Mathematics Education in Russia
by Nicholas V. Semin
Moscow State University
Sponsored by the Office of International Programs, SEHD and the Preparing
Future Faculty Program in the Department of Mathematical Sciences
Math education in the Russian Federation differs greatly from
the American system but also has many similarities. This lecture provides a
brief overview of the structure of math education in Russia. As the largest
and most prestigious of Russia's state universities, Moscow State University
plays a leading role in creating and developing the approaches used in the
teaching of mathematics in my country. The aim of the lecture is to describe
the state of mathematics education in Russian society today and to try to
compare it to the American model. We can then find common points of
interest, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both models, and
exchange points of view. The lecture includes a multimedia presentation on
Moscow State University and several charts and diagrams. Perhaps of greatest
interest will be the examples mathematics students graduating from
high school need to know to enter Moscow State University as well as
examples from entrance examinations in math required by different university
departments.
Nicholas Semin was born in Moscow, Russia.
He currently holds positions at the Moscow State University
and the State University of New York's Center on Russia
and the United States, where he is the co-director.