Introduction to Master Mathematics

Course

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/XM_0095

Course Objective

At the end of this course the students will:
- be aware of the different research areas within mathematics and their mutual interactions;
- be aware of different job prospects with a degree in mathematics
- be able to make informed decision about their education, in particular with regard to the choice of a topic for their Master project, in a way that suits their career plans;
- have acquired appropriate reading and writing skills, and use these skills to evaluate information from various literature sources and produce scientific texts that are clear, consistent, and complete;
- be familiar with the basics of scientific research ethics and know at which stages in the preparation of their Master thesis they need to be paying particular attention to ethical issues (acknowledging other people’s work, openly sharing data and ideas…) The course also specifically aims at enhancing the social cohesion and exchange of ideas between Master students following different learning tracks.

Course Content

The course will be centred around the following core elements:
- Introduction to mathematical research areas: problems, applications, and interactions
- Academic Reading and Writing
- Scientific Ethics
- Orientation on the career market

Teaching Methods

The course will consist of meetings throughout the academic year. These meetings will be very different in nature: just to name a few examples, a meeting might consist of a scientific writing training, or it might require students to attend a research seminar and write a report about it. The exact schedule and content of the meetings will be made known in advance via Canvas. Attendance is compulsory and active participation is expected. Most of the course load is in the fall semester.

Method of Assessment

This course is assessed with a pass/fail.

Literature

will be made available online.

Target Audience

This course is obligatory for first year master students in Mathematics(all tracks).
Academic year1/09/2431/08/25
Course level6.00 EC

Language of Tuition

  • English

Study type

  • Master