Mathematics (Master's)
Modern technology is unthinkable without mathematics, and with a master's degree in mathematics you will acquire sought-after expertise to make informed choices about almost any aspect of modern society. It is also the most fascinating and beautiful subject to investigate in itself.
- Duration
- 2 year
- Study places
- 6
- ECTS credits
- 120
- Start of study
- Autumn and spring
- Teaching language
- Norwegian and English
What will you learn?
With a master's degree in mathematics, you will:
- Have a thorough knowledge of mathematics. You can relate general and abstract concepts and methods to real calculations and applications.
- Have extensive experience of problem solving and a knowledge of strategies for combining different methods.
- Have insight into the most important structures in the discipline and be able to explain the basic theory of these structures.
Based on the specialisation you are admitted to, which you choose after being admitted to the programme, you will delve into challenges associated with mathematical analysis, topology, algebra or algebraic geometry.
Student life
The Department of Mathematics is located in the Science Building on the University’s city centre campus. Our social environment is friendly and informal, with students and staff from around the world. We have an active student association (Matematisk Fagutvalg), which has its own social room and arranges popular science lectures, film showings, parties and game nights.
You will have your own desk in a reading room, together with the other master's students. You will work closely with an academic supervisor whose expertise is in the field of your thesis topic. You will choose a thesis topic and draw up a progress plan containing important milestones for your project. During the two years of the programme, you will take courses and write a thesis. Some of the courses are mandatory within the areas of specialisation, while the other courses are chosen by agreement with your academic.
Career
Mathematical knowledge is in demand in the job market and is not subject to changes in the job market. The master's Programme in Mathematics will qualify you for research and development, as well as employment in the many sectors where mathematical knowledge is needed. Some master's graduates continue their research training by pursuing a PhD.
Our graduates work within the fields of:
- Telecommunications and informatics
- AI
- Oil-related business
- Management, finance and insurance
- Analysing risk management
- Education
- Energy-related business
and many more businesses where good analytical skills are needed.
Admission requirements and how to apply
Students with citizenship from countries outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland must pay tuition fees. Some applicants may be exempted from this rule.
In order to apply for the Master’s Programme in Mathematics you need a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics or the like. You must hold a minimum of 80 ECTS in relevant courses such as Calculus, Linear Algebra, Algebra, Real Analysis and Functions of several Variables, and at least two of Complex Functions, Commutative Algebra, Topology and Manifolds. Your last Mathematics course should not be older than 10 years. It is important to document the content and learning outcomes of the central mathematics subjects, either with attached course descriptions or with links to websites where course descriptions can be found.
Based on your previous knowledge in Mathematics, you can qualify for one or more of our four specialisations:
Mathematical Analysis: requires a minimum of 10 ECTS in Complex Functions, Topology or Functional Analysis as part of your bachelor's degree
Topology: requires a minimum of 10 ECTS in Topology or Manifolds
Algebra: requires a minimum of 10 ECTS in Commutative Algebra, Manifolds or Algebraic Structures
Algebraic Geometry: requires a minimum of 10 ECTS in Commutative Algebra + 10 ECTS in Topology or Manifolds
Teaching language
Teaching language: Norwegian and English
Study structure
The programme consists of a course component worth 60 ECTS and a master's thesis worth 60 ECTS. You can alternatively choose a 30-ECTS thesis, which will then increase the course component to 90 ECTS.
Mandatory courses:
Mathematical Analysis: Theory of Measure and Integration (MAT215, 10 ECTS), and at least one of Complex Analysis (MAT214, 10 ECTS), Functional Analysis (MAT232, 10 ECTS) or Differential Geometry (MAT342, 10 ECTS)
Topology: Topology (MAT242, 10 ECTS), Manifolds MAT243, 10 ECTS) and Algebraic Topology MAT244, 10 ECTS)
Algebra: At least two of Commutative Algebra (MAT224, 10 ECTS), Algebraic structures for differential equations, computations and flows (MAT228, 10 ECTS), Algebraic Geometry I (MAT229, 10 ECTS) and Manifolds (MAT243, 10 ECTS) where one of these has to be either MAT224 or MAT228
Algebraic Geometry: Algebraic Geometry I (MAT229, 10 ECTS), Topology (MAT242, 10 ECTS) and Manifolds (MAT243, 10 ECTS)
Other courses are chosen by agreement with your academic supervisor. Courses must be at 200- or 300-level. By agreement with your advisor, you may take up to 10 ECTS at 100-level.
The master’s programme includes a combination of lectures, exercises and seminars. For specific requirements, visit the individual course websites.
Study abroad
You can spend your first or second semester as an exchange student at one of our partner universities.
Further studies
The study programme provides a formal basis for further doctoral studies within the field.
Questions about the study?
Study plan
A study plan is a formal document between you as a student and the University of Bergen. The study plan must provide a clear framework for the study, describe the learning goals you will achieve and how the study is structured.