Before Starting your Studies

Why Study Mathematics

With a degree in mathematics, you will acquire skills that are in high demand and extremely useful: analytical thinking, a creative and systematic approach to complex problems, and a precise and structured way of working. You will thus be well-equipped to tackle any challenges in a wide variety of professions, whether in the finance and insurance industries, in software development (including AI), in optimization (logistics, routing, all types of processes), or in fields related to physics, biology, or climate research. In addition to these practical aspects, mathematics is also a fascinating and wonderful field that offers a highly interesting and engaging pursuit.

Degree Programs

Bachelor's Degree Programs

The bachelor’s degree programs provide a solid yet broad education in mathematics as the key to understanding complex structures and relationships. Students gain an initial, in-depth understanding of central concepts, methods, and mathematical objects. As a result, the program lays an excellent foundation for further specialization and a wide range of career opportunities.

• B.Sc. in Mathematics
• B.Sc. in Business Mathematics

Master's Programs

The master's programs have a clear research focus and provide in-depth expertise in many areas of mathematics. The program offers a wide range of specialization options. Graduates are thus qualified for challenging positions in research, industry, finance, and science management.

The master's program in mathematics offers research-oriented and in-depth training in the areas of specialization represented at the institute:

• Algebraic Geometry
• Analysis, Mathematical Physics, and Numerical Methods
• (Differential) Geometry and Topology
• Artificial Intelligence and Mathematical Data Science
• Stochastics and Financial Mathematics

The master’s program in Financial and Actuarial Mathematics is a highly interdisciplinary program. It focuses on issues in financial and actuarial mathematics. The program offers numerous areas of specialization and combines mathematical expertise with content from statistics, business administration, economics, and computer science.

The TMP (Theoretical Mathematical Physics) Elite Master's program offers a broad yet in-depth education and places particular emphasis on the close integration of mathematics and physics, as well as on the interdisciplinary transfer of knowledge.

Teacher Education Programs

The teacher education programs combine a solid academic foundation in mathematics with in-depth training in mathematics education and pedagogy. They equip prospective teachers to convey abstract concepts in an accessible way and to inspire young people to engage in mathematical thinking. In this way, they make a decisive contribution to education and to the sustainability of our society. The Department of Mathematics offers teacher education programs for high school teaching, for teaching mathematics at elementary, secondary, and middle schools, as well as for mathematics education at elementary, secondary, and special education schools. In addition to the subject-specific focus of these programs, they also include courses—in varying proportions—on mathematics education, that is, the science of teaching and learning mathematics.

At LMU Munich, you can study mathematics to become a teacher in the following degree programs:

• Teacher Certification for High Schools with Mathematics as an Advanced Subject
• Teacher Certification for Secondary Schools with Mathematics as a Subject
• Teacher Certification for Middle Schools with Mathematics as a Subject
• Teacher Certification for Elementary Schools with Mathematics as a Subject

In addition, at LMU Munich, you can study mathematics education (without majoring in mathematics) as part of the following degree programs:

• Teacher Certification for Middle Schools with Mathematics as a Subject of Pedagogy
• Elementary School Teaching Degree with Mathematics as a Teaching Methodology Course
• Teacher Certification in Special Education with Mathematics as a Subject of Pedagogy (Elementary School)
• Teacher Certification in Special Education with Mathematics as a Teaching Subject (Middle School)
• As part of the bachelor's degree program in Prevention, Integration, and Rehabilitation (PIR) for Hearing Impairment
• As part of the master's program in Learning Sciences
• As part of the master's program in Business Education

Doctoral Degree and Habilitation

A Ph.D. and habilitation at the Institute of Mathematics at LMU Munich offer you an opportunity to launch or advance your career in research. We actively support you as you begin your career through mentorship from our renowned researchers and access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure.

What can mathematicians do after graduating?

Today, typical fields of work for mathematicians include

• Banks and Insurance Companies
• Consulting and Controlling
• Information and High Technology
• Colleges and Universities and Research Institutions
• Teacher Education

Many of these fields are particularly well-represented in Munich. In addition, mathematicians have the highest average earnings among all college graduates in the mathematics and natural sciences sector.

What types of degrees are available?

There are various degree programs that lead to one of the following degrees

• Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
• Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics
• Master of Science in Mathematics
• Master of Science in Applied Mathematics
• State Examination (Teacher Certification)
• Master of Science in the Elite Master's Program in "Theoretical and Mathematical Physics"

. As a rule, switching between these degree programs is not a problem even after a few semesters, so the decision regarding a degree program is not final.

What are the requirements for studying mathematics?

The only formal requirement is the Abitur; there are no other admission restrictions (numerus clausus) for mathematics. An important personal requirement is, of course, an interest in and enjoyment of mathematics; a certain degree of aptitude is also necessary.

When can you start studying mathematics?

It makes sense to begin a mathematics program in either the winter or summer semester; however, introductory courses for students minoring in mathematics or those pursuing it as a second teaching subject (for high school teaching certification) are sometimes offered only in the winter semester. The program for teaching mathematics at elementary, middle, and secondary schools, however, is designed to begin in the winter semester.

What is it actually like to study mathematics?

The program consists (initially) primarily of participation in three different types of courses:

• Lectures: In these sessions, a professor presents the most important course material.
• Exercises: The exercises reinforce the material covered in the lectures. To this end, a worksheet is distributed once a week during the lecture, which students then complete on their own (possibly also in groups). The solutions to the problems are then turned in and graded by the teaching assistants. The graded worksheets are then discussed in small groups. Participation in the exercises is absolutely essential for understanding the material; after all, mathematics and its unique methods of work can only be learned by doing them yourself.
• Seminars: Seminars are discussion groups in which participants give presentations themselves, thereby teaching the material to themselves and others.

In addition, there are supplementary educational offerings, such as tutorials and office hours with professors and teaching assistants. The program concludes with the submission of a written thesis, which you will write yourself during your final semester.

What does a typical class schedule look like?

In the first two semesters, students in the major programs typically take two courses: Analysis I (i.e., differential and integral calculus) and Linear Algebra I (which covers the theory of systems of linear equations and vector spaces). Each of these lectures takes place twice a week and lasts two hours (i.e., usually two 45-minute sessions with a 15-minute break). Each of these lectures is accompanied by a two-hour exercise session. This adds up to a total of 2 × (4 + 2) = 12 hours per week. Depending on the degree program, there may also be courses in minor subjects.

Bridge Course

The Department of Mathematics offers a bridge course every year. This course is designed for students who wish to pursue advanced studies in mathematics (Bachelor’s in Mathematics, Bachelor’s in Mathematical Economics, or a teaching degree for high school). During this two-week in-person course, held before the start of the lecture period, students develop study methods and learning strategies particularly relevant to their degree programs, are introduced to key proof methods, and review topics from high school mathematics. In addition, students have the opportunity to get to know their future classmates and experience everyday university life even before the semester begins. In recent years, these courses have consistently proven their value and were rated as very helpful by students even in retrospect after the end of their first semester.

You can find information about the bridge course under "Upcoming Events."