Master in Mathematics

The careers begun by those finishing a masters in mathematical sciences are very varied. Ten years after obtaining their degree, 7% pursue further study, 15% teach (either in secondary school or higher education), 36% follow a career in research (either in a university or other institution) and 42% work in a wide variety of jobs in the private sector (banks, pharamceutical industry, ...)

Whilst the demand for mathematics teachers remains high, the options open to a masters graduate in mathematics are particularly varied, including high-level positions in financial organisations, organising studies in statistics or bio-statistics, consultants in the management of networks, etc.

The careers open to graduates from the masters in mathematical sciences are extremely varied. In a survey of our graduates who received their diploma between 1997 and 2012:

• 51.4% worked in the private sector or as a civil servant (including 29.4% in finance, 10.3% in consultancy, 2.5% in pharmaceutical industry, 2% in informatics, 7.2% in a variety of other careers)

• 26% carried out research or teaching in a University (9.3% were professors or permanent researchers, 5.4% were postdoctoral researchers and 11.3% were studying for a PhD)

• 19% worked as a teacher (11.2% in secondary eduation in Belgium, 2.5% in secondary education in Luembourg and 5.4% in further education).

• Of the remaining graduates 1% were voluntarily not in employment and 2.5% were seeking work.

The need for teachers of mathematics remains extremely high, but this is more than matched by the demand for skilled mathematicians in a variety of roles in the private sector, from high positions in financial organisations, to carrying out biostatistical studies, via analysis of large networks (in say telecommunications, or in social media) mathematicians play an increasingly important role in business and industry.

Mathematics plays a fundamental role in our technologically advanced society. It is a discipline in continual evolution: new results are obtained with increasing regularity. These results answer either questions generated by internal progress in mathematics or problems raised by other disciplines (be it scientific, industrial, business related...). Mathematics has proved to be indispensible in all domains of science and technology: cryptography and codes, medical imagery, telecommunications, theory of fundamental particles, spatial research, bioengineering, meteorology, ecological modeling, economy and finance... We aim to train mathematicians ready to contribute to both the theoretical development of the subject and the solution of problems coming from diverse sources. Our masters programme develops the students' ability to reason abstractly and rigorously, but also with invention and imagination. Our graduates are capable of employing the existing powerful mathematical techniques as well as developing new ones. Via the choices made during their masters studies, our students can direct their learning towards a career in research, in the private sector or in teaching.

"Finalité approfondie"

Obligatory courses:

• Functional analysis

• Convex and discrete geometry

• Differential geometry and applications

• Initiation in research and scientific communication

• Masters thesis

Optional courses:

At least one course in three of the four following modules

• Geometry and algebra (groups and geometry, convex polytopes, combinatorial algebra)

• Analysis and partial differential equations (variational methods and PDE, wavelets and applications, introduction to homogenisation and PDE)

• Differential geometry and topology (Riemannian and symplectic geometry, Lie groups and algebras, algebraic topology)

• Applications of mathematics (graduate statistics, optimisation algorithms and applications, stochastic calculus)

The student can then choose from a long list of advanced courses in mathematics as well as a free choice from all masters programmes in mathematics, statistics, physics, computer science, biological modelling or any other cours (including outside of the ULB) provided the jury agrees.

"Finalité didactique"

Obligatory courses:

• Courses in pedagogie, internships ("stages") and teaching

• Initiation in scientific communication

• Masters thesis

Optional courses:

The programme is completed by a free choice of courses from all the masters in mathematics, statistics, physics, informatics, bio-informatics and modelization or any other course (including outside of the ULB) provided the jury approves.

The masters degree benefits enormously from the internationally reputed research teams of the Département de Mathématiques. Morevoer active collaborations with the departments of Economics, Informatics and Physics as well as the conventions with neighbouring Universities broaden the range of courses available to the student (of which some are given in Dutch or English). The programme is designed in order that the student can develop his or her interests in different mathematical disciplines, chosen from a large range on offer. We mention here the principal strengths of the department's research: algebra and combinatorics, differential geometry, analysis of PDES, mechanics and applied mathematics, probability, statistics, actuarial sciences and the teaching of mathematics.

<div> <p>Whilst comprised mainly of lecture courses, the progamme has a large component which is based on individual work of the student done over and above that which is is seen in lectures. The student who chooses an in-depth specialisation in mathematics, for example, will chose between studying as an introduction to carrying out research in mathematics or carrying out an internship in industry (both being worth 16 ECTS). The student specialising in teaching of mathematics will spend time in</div><textarea class="html_editor"><div> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">The masters degree benefits enormously from the internationally reputed research teams of the Département de Mathématiques. Morevoer active collaborations with the departments of Economics, Informatics and Physics as well as the conventions with neighbouring Universities broaden the range of courses available to the student (of which some are given in Dutch or English). The programme is designed in order that the student can develop his or her interests in different mathematical disciplines, chosen from a large range on offer. We mention here the principal strengths of the department's research: algebra and combinatorics, differential geometry, analysis of PDES, mechanics and applied mathematics, probability, statistics, actuarial sciences and the teaching of mathematics.</span></p></div><textarea class="html_editor"><div> <p>Whilst comprised mainly of lecture courses, the progamme has a large component which is based on individual work of the student done over and above that which is is seen in lectures. The student who chooses an in-depth specialisation in mathematics, for example, will chose between studying as an introduction to carrying out research in mathematics or carrying out an internship in industry (both being worth 16 ECTS). The student specialising in teaching of mathematics will spend time in</div><textarea class="html_editor"><div> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">The masters degree benefits enormously from the internationally reputed research teams of the Département de Mathématiques. Morevoer active collaborations with the departments of Economics, Informatics and Physics as well as the conventions with neighbouring Universities broaden the range of courses available to the student (of which some are given in Dutch or English). The programme is designed in order that the student can develop his or her interests in different mathematical disciplines, chosen from a large range on offer. We mention here the principal strengths of the department's research: algebra and combinatorics, differential geometry, analysis of PDES, mechanics and applied mathematics, probability, statistics, actuarial sciences and the teaching of mathematics.</span></p></div><textarea class="html_editor"><div> <p>Whilst comprised mainly of lecture courses, the progamme has a large component which is based on individual work of the student done over and above that which is is seen in lectures. The student who chooses an in-depth specialisation in mathematics, for example, will chose between studying as an introduction to carrying out research in mathematics or carrying out an internship in industry (both being worth 16 ECTS). The student specialising in teaching of mathematics will spend time in</div><textarea class="html_editor"><div> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">The masters degree benefits enormously from the internationally reputed research teams of the Département de Mathématiques. Morevoer active collaborations with the departments of Economics, Informatics and Physics as well as the conventions with neighbouring Universities broaden the range of courses available to the student (of which some are given in Dutch or English). The programme is designed in order that the student can develop his or her interests in different mathematical disciplines, chosen from a large range on offer. We mention here the principal strengths of the department's research: algebra and combinatorics, differential geometry, analysis of PDES, mechanics and applied mathematics, probability, statistics, actuarial sciences and the teaching of mathematics.</span></p></div><textarea class="html_editor"><div> <p>Whilst comprised mainly of lecture courses, the progamme has a large component which is based on individual work of the student done over and above that which is is seen in lectures. The student who chooses an in-depth specialisation in mathematics, for example, will chose between studying as an introduction to carrying out research in mathematics or carrying out an internship in industry (both being worth 16 ECTS). The student specialising in teaching of mathematics will spend time in

Whilst comprised mainly of lecture courses, the progamme has a large component which is based on individual work of the student done over and above that which is is seen in lectures. The student who chooses an in-depth specialisation in mathematics, for example, will get an introduction to carrying out research in mathematics as well as experience of scientific communication. The student specialising in teaching of mathematics will spend time in classrooms. In both specialisations, the memoire plays an important role (30 ECTS) and gives the student the opportunity to master a subject of their choice, to present a synthesis of various techniques and theories and even perhaps to make an original contribution themselves. The finishing student will be well placed to attack new problems, such as those encountered in pure research, in industry or in other applications of mathematics.