• Do you enjoy logical and creative problem solving, and examining things in depth?
• You don’t shy away from numbers and formulas?
• Do you have a fascination and passion for challenging problems?
• Do you have a strong imagination and the ability to think in abstract terms?

If you answered “yes” to these questions, then a degree in Mathematics is the right choice for you.

Those with a general intellectual curiosity, the ability to express themselves precisely and clearly, and the endurance and patience to work through frustration will be ideally equipped for the program.

Good prior knowledge of mathematics will help in the early stages of the program. Our preparatory courses help ensure that all students are on an equal footing after their secondary education. Strong proficiency in English will make it easier to read and understand the specialist literature in English (the international language of science). However, you will not have to provide proof of your language skills.

The degree program at JGU comprises the necessary fundamentals of the various sub-fields of mathematics as well as a large and varied selection of electives. You can choose your own focus and courses to suit your personal preferences and interests:

Fundamentals (1st–2nd semester)

• Linear algebra and geometry
• Analysis with one or more variables
• Introduction to programming
• Introduction to numerical analysis
• Introduction to stochastics

Electives (3rd–6th semester)

• Algebra
• Algebraic curves and Riemann surfaces
• Computer algebra
• Function theory
• Topology
• Number theory
• Functional analysis
• Differential geometry
• Differential equations
• Numerical analysis
• Stochastics
• Manifolds and vector analysis
• Data structures and efficient algorithms

Those studying Mathematics as a major can also select a minor in a field closely associated with mathematics. These include:

• Physics
• Computer Science
• Biology
• History of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
• Economics
• Philosophy

Stay abroad

Would you like to live abroad for a semester or a year? Do you want to learn another language and get to know a new culture? Or gain a different perspective on your particular subject? A stay abroad provides you with the perfect opportunity to achieve this and is possible with every degree program – either self-organized or by taking advantage of one of the popular exchange programs. This is made possible by various cooperation agreements and partnerships with foreign universities.

For more information on this topic, please visit our websites on studying abroad. Visit our student exchange platform for an overview of cooperating universities in your field.

This program of study does not require you to spend time abroad, but you nevertheless have the opportunity to do so.

A study abroad typically fits in best after the fourth semester.

Internships

This program of study does not include a mandatory internship. However, voluntary internships are a great way to gain insight into a professional field.

An internship allows you to discover whether everyday life in a particular occupation suits your career expectations and interests. You can gain qualifications for a professional field and acquire important professional and personal skills to start a career. An internship helps you both shape your career path, and mold the remainder of your course sequence – in particular by selecting specializations that suit your practical experience.

You can find further information and relevant internships on the Career Service website.

Identifying complex relationships and structures, analytical thinking and problem-solving capabilities, the ability to think in abstract terms and formulate creative approaches to complex problems – the talents of mathematicians are in higher demand on the job market than ever. You can find work in a variety of fields and professions, including private sector commerce, banking and insurance, and in R&D departments in all sectors, as well as at universities and research institutions. 

Mathematics graduates typically work in the following areas:

• Banking and lending industry
  Risk management, development and assessment of financial instruments, investment banking, market modeling
• Insurance
  Statistics and pricing, acquisition and quote generation, product development, risk management
• Public administration
  Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin),statutory pension insurance scheme, statistics offices, computer centers and planning departments
• Computer industry
  Optimization of hardware components, software development and sales, expert systems for control and optimization of processes in production/transport/logistics, security systems for data transmission, methods of data compression
• Corporate consulting
  Preparation of business decisions, corporate organization, pension plan consulting, implementation of software and computational systems
• Research centers
  Trials and clinical studies in the pharmaceutical industry, mathematical modeling and simulations to replace prototypes and expensive experiments (medicine, vehicle construction, material tests), development of complex steering instruments (aeronautics), climate modeling
• Education and academics
  Universities and technical institutions of higher education, Fraunhofer Institutes, Society for Mathematics and Data Processing

Not sure what to do after graduation? Don’t worry!

A university degree generally does not prepare you for a single profession but qualifies you for a wide range of career paths – for example, in research, in a typical profession related to your field of study, or in one of many other academic fields.

This is why career orientation is also part of your studies. Gaining practical experience is key, and you can do so through internships, working student positions, part-time jobs or voluntary work, for example.

JGU’s Career Service will support you throughout the entire process with information, advice, workshops and numerous events – from career orientation and working on your profile and skills to finding your dream job and successfully applying for it.