IMPA Tech opens doors to interdisciplinarity

04/04/2024

Calculus and Language Skills classes marked the second day of classes for students in the first class of IMPA Tech, IMPA’s new undergraduate program. The bachelor’s degree in Mathematics for Technology and Innovation is made up of practical and theoretical subjects, taught by researchers from the institute and professors from partner institutions. On Thursday (4), the enthusiastic students occupied the rooms on the second floor of Porto Maravalley and talked about their first impressions of the degree.

“I’m ecstatic. The classes have already exceeded my expectations and I leave here certain that what we have access to here is something that doesn’t exist in Brazilian higher education. I’m determined to complete these four years in the best possible way. I believe that IMPA Tech will train contemporary scientists to solve today’s challenges,” said Gileade Coimbra, a student from Belo Horizonte.

Linear algebra, programming, mechanics and thermodynamics are some of the subjects in the first term. The course begins with a basic cycle of one and a half years and then students choose between four emphases: Mathematics, Computer Science, Data Science and Physics.

For student Thayná Queiroz, practical classes are the highlight of her degree. “Practicing in the area of exact sciences is fundamental and doing this alongside the teachers is going to be really cool,” she said.

Tomaz de Lucena, on the other hand, said that the second day of classes had already proved that graduating will be challenging. “I really enjoyed it. I think these years will be very challenging. However, with every challenge comes a reward and I hope that all our efforts here will be rewarded,” said the student who came from Recife to study in Rio de Janeiro.

The disciplinary and differentiated curriculum also drew praise from Professor Cilene Rodrigues, who is responsible for the “Language Skills” subject. The choice of this subject as part of the IMPA Tech curriculum reinforces the centrality of communication in our lives – indispensable for professional and academic success.

“Since the inauguration ceremony, we’ve all been talking about artificial intelligence, but the development of this technology depends on knowledge from different areas. It’s essentially interdisciplinary. With the degree, IMPA is opening doors to interdisciplinarity, to this more comprehensive construction of knowledge,” he said.

Excited about the new challenge, the teacher said she felt at home with the group of students. “My first impressions are very positive! They are very interested students, who are attuned and very open to knowledge. Here we are building a generation of mathematicians who are going to solve real problems in our country,” she concluded.

Remaining vacancies

Last Monday (1st), IMPA published a call for applications to fill remaining undergraduate vacancies. The list of reclassified candidates is available at impatech.impa.br. Students who have been called up have until Friday (5) to complete their registration. The aim is to fill the 100 places planned for the first year of the degree course. Click here to see who has been selected.

Read more: IMPA Tech issues new call for students for remaining vacancies
See also: IMPA Tech is a ‘bicycle goal’, says Lula at inauguration