The Department of Mathematics Education was opened in 1944. In subsequent years, it underwent the structural changes according to the areas of study (algebra, geometry, mathematical analysis). Nowadays, the department offers the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes on teaching mathematics and delivers mathematics-related disciplines within other degree programmes (e.g. Psychology, Physics, Biology and Physical Training). Since 1960, the department has been running the post-graduate programme on geometry and topology.

Based on the experience gained while checking works of schoolchildren under the Unified State Examination, the teaching staff of the department designed and launched the professional development programmes for teachers of mathematics “Theory and practice of training schoolchildren to solve geometric problems at the Unified State Examination in mathematics” and “Theory and practice of training schoolchildren to solve financial and Olympiad problems at the Unified State Exam in mathematics”. The continuing professional education for teachers of mathematics is ensured through the programme “Theory and methods of teaching mathematics in educational institutions”.

The department actively involves its teaching staff and students in research. Thanks to the research team, the students examine the mathematical problems of various levels and solve them using computer technology, e.g. GeoGebra and Maxima. This activity enables the students to win the competitions and Olympiads, such as “I am professional”.

The Physics and Mathematics School established at the Faculty of Physics, Mathematics and Natural Sciences and contributed by the Department of Mathematics Education operates for Penza schoolchildren. The experienced teaching staff familiarises the schoolchildren with the tasks of increased complexity (mathematics, physics) and train to solve olympiad problems (mathematics, physics). In addition to classes, the students of the department hold intellectual competitions, cultural and educational events for the schoolchildren as part of career guidance.

In terms of extracurricular activities the department organises such events as the intellectual game “Math expert”, mathematics game “Think. Calculate. Solve”, competitions “Lon-awaited teacher”, “Teacher of mathematics: first steps”, “Teaching debut”, video greetings contest “New Year hustle” and many others. Annually the students and teaching staff arrange the competition “Mathematics tournament” and olympiad in mathematics for schoolchildren from Penza gymnasiums, lyceums and schools.

DEGREE PROGRAMMES

Bachelor

     Teacher Training: Mathematics

Master

     Teacher Training: Mathematics

Post-graduate

     Geometry and Topology

RESEARCH

Research topics

•    Linear algebras and their applications
•    Differential geometry
•    Solving mathematical problems using computer technology
•    Differential-geometric structures and their automorphisms
•    Theory of probability and mathematical statistics
•    Operational calculus and stability theory
•    Analytic geometry of Euclidean space
•    Left-invariant para-Sasakian structure on the Heisenberg group
•    Contact and almost contact structures on the real extension of the Lobachevsky plane

Collaboration

M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University
Moscow Pedagogical State University
Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University
Tver State University
I.S. Turgenev Orel State University
Gymnasium no. 13
School no. 18
School no. 78
Gymnasium no. 4 “Stupeni” (steps)

CONTACTS

Prof. Dr. Vladimir Panzhenskii
Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor
Head of the Department of Mathematics Education

37 Lermontova Street, building 13, floor 3, office 34
Tel: +7 (8412) 20-36-20
E-mail: kaf-geom@yandex.ru
Web-page of the Department of Mathematics Education (in Russian)