The essential role of science and technology in modern times, be it in the realms of physical sciences, biological sciences, medical sciences, social sciences, engineering, agriculture, finance, commerce, business and management cannot be over emphasized. So it was quite natural that the Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (MNS) was established as one of the key departments of BRAC University when it started its journey in 2001.  MNS Department has been providing quality education in basic and applied sciences to the students of different disciplines of BRACU including its own.

Goals and Objectives

The last century belonged to physical sciences while the 21st century belongs to life sciences. However, with the discovery of Higgs boson in a Large Hadron Collider experiment at CERN, the interest in physics has been revitalised. Both fields belong to the vast arena of natural sciences. Understanding this importance, the Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences was established as one of the key departments. It is actively involved in teaching and research in these disciplines. It offers courses in physics, applied physics, chemistry, biology, biotechnology, microbiology, mathematics, statistics, economic geography and environmental sciences, etc.

Academic Programs

• Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics and Electronics (APE)
• Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology
• Master of Science in Biotechnology
• Bachelor of Science in Microbiology
• Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
• Bachelor of Science in Physics

The department also offers double majors and minors in physics, APE, biotechnology, microbiology and mathematics. Most of the students pursuing the aforementioned programs are under merit scholarship.

Research and Achievements

A plasma astrophysics laboratory with major facilities has been set up for the first time in Bangladesh under the keen supervision of expert faculty. Research facilities for polymer physics under physics and applied physics disciplines are also being developed. The research programs in life sciences in the department incorporate vital areas of medical, environmental and plant biotechnology with well-equipped laboratories.

The department also has collaborative projects at various reputed research institutes like IdeSHi, BIRDEM, the University of Dhaka, BCSIR, the Bangladesh University of Health Sciences and the Centre National de la Recerche Scientifique in Grenoble, France.

The department has also signed memorandums of understanding on taking up R/D initiatives jointly with BAEC, BRAC ARDC, ICDDR,B and ACI Ltd. Many of the postgraduate students have achieved awards in international and national scientific conferences for their research.

Faculty Overview

Faculty-wise, the department is the second largest in BRACU having a total of 42 full-time teachers along with 12 teaching assistants. The faculty is a blend of young and brilliant teachers with PhDs or Master’s degrees attained from abroad. Choosing teaching and research as their vocation, they bring along years of teaching and research experience at prestigious academic, research and development institutions both at home and abroad.