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