Mathematics Programme
180 ECTS credits
Study programme
**Mathematics is the scientific language of almost all of the natural sciences, as well as technology, economics, statistics, and computer science. Advanced mathematical methods are used in many exciting areas, and also new areas are added all the time. At the same time, mathematics is also a science and a subject of research in its own right, independent of other subjects.**
Within the programme, you can choose to concentrate most of your studies to mathematics or include also other subjects.
Within the programme, you can choose to concentrate most of your studies to mathematics or include also other subjects.
Education level:
Basic level
Prerequisites
General admission requirements + Mathematics 4/Mathematics E
Optional courses may have different requirements.
More about field-specific eligibility
Tuition fees
- Total fee: 450,000 SEK
- Per semester / First payment: 75,000 SEK
You do not have to pay tuition fees if you are an exchange student or a citizen of a country within the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland.
While studying
Education
The first to third semesters consist mainly of basic courses in mathematics. During the fourth to sixth semesters students can, in addition to the mandatory specialization in mathematics, choose to broaden their knowledge in mathematics or to broaden their degree programme by taking courses in other areas, such as computer science, physics, and statistics. A 15 ECTS credit degree project is to be completed during semester six. If you begin your studies in the spring semester, you will begin with a preparatory course before the study programme will start in the fall. The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at Karlstad University is characterized by close contact between teachers and students, with the possibility to get a high degree of individual help and support. The programme can also be a basis for further studies to subject teacher. The department currently employs about twenty teachers in mathematics, many of whom are active researchers. Students can therefore expect to come in direct contact with the world of research and development. The department is specialized in multiscalemethods for partial differential equations, mathematical methods for gas kinetics, functional analysis, mathematics education, and coding theory.
Form of Instruction
Instruction is in the form of lectures, exercise sessions, laboratory lessons, seminars and project works.During the first year the mandatory courses mainly contain basic algebra and calculus. The courses Writing Mathematics (even years) and Mathematics in Science and Society (odd years) are given every second year and are followed either during the first or the third semester.
During the first semester all courses are mandatory (see below). There are two optional courses during the second semester, where Discrete Mathematics and Geometry are possible choices.
The mandatory courses during the third semester contain mainly analysis, further studies on differential equations, and probability and statistics. As the optional course during semester three Optimization with Project is a possible choice.
During the fourth semester you are supposed to follow at least two of the eligible courses: Algebraic Structures, Codes and Cryptosystems (even years), Fourier Analysis (even years), Introduction to Partial Differential Equations (odd years), and Linear Algebra II (odd years).
These can be combined with for example Numerical Methods and Complex Analysis and Transforms.
The eligible courses that one can't choose during the fourth semester, can be chosen in parallel with the Degree Project during the sixth semester.
The fifth semester is suitable for exchange studies or studies in other areas.
Examination
There are no set examination periods, and generally no final exam at the end of a semester, an academic year, or a complete study programme. Examination usually takes place at the end of each course, module, or unit.Study Abroad
It is encouraged that the students spend some time within the programme at a university abroad. Karlstad University has collaboration on different levels (education and research) with a number of universities around the world. Mathematics at Karlstad University has Erasmus exchange agreements with universities in Bucarest and Sibiu in Romania, and Catania and Parma in Italy. Contacts can be mediated by the teaching staff, study counsellors, and the office of International studies at Karlstad University.Professional Contact
You will meet mathematicians from the working life during your studies. In connection with the degree project, there are also possibilities for co-operation with companies.Course of study
| Semester 1 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Foundation course in Mathematics (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Fundamental concepts and proofs in mathematics (Obligatory) | 6 |
| Calculus and Geometry (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Programming Techniques (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Writing mathematics (Obligatory) | 1.5 |
Total ECTS credits:
30
| Semester 2 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Linear Algebra (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Calculus in several variables (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Discrete Mathematics (Optional) | 7.5 |
| Geometry (Optional) | 7.5 |
Total ECTS credits:
30
| Semester 3 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Analysis (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Optimization with project (Optional) | 7.5 |
| Stochastic Methods (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Ordinary Differential Equations (Obligatory) | 6 |
| Mathematics in science and society (Obligatory) | 1.5 |
Total ECTS credits:
30
| Semester 4 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Numerical Methods (Optional) | 7.5 |
| Introduction to Partial Differential Equations (Elective) | 7.5 |
| Fourier Analysis (Elective) | 7.5 |
| Complex analysis and transforms (Optional) | 7.5 |
| Linear Algebra II (Elective) | 7.5 |
| Algebraic structures, codes and cryptosystems (Elective) | 7.5 |
Total ECTS credits:
30*
| Semester 5 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Optional course (Optional) | 30 |
Total ECTS credits:
30
| Semester 6 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Mathematics: Degree Project (Obligatory) | 15 |
| Optional course (Optional) | 15 |
Total ECTS credits:
30
*Full-time study always equals 30 ECTS credits per semester (20 weeks).
Elective course: Students are free to choose among certain alternative courses, often depending on their choice of specialisation.
Optional course: Students are free to choose any course offered at Karlstad University or at other universities. Courses listed are examples of recommended or frequently chosen courses for a specific programme.
Läsårs- och programvärderingar
Start semester Autumn 2013
Start semester Autumn 2014
Start semester Autumn 2015
Start semester Autumn 2016
Start semester Autumn 2017
Start semester Autumn 2018
Start semester Autumn 2019
Start semester Autumn 2020
Start semester Autumn 2021
Future prospects
Employment Market
Mathematicians have a wide, and rapidly growing, range of options on the job market. Possible areas in which you may work might include the development of mathematical models in the mobile phone industry, stock market, internet security, tomography, or designing computer crash test programmes. The employment market for mathematicians is good. Many mathematicians work as statisticians, at technological or IT-companies, with numerical computations, manufacturing industry, banking or insurance. Some also choose to become researchers or teachers in mathematics. The study programme in mathematics will give you in-depth knowledge and understanding of the field and the ability to analyze and solve problems professionally and systematically. These are skills and abilities that are highly valued on the job market both in the private and in the public sector, including schools and universities.Degree
Degree of Bachelor of Science, Major: MathematicsFilosofie kandidatexamen, Huvudområde: Matematik