Mathematics (Master)

Starting mathematicians should

• become familiar with the characteristic methods of mathematical reasoning,
• acquire comprehensive knowledge of the methods of pure and applied mathematics
• independently arrange and solve mathematical questions

A study of mathematics promotes the

• ability to think abstractly
• gift for penetrating complex issues
• perseverance and creativity in solving problems

The Bavarian Higher Education Act (BayHSchG) requires a "special qualification" for enrolling in a Master's degree program.

For the master's degree in mathematics at the University of Würzburg, substantive requirements are set:

1. Degree in a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Computational Mathematics or Mathematical Physics with 180 ECTS credits or a comparable degree program,
2. Competences amounting to at least 70 ECTS credits in the following areas of mathematics: calculus (differential and integral calculus in one and more variables), ordinary differential equations, partial differential equations, vector analysis, function theory, linear algebra, algebra, number theory, geometry, discrete mathematics, Functional Analysis, Numerical Mathematics, Stochastics, Financial Mathematics, Operations Research, Optimization, Modeling, Scientific Computing,
3. Competencies amounting to at least 10 ECTS credits in the above-mentioned or other areas of mathematics.
4. Competences amounting to at least 30 ECTS credits in any field of mathematics or in areas where mathematical methods are used (e.g. biology, chemistry, geography, computer science, philosophy, physics, economics),

To enable an uninterrupted transition from undergraduate to postgraduate studies, a "conditional" admission can be applied for, provided that one of the degrees mentioned in 1. above can be used to prove the acquisition of 150 ECTS credits. The requirements mentioned in 2. to 4. must be met in any case. For a final admission to the Master's degree program in Mathematics, a degree listed in 1 has to be submitted by the end of the re-registration deadline for the third semester.

Deadlines

For the suitability procedure, two deadlines must be observed.

• Until July 15 (if applying for the winter semester) or until January 15 (if applying for the summer semester)  an online application must be submitted under WueStudy. JMU students can use their JMU account, external applicants must first register for an applicant account. (Since December 9, 2021, the online application will no longer be made on the JMU Master's portal.)
• Until September15 (if applying for the winter semester) or until March 15 (if applying for the summer semester), proof of first degree or proof of performance can be submitted later.

Attention: July 15 and January 15, respectively, is an exclusion period, i.e. an application for the respective semester after the deadline is no longer possible. On the other hand, documents can very well be submitted by the second specified deadline.

After receiving your online application on the Master-Portal, we will contact you by e-mail and let you know the status of your application.

Information and contact

For questions about the aptitude procedure, the mathematical study advisers are available. Once a semester, there will be an information session of the study counseling in good time before the application deadline.

Mathematicians easily achieve good career prospects, both in situation of economic stability and difficulties. According to STERN, "the entire unemployed mathematicians in Germany would at most fill a bus". A degree in mathematics attests to the ability of the graduates (whether Mathematics, Financial Mathematics, Computational Mathematics or Mathematical Physics). Indeed mathematicians

• are able to work within complex contexts quite quickly,
• identify the core of a problem and separate what is not essential,
• find creative solutions,
• use profound mathematical expertise and techniques that are not typical of graduates of other programs.

All these characteristics combined with visible knowledge of the needs of the "mathematics users" results in the entry ticket to a crisis-proof workplace. Indeed mathematicians can integrate several applied subjects in mathematics for the sector of economics and finance, making use of typical tools of Financial Mathematics. Similarly mathematicians of Mathematical Physics and Computational Mathematics can apply their knowledge in natural and engineering sciences.

Study and examination regulations Subject-specific provisions for the Master's program Mathematics (PO 2019)

• General study and examination regulations for Bachelor and Master courses (ASPO)
• Subject-specific provisions for the Master's program of Mathematics (2019)

The examination board is i.a. responsible for

• the recognition, at the beginning of studies, of achievements that have been acquired in previous study programs or at another study location,
• questions about the current study,
• gender equality.

to the current cast

Module catalogue

There are no compulsory modules in the Master program of Mathematics. The elective area (90 ECTS) is divided into the following subareas:

• Mathematics (30-80 ECTS)
• Seminar and working group area (10-60 ECTS)
• Learning by Teaching (0-10 ECTS)
• Scope and application internship (0-30 ECTS)

Possible integrated application compartments are:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Aerospace Computer Science
• Physics

A list of all possible modules can be found in the subject-specific provisions or in the module catalogue  .

Find out about the current offer in the course catalog.

Learning by Teaching means supervising an exercise or tutorial group in the bachelor's program under the guidance of the respective lecturer. This can be done twice for every 5 ECTS.

These modules require appropriate skills. Application is made to the teaching coordinator.

The optional internship (10 ECTS) is a practical activity in business, industry, research or administration, which should have a duration of about 300 hours.

Prior consultation with a supervising lecturer is urgently required to ensure that the internship complies with minimum content requirements.

The master's thesis is the last major exam in your master's program. This written work is designed to show that you are able to work on a (mathematical) problem in a defined period of time (six months).

The master's thesis can be started at any time.

At the very earliest, you should start your master's thesis before the beginning of your 6th semester, so that you can still use the full processing time to complete the work before the beginning of your 7th semester (at the beginning of the 7th semester, your master's degree program will not be considered as the first passed!).

The topic of a master's thesis usually results from a seminar or a working group. In accordance with your mathematical interests (see Overview of the Chairs of the Institute of Mathematics), you should personally contact a lecturer in mathematics and define a topic directly with him / her (your own suggestions are possible!). Potential supervisors are all lecturers in mathematics. If you have found a supervisor and a topic for your thesis, print out this form, fill it out together with your supervisor and hand it over to Ms. Schmid (Mathematik Ost, Zi. 00.016). This will make the topic of your thesis and the date of submission (date of issue of the topic + 6 months) official and binding.

Only in well justified cases (examination inability, with certificate!) the processing time can be extended on application with the examination board and in consultation with the supervisor.

For regulations concerning passing the thesis to the university see here.

There is no colloquium for the master's thesis.

Subject-specific provisions for the Master's program in Mathematics (PO 2016)

Module catalogue

Besides changes in the aptitude test, that is no longer relevant for you, there are only some additional modules in the PO 2019.

Subject-specific provisions for the Master's program in Mathematics (PO 2013)