The Mathematics Curriculum

Main Features

Study Handbooks

Informal Description

Students may focus on pure or applied mathematics in their second year of study, or pursue both. It is also possible to select a minor subject which will become an official part of the degree transcript. This leads to a large set of degree options tailored toward individual strengths and interests, e.g. Many more major/minor combinations are possible.

The structure of the curriculum is represented in the following diagram. It represents a typical selection of modules and possible choices. Jacobs University offers individual advising and provides a number of options which deviate from the general scheme, including the fast-tracking of students with exceptional talents, tailored study options for students with prior university experience, or additional minor subjects addressing special interests and talents.



Note: The structure graphics is a simplified version of the Mathematics curriculum. It is designed to convey the essence of the program structure, but cannot show every detail or study option. Exact module and course names are subject to change.

The Study Plan

Year 1

The first year is providing a sound foundation in Mathematics. At the same time it allows to venture into two other subject areas, at least one of which should be Physics or Computer Science as these programs provide additional exposure to mathematics in action.

At least one module is completely free to choose. Thus, it is possible to study close to Mathematics by selecting Physics and Computer Science, or venture into areas of independent interest such as Social Sciences, Business, Economics, Psychology, or Chemistry.

As part of the university-wide methods and skills education, students are strongly encouraged to learn or improve their German if German is not their mother tongue, or learn a third language if they are already fluent in German.

Year 2

The second year continues the mathematics core education with one module common to all mathematics students supplemented by additional courses from the university-wide methods and skills lineup. In addition, students select among a pure and an applied mathematics module, and one module continuing one of the first year choices outside of mathematics. This leads to the following possibilities:

Year 3

In the fifth semester, students may opt to study abroad, or do a semester-long internship in a company or in a research lab. Students who stay on campus will take specialization courses and become involved in one-one research with a faculty member or junior academic staff.

The sixth semester offers further specialization options, and all students work on their Bachelor thesis project. Students with a minor subject should take at least one specialization course in their chosen minor.

Over the course of study, Jacobs University requires all students to take one module worth of credits in the fields of Business, Technology, and Society. The respective courses will broaden the horizon beyond the immediate subject area of the chosen major, and will provide valuable practical skills and concepts that contribute to success in any one's professional or academic career.

Modules and Courses

Year 1 - Fundamental Mathematics

Year 2 - Core Mathematics

Year 2 - Pure Mathematics

  • Calculus on Manifolds: Manifolds and differential forms (5 ECTS)
  • Introduction to Complex Analysis (5 ECTS)
  • Introduction to Algebra (5 ECTS)

Year 2 - Applied Mathematics

  • Applied Dynamical Systems + Lab: Nonlinear dynamical systems with applications (5+2.5 ECTS)
  • Stochastic Methods + Lab: stochastic modeling with applications to finance (5+2.5 ECTS)

Year 3 - Specialization Courses

  • Algebra and Geometry
  • Manifolds and Topology
  • Number Theory
  • Discrete Structures and Optimization
  • Stochastic Processes and Finance
  • Functional Analysis and Elliptic Operators
  • Numerical Analysis and Scientific Computing
  • Mathematical Modeling with PDEs
  • Differential Equations and Dynamical Systems
  • Topics in Mathematics (topics of current interest)