Budapest Semesters in Mathematics courses comprise 14 weeks of teaching plus one week of exams. Each course usually meets three to four times per week for a total of 42 contact hours per semester. Normally, one Budapest Semesters in Mathematics course transfers either as 3 or 4 semester hours depending on an evaluation of course material done by the home institution. 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. Courses may be taken Audit, Pass/No Credit, or Graded.
The imprint of the Hungarian tradition is particularly prominent in some of the courses.
"Combinatorics" concentrates on combinatorial structures and algorithms, a stronghold of Hungarian mathematics. The courses, along with "Theory of Computing", are a valuable introduction to Theoretical Computer Science.
"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.
Course materials are designed so that the credits will be transferable to American and Canadian colleges and universities. Normally, one BSM course transfers as either three or four semester hours depending on your home institution. Students should get advice in this regard from the Department of Mathematics or the Registrar's Office at their college or university.
Students may take as many or as few courses as they feel comfortable with (check your home institutions regulations on this!).
The “normal” course
load is four classes, but courses are available according to the
Hungarian standard. That is, once a student is accepted to
a university program of study, final course load responsibility and authority
resides with the student. Many students have taken a considerably heavier load,
with seemingly no ill effects.
During the first two weeks of the program, students will take all of the courses (European style) to get a broad overview of what courses are available. This way, student's may analyze what would best fit with their interests, or they will choose courses which are needed to complete the core curriculum for their home institution. Students usually select 3-4 courses to study for the remainder of the term. However, students may carry as many courses as they feel they can handle.
If there is a specific course the student would like to take and it is not offered, they may approach one of the professors on the program, or talk to our office manager to see whether it would be possible to offer the course.
Depending upon how many students would be interested in the suggested course, the professor will try to put together either a lecture or reading course.
Normally, one Budapest Semesters in Mathematics course transfers either as 3 or 4 semester hours depending on the home institution. For example, St. Olaf College operates on the course system; 34 courses are required to graduate. A Budapest Semesters course transfers as exactly one St. Olaf course. BSM course credits and transcripts are issued by The Technical University of Budapest..
If necessary, the student or a representative of the institution may contact the North American Director for additional information.
Upon completion of work in Budapest,the North American office will send an official transcript to the registrar's office at your home institution (unless you direct us differently). The issuing institution will be The Technical University of Budapest. Transcripts will reflect either letter grades A-F, audit, or pass. Pass denotes a grade of “C-” or above.
You may find, at a later date, that you need transcripts if you plan to apply
to graduate school. The North American office can furnish official transcripts.
Normally, the fee is five dollars per transcript. However, if you are on a tight student budget or you need many
transcripts, we ask that you send an amount of money that fits your budget. We
would rather you get all the transcripts that you require, rather than getting
a fewer number because they were too expensive.
Classes are held on the College International campus of the Technical University Budapest which is near the historic city center. When in Budapest you will meet the Student Co-ordinator and Dezso Miklos, the Program Director. They will help get you settled in your housing and show you the ropes. Dezso can help you with your academic schedule.
|
Packages or Fed Ex |
Letters Only |
|
Student Name |
Student Name |
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College International |
College International |
|
Budapest Semesters in Mathematics |
Budapest Semesters in Mathematics |
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1071 Budapest |
1406 Budapest 76 |
|
Bethlen Gabor ter 2 |
P.O. Box 51 |
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HUNGARY |
HUNGARY |
Dezso Miklos, Hungarian
Director, dezso@renyi.hu
Student
Coordinator, office@bsmath.hu
BSM Office from North America:
011-36-1-413-3038
BSM mobile phone:
011-36-30-474-3924
Office Fax: 011-36-1-413-3030
Hungary is a small country, about the size of Indiana. Its population is 10 million. Located in Central Europe, it is bordered by Slovakia on the north, Ukraine and Romania on the east, Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia to the south, and Austria on the west.
Hungary had a turbulent past. The country was invaded and was under foreign
domination for much of the second half of its 1100-year history. Defying
numerous conquerors, Hungary has maintained a distinct language and culture.
"Little Paris on the Danube" National Geographic
Budapest, a city of two million, is situated on both sides of the river Duna (Danube). Eight graceful bridges link the charming hills of Buda
on the river's west bank to cosmopolitan Pest on the east. The construction of
the Royal Palace on Buda's Castle Hill was begun
over 700 years ago. Actually, the history of this district dates even earlier;
a thousand years before the Hungarian kings,
Roman warriors maintained a military settlement there to guard the
"limes" of the Empire. Buda and Pest were united in 1872 and the
union grew into the friendly metropolis we see now in modern Budapest with its
elegant boulevards, coffeehouses, and concert halls.
The architecture of Budapest displays the influence of many other cultures---from Turkish baths reminiscent of the country's 150 years of struggle with the Ottoman Empire, to the modern Hyatt Hotel on Roosevelt square which in turn faces the 140-year-old edifice of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.
The city dominates the cultural, economic, and political life of the nation. Budapest hosts eleven universities, two opera and ballet theaters, scores of theaters, museums, art collections, and parks plus many cinemas, discos, and sports arenas.
Learning English has been quite fashionable in the country for many years. In the University virtually all faculty speak English, as do many students, to a reasonable degree. The visitor will have no difficulty finding helpful people speaking English all around Budapest. Another foreign language spoken by many Hungarians is German.
Students are asked to indicate their preference among the two housing options:
Opting for an apartment offers most of the comfort to which students are accustomed. Living with a family provides substantially less privacy, however, it could be the most rewarding choice by enhancing the cross-cultural experience.
Please note: "family" is loosely defined and could consist of the traditional mother, father, and children; elderly couples, newly married couples, or a pensioner.
All homes will be within easy reach of the university using the frequent and inexpensive public transportation. Program administrators in Budapest will help students with housing and any problems that arise.
Money Matters/Fees and Deadlines
non-refundable
tuition deposit ($750)
within 3 weeks of receiving your acceptance letter
remaining
tuition and refundable
housing/damage deposit ($400)
Before July 1 for fall term
Before December 15 for spring term
Checks should be made payable to:
"Budapest Semesters''
and sent to the North American Office:
St.
Olaf College
1520 St. Olaf Avenue
Northfield,
MN 55057
In the absence of any outstanding bills, the housing/damage deposit will be
refunded as follows:
September 30 for Spring term
March 30 for Fall term.
"Budapest Semesters'' tuition does not include the fee of the optional two-week language course preceding each semester. The language course fee, approximately 80,000 HUF, is payable directly to the language school after arrival in Budapest.
For more information about the language course, contact the Babilon Language School directly.
e-mail:
bab@mail.datanet.hu
Rents are payable in Budapest on a monthly basis.
ATM machines (accepting Cirrus, VISA, Mastercard, etc.) are widely available throughout downtown Budapest and disperse funds in both US dollars and Hungarian forints. This is an attractive and convenient method of obtaining currency.
Students may open U.S. dollar accounts at the Hungarian National Savings Bank, but most students have found using an ATM card to be the most convenient.
The use of personal checks is strongly discouraged since it may take up to two months for the checks to clear.
Information about the visa application process is included in the acceptance packet. It is your visa that will allow you to live and study in Hungary for either one semester or the full academic school year. After arrival you will be required to register your address in Budapest at the mayor's office; the BSM office in Budapest will assist you. For fees, downloadable visa forms, and other information, please go to.
http://www.mfa.gov.hu/kulkepviselet/US/en/mainpage.htm
Be aware that due to security precautions, the visa process (especially if you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen) can take two months or longer.
If you are a
non-North American citizen, please check with your home country consulate and
the Hungarian Consulate General’s Office about special documentation requirements before departure.
You can reach Budapest by air, train, or from Vienna by hydrofoil.
Many BSM students opt to travel together and spend time in other European countries before or after the semester in Budapest. You may wish to discuss your travel plans with an agency with experience in travel to and conditions in Hungary.
Here are the coordinates of a couple travel agencies that have helped students in previous years; other viable options also exist.
STA TRAVEL:
1-800-781-4040
NORTHFIELD VIP TRAVEL CENTER, attn: Dan
309 Division
Northfield, MN 55057
1-800-657-4888 toll free
phone: 1-507-645-4458
fax: 1-507-645-4331
e-mail: dan@northfieldvip.com
ON-LINE TRAVEL AGENCIES:
TRAIN:
Eurail offers a variety of train travel packages in Europe. Here is a website to check out: www.raileurope.com
Please be aware that the cost of a flight to Budapest can vary as much as several hundred dollars from one travel agency to another, so shopping around to compare prices is a good idea.
Fall semester participants are encouraged to take the Putnam exam while in Budapest. The North American BSM office will contact the Putnam advisor at your home institution, but your home institution MUST list you on their home school Putnam list to be eligible for participation.
Graduate Record Exams are administered in Budapest.
Upon acceptance to the program, the North American Director will send you a packet of forms and information.
To be eligible, students must normally (there ARE exceptions) have at least sophomore status, be in good academic standing, have completed one semester of advanced calculus (a first course in the theory of analysis) or abstract algebra by the start of the program, and be motivated to study mathematics.
Selection for the program is based on:
* 1-BSM application (electronic strongly preferred)
* 2-written recommendations (electronic strongly preferred)
* 1- official transcript (snail mail only) plus
* 6-self-addressed adhesive mailing labels (not self addreesed envelopes) with the address to which information should be sent.
Application is free. All materials must be mailed or emailed to the North American Director.
Our procedure is to accept applications on a rolling basis.
Deadlines for
applications:
*Fall semester --- April 30
*Spring semester --- November 1