Basic natural phenomena and mathematical thinking
The Faculty of Mathematics and Science conducts cutting-edge research in mathematics and natural sciences, with mathematical thinking and the study of basic natural phenomena at different scales forming the foundation of the faculty’s work and research.
Building on this foundation, the faculty’s wide-ranging research addresses three multidisciplinary areas of impact. Planetary wellbeing is advanced by developing a climate-resilient and nature-positive, resource-wise future in which the needs of humans and the rest of nature are aligned over the long term. Health and safety are strengthened by improving wellbeing and society’s resilience to crises through a multidisciplinary approach and by creating a framework for new innovations. Advanced materials and technologies are developed by seeking new solutions for future needs and helping turn them into technology that benefits society.
Our goal is to be open to new and emerging fields of research where opportunities for scientific breakthroughs and significant societal impact are recognised.
The cutting-edge research in the Faculty of Mathematics and Science focuses on basic natural phenomena, ranging from quarks to the structure of the universe and from molecules to ecosystems. The faculty’s wide-ranging research, grounded in our exploration of mathematical thinking, encompasses the following multidisciplinary areas of impact:
- Cooperation with business and industry promotes companies’ product development, generates research topics for the University’s applied research, and brings about innovations.
- Cooperation with research institutes and other universities brings together each party’s strengths, promotes the joint use of research infrastructure, and creates innovative research opportunities.
- Cooperation with the public sector leads to informed decisions and provides a basis for building a sustainable society. Regional cooperation is important for the development of regional vitality.
- Interaction with Finnish society and individuals is a natural and important part of the faculty’s work. Science education aims at getting children and youth interested in the natural sciences and inspiring the scientific experts of the future.
- Through citizen science, ordinary people get a chance to participate in research as producers of research knowledge, while researchers make research knowledge available to the general public at various events, such as Luontoilta (in which experts answer questions about nature), city festivals, and public lectures.
Basic research in mathematics and natural phenomena provides a strong basis for new innovations and close collaboration between researchers, partners, and stakeholders across various fields.
Centre of Excellence funding is the most significant individual funding instrument of the Research Council of Finland. CoEs are research and researcher training environments with clear research objectives and shared leadership. The Flagship Programme of the Research Council of Finland supports high-quality research along with the broad economic and societal impact it generates.
Several ERC researchers and Academy Professors also work in the faculty’s core field. ERC researchers are leading international experts in their fields, selected by the European Research Council. Academy Professorships are the most prestigious research positions among those funded by the Research Council of Finland.
In addition, several ERC researchers and academy professors are active in the field. Cooperation with other universities, research institutes, such as CERN, GSI, Brookhaven, FAIR, Oxford, Cambridge, and various research groups around the globe produce high level scientific knowledge published in acknowledged international journals.