Mathematics, Bachelor 1 subject

  • Why are certain mathematical statements true?
  • How can mathematical hypotheses be proved?
  • Can a mathematical statement be even further generalised?
  • How, exactly, does one define a mathematical structure (as much definition as necessary, as little definition as possible)?
  • How can natural or technological processes be modelled mathematically?
Carolin Kleinsorge

Continuous efforts and diligent learning are the only way to success in Mathematics.

Carolin Kleinsorge Bachelor's degree
Carolin Kleinsorge
Carolin Kleinsorge is a first-year student of Mathematics. She is pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree, 2-subject programme. Carolin’s other subject is English Studies.

Wieso haben Sie sich damals für Ihr Studienfach entschieden?

Mathematics has always been my strong suit, and I have always enjoyed it, too. Besides, I would like to work as a teacher, and my chances to do so after graduation are quite good with the combination Maths-English.

An welchen Stellen haben sich die Erwartungen an Ihr Studienfach erfüllt, an welchen nicht?

I hadn’t expected maths to be easy, but I didn’t know it would be quite so difficult! You’re constantly under pressure, because you’ve got assignments to finish every week, and the learning pace at uni is quite different from that in school. Anything you’d ever experienced in school – including studying for your A-levels – is nothing when compared with the Mathematics degree. But you can get used to it! In my year, moreover, the continuous pressure and the countless hours spent in the library have brought us all together and we have become a closely-knit group. Everybody supports everybody else whenever they can. After all, we’re all in the same boat (laughs).

Was macht Ihnen in Ihrem Fach am meisten Spaß?

The many hours spend together in the library are definitely very good fun – when, despite all that chattering and distractions – we are also very productive. It is also a great feeling when, after pouring over a problem for eight hours and being on the verge of despair, all of a sudden everything becomes clear. You feel like a super brain then! And because we often work in a team, you’ll get instantly rewarded by positive feedback.

Was war bisher die größte Herausforderung?

The main challenge when studying Mathematics is to lower your expectations on yourself. Sometimes, you might work very hard and pour much time and effort into an assignment and yet not find a solution. Or you’ll hand in something on which you’d worked very hard and receive no points for it. That’s really frustrating, but the only way to deal with it is, “Buck up and don’t lose your courage”. Continuous efforts and diligent learning are the only means to success in Maths. Once you understand that, you will manage just fine.

Was wollen Sie einmal damit werden?

I study maths, because I want to work as a teacher. It is unlikely that I will ever teach the subject matters that I am currently learning in my degree programme. However, I find it important for a teacher to really know his or her subject. I can tell from my own experience that students don’t respect a teacher who doesn’t understand the subject any better than they do. 

Welche Tipps geben Sie den Leuten, die auch überlegen, Ihr Fach zu studieren?

If you want to study mathematics, you must be aware that it won’t be easy. Most of the time, it will be frustrating and hard, but every time your efforts are crowned with success, you’ll feel like you’re on top of the world! You just have to get a thick skin and to learn to take it easy. Panicking is pointless, and those students who give the impression that they manage everything quite casually usually don’t get very far. It is also important not to expect to do everything on your own. Joining forces with other students in small study groups is a good idea: you will work more efficiently, as you can talk through your results with other students and learn from your mistakes (it is important, though, to grapple with your assignment yourself, because copying other people’s solutions is pointless in the long term). If you like mathematics, though, you should not be put off, because other people have successfully completed it before us – why, then, should we fail?

Steckbrief

Abschluss
Bachelor of Science
Beginn
Wintersemester
Dauer
6 Semester
Unterrichtssprache
German
Admission
Not restricted
Information on enrollment/application for German applicants

Information on enrollment/application for German applicants

Application information for international applicants

Application information for international applicants

Worum geht's?
Dieser Studiengang ist einzigartig, weil ...
it paves the way into the fascinating world of mathematics by providing a sound introduction to logical abstract reasoning and conducting proofs. Students enrolled in the B.Sc. degree programme can choose which individual branches of mathematics to specialise in as early as in the second year.
Er bietet eine Vertiefung in den Bereichen ...
  • Algebra, topology and algebraic geometry
  • Stochastics, statistics and mathematical physics
  • Differential geometry / dynamic systems
  • Complex analysis
  • Numerical mathematics
  • Cryptography
  • Theoretical / practical computer science
Zu wem passt's?
Wer diesen Studiengang studieren möchte,
have:
  • a passion for mathematics
  • stamina
  • sound mathematical knowledge acquired in school

enjoy:

  • logical reasoning
  • penetrating abstract structures
  • solving problems and puzzling over tasks in a team

struggle through:

  • learning the methods of mathematical proof
  • time-consuming and challenging basics taught in the first year
Wer einen Abschluss in diesem Studiengang hat, arbeitet häufig
  • in the insurance industry
  • in banks
  • in the IT industry
  • as corporate consultants
  • in interdisciplinary research, e.g. in the pharmaceutical industry



Und sonst?
Ein Vorbereitungskurs ... can be covered voluntarily.
Name: Prep course mathematics for future Mathematics and Physics students
Weitere Informationen zu Vorkursen
Ein Praktikum ...

is mandatory. It is done during the degree course.
Dauer: 8 weeks

Ein Auslandsaufenthalt ... is recommended. It is done in the 4th-6th semester.
Dauer: 1-2 semesters
Wer hilft?
Academic advisory office

Dr. Academic advisory office Mathematik

Building, Room: IB 1/113 & IB 3/175

Phone: +49 (0)234 / 32-14103

E-mail: Studienberatung-Mathe@rub.de

Website academic advisory office

Contact students

Fachschaft: Mathematik

Building, Room: IB 01/105

Phone: +49 (0)234 / 32-23465

E-mail: matheberatung-fachschaft@lists.rub.de

Website Fachschaft

Andere Studiengänge in diesem Fach