[1] CMI is noted for its research in algebraic geometry, in particular in the area of moduli[2] of bundles.

The SPIC Science Foundation was set up in 1986 by Southern Petrochemical Industries Corporation (SPIC) Ltd., one of the major industrial houses in India, to foster the growth of science and technology in the country.

In the initial years, the Ph.D. programme was affiliated to the BITS, Pilani and the University of Madras.

[6] In 1998, CMI took the initiative to bridge the gap between teaching and research by starting B.Sc.(Hons.)

CMI moved into its new campus on 5 acres (20,000 m2) of land at the SIPCOT Information Technology Park in Siruseri in October, 2005.

The campus is located along the Old Mahabalipuram Road, which is developing as the IT corridor to the south of the city.

The library block and the student's hostel were completed in late 2006 and become operational from January 2007.

Construction is underway for a new building that will house an auditorium, accommodation for guests, as well as additional academic space - faculty offices, library and lecture halls.

Recently, CMI has introduced the possibility of students pursuing a part-time Ph.D. at the institute.

degree, have pursued higher studies in Mathematics and Computer Sciences from universities both in India and abroad.

[15] In the academic year 2005–2006, lab sessions for third-year students were conducted at IIT Madras based on an agreement.

The batch sizes typically vary from 10 to 50 and the overall strength of CMI is about 150–200 students and 40–50 faculty members.

The advertisement for this entrance test appears around the end of February or the beginning of March.

[17] Students who have passed the Indian National Mathematics Olympiad get direct admission to the programme B.Sc.(Hons.)

in Mathematics and Computer Science, and those who have passed the Indian National Physics Olympiad are offered direct entry to the B.Sc.(Hons.)

However, these students are also advised to fill in and send the application form some time in March.

[18] Students who pass the Indian National Olympiad in Informatics may be granted admission to the B.Sc.(Hons.)

[21] In mathematical physics, research included developing a path integral approach to quantum entanglement.

Toppers get to win exciting prizes and are invited to a fully funded 3-day camp at CMI.

[23] CMI faculty coordinate the training and selection of students to represent India at the International Olympiad in Informatics through the Indian Association for Research in Computing Science (IARCS).

From September 2004, a monthly online programming competition has been conducted by the CMI faculty via the IARCS website.

[20] Two of CMI's faculty members, Madhavan Mukund and Narayan Kumar, lead the Indian team to the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI).