Department of Mathematics

Information for first-year students

Introductory events for first-year students

During the two weeks before the start of the lecture period in the winter term the department of mathematics offers in cooperation with the mathematics student's representation a broad introductory programme with the aim of facilitating the transition from school to university. This programme contains a preliminary course which takes up important topics from mathematics at school, which are assumed to be familiar, and opens up the possibility of getting used to the course of teaching at university. Moreover, there is an interesting supplementing programme to get to know each other and build first contacts with fellow students.

During the first lecture week the dean of academic affairs welcomes the first year students and gives information on the bachelor programmes offered by the department. Further information can be found under the following links:

Facilitating the transition from school to university

The department offers several additional courses before the start of the studies and during the first semesters which should facilitate the transition from school to university. This is supplemented by structures for individual study guidance.

  • Self-Assessment:
    The department of mathematics together with the Hector research institute of education sciences and psychology has developed a self-assessment for the Bachelor of Science Mathematik as well as for the Bachelor of Education, which we recommend our first-year students. Among others the questions on the prerequisites and the taught competences are answered. Besides, the self-assessment addresses typical misconceptions about studying mathematics.
  • Online Mathematics Bridging Course OMB+:
    First-year students in degree programmes at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences can test their knowledge of school mathematics via a sophisticated online bridge course and close any gaps. Questions are answered daily from 10am-8pm by trained tutors in an online chat. The course is available in German, English, French and Chinese.
  • Pre-course mathematics:
    For the study start in the winter term the mathematics department offers beginners of the bachelor programmes a preparation for studying which should facilitate the transition from school to university.
  • Math Hour:
    This is an event taking place twice a week offering students the possibility to work together with fellow students on their questions concerning the lectures and the exercises. The event is hosted by lecturers and students from higher semesters who are available for questions and support for the working students, especially those of the first semesters.
  • Revision courses for analysis and linear algebra:
    The revision courses are accompanying courses for the lectures and exercise classes of the main beginner courses in all mathematical study programmes in analysis and linear algebra. This offers the students an institutionalised framework to ask questions about the lectures and the exercises and receive qualified answers. Especially interesting examples are discussed which is often very helpful for understanding.
  • Mentoringprogramme:
    Every new student is assigned a student from a higher semester as a mentor to help with general questions about the course and with problems during the course.
  • Counselling Office of the Department of Mathematics:
    The counselling office is an institution of the department for study advice before and during the study. During the open consultation-hours as well as via e-mail students from higher semesters are available as advisers. They are capable of first advise concerning study programmes and the Erasmus programmes.
  • Study advisers:
    Beside the counselling office the study advisers of the department are available for the students with advice concerning study, the different study programmes, studying abroad and many more at any time. For the Bachelor and Master of Science study programmes this is the dean of academic affairs of the department, for the study programme Master of Science Mathematical Physics also Prof. Dr. Stefan Teufel is available for questions, for the teaching education the forwarding to the study programme adviser is done by the counselling office.

Central Student Advisory Office

The central student advisory office provides plenty of useful material for beginners on their web pages.

The MNF's advice guide is also highly recommended. There you will find a lot of helpful information bundled as well as links to the most important other offers of help.

Contact

If you have any further questions concerning the offer for beginners, the study programmes or studying in general contact, please do not hesitate to contact any of the following: