<p>Anyone have experience with Rice's Math Department? How does it compare with other top schools? How are the classes run? How about research opportunities - are they available freshman year, how competitive are they?</p>
<p>The range of courses available is not quite as good as, say, Princeton or Chicago. The level of the most challenging courses not as high. The mathematical life, as a whole, definitely not as rich. But there are good qualities. A higher proportion of Professors can, and do, teach undergraduates. Some, such as Robin Forman, are brilliant expositors of challenging ideas. Undergraduates freely take graduate level courses [which compensates for the more limited offerings]. The department is personable, is friendly, is encouraging of young students. A very good place for those with some flaw in their mathematical development to grow-- and be helped to grow-- into strong graduate students.</p>
<p>Thank you for the thoughtful response. It is promising to hear that many professors are teaching undergrads, and that undergraduates have the freedom to take graduate courses.</p>
<p>What did you mean about “mathematical life” being “not as rich”?</p>
<p>Any info on research opportunities?</p>
<p>Anyone else have any insight into Rice’s math department and research opportunities?</p>
<p>It’s worth noting that Robin Forman is no longer at Rice, having moved on to being Emory’s dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. But I think Igor’s point still stands.</p>
<p>Research is incredibly easy to get into with the STAT,CAAM, and Math departments. I’m doing research this summer with the CAAM department. All I did was email a professor about a project, met with him the next day, and bam I have a grant and a exciting project.</p>