General Information

Mathematics is a very precise language. Its universal character and precision has stimulated, and continues to stimulate the mathematisation of scientific, technological and medical advances, and in economics and social sciences as well. Innovations today are much more dependent on mathematical advances and methods than was the case just a few decades ago. Control of complex production cycles, analysis of financial markets, and insurance processing models all depend on mathematical simulations and high-performance computers. This is why the role of the mathematician continues to expand, both as a mediator of thought processes and working methods, an analyst of complicated processes and primary relationships, a designer of models and algorithms and their implementation in computer systems.

The aim of mathematics studies is to qualify students to draft and to analyse mathematical models of complex issues, as well as to independently solve scientific problems with the aid of mathematical theories and methods. We strive to ensure a broad mathematical education that stimulates analytical thinking and mathematical imagination, empowering our students to independently incorporate this knowledge into various areas of activity, and to master ever-evolving workplace challenges.

The Master programme Applied Mathematics is meant to build on undergraduate knowledge acquired in the Bachelor programme, to consolidated the student’s understanding of specialist fields, and to introduce them to new techniques and corresponding applications

Areas of related interests

Graduates of the Bachelor Programme Business Mathematics have a wide spectrum of job opportunities in business, industry and science. Mathematicians find employment in insurance companies, banks, manufacturers in the transport sector, medical technology, environmental technology and in software firms. Science facilities interested in hiring mathematicians include universities and universities of applied sciences, e.g. Max-Planck, Fraunhofer Society, Federal Statistical Office of Germany, State Statistical Offices and Meteorological Services. On the strength of their abstract-logic abilities that enable them to analyse and solve problems, mathematicians often very successfully exercise interesting, if unrelated tasks. Such talents are also of great use in other fields, particularly those driving the innovation process.

Admissions requirements

Admission to the Applied Mathematics programmes requires a Bachelor degree in mathematics or business mathematics; holders of a Bachelor degree from other mathematics programmes are accepted after they pass an examination to determine suitability. This examination can be waived if an applicant’s grade point average in a Bachelor mathematics or business mathematics programme is better than 2.3.

A preparatory internship beyond the applicant’s work experience in the context of a Bachelor degree programme is not required, but recommended.

As a rule, classes in the Master programme Applied Mathematics start in the winter semester. The programme is to be completed in 4 semesters.

Degree: Master of Science

Course Structure

The Master programme Applied Mathematics entails two specialisation courses:

- Mathematics with an applied subject in scientific or technical fields (MST)

- Business Mathematics (BM).

Both specialisation courses ensure a broad selection of individual qualification profiles. Mentors are available to help students choose a selection of modules that is best for them.

The module complexes are

- Mathematics Specialisation:

Modules in this complex serve chiefly to prepare students for their Master’s Thesis, and generally one course from each of the profile areas:

Optimisation (each year)

Stochastics (every other year)

Partial differential equations and optimisation (every other year)

Numerics (every other year)

(students specialising in BM can write their Master’s Thesis in an economics subject.)

- Advance Mathematics:

Modules in the advanced mathematics complex serve to underpin students’ knowledge of mathematics and are recommended as a supplement to the mathematics specialisation complex. Both are applied mathematics fields, although pure mathematics courses can also be selected.

- Applied Subject (specialist field MST)

or Economics and Law (specialist field BM),

and transdisciplinary courses, Master seminars, Master’s Thesis and defence.

Applied Subjects (specialist field MST):

Students select modules from other science programmes ( e.g. Physics, Computer Science) or engineering programmes (e.g. Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Sciences).

Economics and Law (specialist field BM):

Modules can be selected from the fields of business administration, economics or law.

The aim of courses in an applied subject or in economics and law is to deepen knowledge and skills in a typical mathematics applications, particularly in the areas of mathematical modelling and problem-solving using mathematical methods, beyond those acquired in the Bachelor programme.

Special features

Through courses in the applied subject or in economics and law, the Masters programme Applied Mathematics shares a number common learning events with other subjects. Professional contacts of these kind help students to successfully complete their degree programmes within the prescribed period.

This programme is organised according to the so-called “Cottbus Model”, which consists of integrating additional humanities and social science subjects (transdisciplinarity) into pure scientific curriculum. The aim is to give our graduates an understanding of technology and society which goes beyond usual technical competencies, they learn scientific working methods, how to work interdentally and flexibly and a capacity for teamwork.

The BTU’s mathematics programme offers exceptional study conditions such as excellent advisory services by the teaching staff, a dedicated Faculty Library and modern computer, and software facilities. Students have access to their own dedicated computer room.

 Regulamins