This section is meant to present a broad
brush overview of several aspects of the BSM Program:
Participant Profile
Participation in the BSM Program has tripled since its inception. The mean home
school grade point average of a participant is just over 3.7 on a scale of 4,
with mathematics grade point slightly higher. Other than the fact that
participants are talented and motivated in mathematics they are the most
heterogeneous group I have ever been associated with. In general BSM students are an adventurous lot who tend to engage
their chosen activities with spirited determination and energy. Several recent
participants have used their ``spare time'' to play in one of the Liszt
Academy's orchestras, others have served Hungarian relief organizations aiding
refugees from Romania and countries of the former Yugoslavia, several have
joined sports teams in swimming, soccer, fencing; all have taken the opportunity
to investigate various parts of Hungary and the surrounding European countries.
Most of our students attend their first opera in Budapest and many become
devotees of the classical musical and intellectual culture which is still
vibrant and affordable. Although the BSM Program does not organize outings we do post information concerning
cultural events and show students where they can purchase tickets, but little
encouragement is needed. These students are competent and engaged!
Two semesters are offered each year; each
semester comprises fourteen weeks of teaching and one week of comprehensive
examinations. Fall Term begins the first week of September and ends in mid
December, while the Spring Term begins the first week of February and ends in
May. There are midterm breaks in each semester. The aforementioned intensive
Hungarian language course offered by the Babilon School of Languages begins
about two weeks prior to the beginning of each semester. Although this course
is optional, students who attend emerge from the noncredited eighty hours with
a solid survival Hugarian.
Students receive orientation materials from
the North American Office and both an orientation packet and lecture/discussion
at the beginning of each term in Budapest.
Students normally take three to four
mathematics courses and one or two intercultural courses each semester. The BSM
Program offers Beginning and Advanced
Hungarian Language, Central European History and a Hungarian Culture course
each semester. About twenty additional nonmathematics courses are available to BSM
students through other American
programs taught at the College International. A complete listing of these can
be found at our website.
The mathematics courses offered by BSM vary slightly from semester to semester depending on
what preregistration choices the students have selected and also which
instructors are in Hungary at the time.
BSM Core Courses Mathematics
|
COURSE CODE |
COURSE TITLE |
|
AAL |
Advanced Algebra |
|
AN1 |
Introductions to Analysis |
|
ANT |
Topics in Analysis |
|
CLX |
Complex Functions |
|
CO1 |
Combinatorics 1 |
|
CO2 |
Combinatorics 2 |
|
C&P |
Conjecture and Proof |
|
GEO |
Topics in Geometry |
|
GTT |
Topics in Graph Theory |
|
NUA |
Number Theory A |
|
NUB |
Number Theory B |
|
PRO |
Probability Theory |
|
RFM |
Real Functions and Measures |
|
SET |
Set Theory |
|
STA |
Statistical Methods |
|
THC |
Theory of Computing |
|
|
|
Non-Mathematics
|
COURSE NO. |
TITLE |
|
HIS |
European History |
|
HL1 |
Hungarian Language 1 |
|
HL2 |
Hungarian Language 2 |
|
HUC |
Hungarian Culture |
Each course meets 3-4 hours per week. Classes
are taught in English by eminent Hungarian professors, most of whom have had
teaching experience in North American universities. In keeping with Hungarian
tradition, teachers closely monitor each individual student's progress.
Considerable time is devoted to problem solving and encouraging student creativity. Emphasis is on depth of understanding rather than on
the quantity of material.
The imprint of the Hungarian tradition is
particularly prominent in some of the courses. ``Combinatorics'' and ``Topics
in Graph Theory'' concentrate on combinatorial structures and algorithms, a
stronghold of Hungarian mathematics. These courses, along with ``Theory of
Computing'', are a valuable introduction to Theoretical Computer Science.
``Number Theory,'' especially the advanced course ``Number Theory B,'' displays
the mark of Paul Erdos's profound influence on the subject. ``Conjecture and
Proof'', even more than other courses, introduces the student to the excitement
of mathematical discovery. Concepts, methods, ideas and paradoxes that have startled
or puzzled mathematicians for centuries will be reinvented and examined under
the guidance of enthusiastic and experienced instructors. The topics covered
range from ancient problems of geometry and arithmetic to 20th century measure
theory and mathematical logic.
Credits
Upon completion of program, students receive
an American style transcript which lists courses taken and a grade (A, A-, B+,
etc.). Normally, official transcripts are also sent directly from the North
American Office both to the student and to the student's home institution.
Course materials are designed so that credits will be easily transferable to
North American colleges and universities.