Professors say there's no conclusive reason for the dearth of women in math.

"There's been a great deal of discussion to try to come to some conclusion as to why it is, but I have not heard a convincing explanation," says Robinson Professor of Mathematics Wilfried Schmid, who teaches Math 55. In that class, he says, everyone was admitted based solely on an objectively-scored test and two homework assignments.

The gender imbalance in math may simply reflect a larger societal problem, says Professor of Mathematics Noam D. Elkies.

"Our society is still laboring under some misconception that tends to steer women away from fields such as math and physics," Elkies says.

Graustein Professor of Mathematics Raoul Bott blamed female students' high school experiences. Women may be discouraged, and not as well-prepared, because of these earlier classes.

"Math has always been perceived as a not very female occupation," Bott says, "and I think that comes from high school more than anything here."

Others say the dearth of women may perpetuate itself, as women feel isolated or alone in a largely male department.

"I think women are in many subtle ways discouraged from trying to excel in math," says concentrator Daniel Grossman '95, who TFs in Math 55.

"There's a lot of competition the first few weeks that takes its tolls, especially on women who come and see there aren't many female math majors," he says.

Encouraging Women

The math department, like several science departments, is trying to make women comfortable in a mostly-male atmosphere, and encourage more to choose the department.

"We make an effort to make sure students understand that the math department wants them," Schmid says.

Gottlieb says the department sponsors a dinner in the fall and a brunch in the spring to bring together female undergraduates, graduate students and professors. The gatherings discuss "relevant issues" to women, Gottlieb says.

Patricia I. Hersh '95, who helped organize last year's get-togethers, says the gatherings help case the sense of isolation for some women.

"I think the purpose is to encourage women, that they're not alone," she says.