Department of Mathematics

The Department of Mathematics of Hindoo College, which later became Presidency College, started functioning since 1817, the foundation year, although the earlier history is available only since 1857, the year of establishment of University of Calcutta. In the three decades from 1857, B.A. and M.A. Mathematics Honours classes were held. B.A. (Honours) and one year M.A. courses were separated in 1884. During this time arts students opted for science subJects in B.A. till 1902 when the B.Sc. Course was introduced. With the introduction of Indian University Act in 1904 Intermediate Arts and Intermediate Science courses started, followed by two-year course for M.A. / M. Sc. Pure mathematics and Mixed Mathematics were the two streams of Post Graduate Mathematics course since 1911. In 1936 Mixed Mathematics was renamed as Applied Mathematics. Later, with the beginning of Post Graduate teaching in University of Calcutta, separate Post Graduate teaching in the Department stopped although a few students enrolled in this College attend classes in the University till today. Intermediate courses were abolished in 1960. Since then there is the provision for only three-year Honours Degree courses.

There was a well equipped astronomical observatory attached to the Department which lost its importance and significance since sixties of the last century as the subject Astronomy was excluded from the Mathematics syllabus of the new Degree course.

At present a computer 1aboratory with necessary amenities is helping both teachers and students to continue study in computer programming and to have the benefits of internet connection easily. There is also a well equipped seminar library to provide Mathematics books to the students as and when necessary.