This is a list of frequently asked questions with its answers. They are roughly sorted chronologically related to the course of the study.
- Before the studies and at the beginning of them
- Do I have to apply for the studies?
- Are there courses that prepare me for the studies?
- What is the "O-Phase"?
- Is it difficult to study mathematics?
- What are lectures/exercises/tutorials?
- What are key competencies?
- What is the optional section of the Bachelor's programme with two subjects and the teaching profession track?
- How does my time table look in the first semester?
- When do I have to attend the compulsory advisory?
- Approximately from the second semester on
- When should I schedule a stay abroad?
- How will credits from my exchange studies be recognized?
- Approximately from the fourth semester on
- How do I find an advisor for my Bachelor's thesis?
- How do I register my Bachelor's thesis?
- Approximately from the fifth semester on
- How do I submit my thesis?
- How is the final grade of the Bachelor calculated?
- How does the deletion of a grade work in the Bachelor's programme with two subjects?
- Do I get a university place for the Master's programme?
- Which Bachelor grade do I need to be admitted to the Master of Education with the subject mathematics (M.Ed.)?
- During the Master's programme
- What are mathematical proseminars or seminars? How do I find …?
And here are the answers:
Do I have to apply for the studies?
The subject mathematics in the Bachelor's programme with two subjects is admission-free (without NC), so you can enroll directly. If the desired second subject for the Bachelor's programme with two subjects is admission-restricted (with NC), you have to apply for it.
A more detailed answer to that question can be found at enrollment or application for freshmen.
If you are a university or subject switcher and want to switch to mathematics, you can find suitable information here.
Are there courses that prepare me for the studies?
Each year in September there is a course at Göttingen university that prepares (not only) prospective students of mathematics for the introduction to mathematics at university level. This course is called "Propädeutikum" (propaedeutics course) and the participation at this course is highly recommended. You can register online at mathematical propaedeutics.
What is the "O-Phase"?
During the orientation phase, the so-called "O-Phase", the student representatives introduce you to the mathematics programme, the city of Göttingen and Göttingen University. Another important function of the orientation phase is that you get to know your prospective fellow students. More information can be found here.
Is it difficult to study mathematics?
Every student has to answer that question for him- or herself. What can be said in general is that for most of the freshmen the change from school to university life is not easy.
Nonetheless, especially together you can do it. From the beginning on, you should choose a small group of fellow students with which you talk and argue about mathematics and pose many questions to one another. It can be said from experience that you especially need these requirements to study mathematics successfully.
- You enjoy to think about mathematical/logical problems
- Power of endurance
- Frustration tolerance
I found this gem on the subject of frustration tolerance:
„ Eine Mathematikvorlesung ist wie eine Nachtwanderung im Gewitter. Die meiste Zeit fühlt man sich verloren, nass und erbärmlich, aber in seltenen Momenten gibt es einen Blitz und der erleuchtet die gesamte Szenerie.“ (Tom W. Körner) übersetzt von G. M. Ziegler
What are lectures/exercises/tutorials?
Lectures are courses in which normally especially the instructors speak. Here, the material that has to be learned will be written on the (electronic) blackboard or presented with slides. Of course questions are allowed and welcome.
Exercise sessions mainly focus on the (solving of the) exercise sheets that have to be solved within the scope of the lectures. Normally, students present their solutions here. If necessary, lecture material can be discussed and/or deepened together with the exercise instructor ... and it is always helpful to pose questions about the material.
In the first and second semester the so-called "Tutorien" (tutorials) are voluntary (no compulsory attendance!) additional offers that should facilitate the introduction to university mathematics, as professors, their assistants and the exercise instructors regularly take time to answer questions to the lectures and exercises. Additionally, skills about subject-related discussion about mathematics and team work in mathematics is trained.
What are key competencies?
Normally, with the term key competencies skills are identified that exceed the pure subject-related competencies and help to develop posed requirements. Typical examples are method competencies like "How do I prepare a presentation?" or "How do I learn efficiently?" as well as social competencies like "How do I instruct a group?" or "How can I solve conflicts?".
Students of teaching profession can acquire key competencies covering a total of at most 10 credits in the so-called optional area.
At Göttingen University there are five different categories of key competencies. More details and a list of university-wide key competencies can be found here.
What is the optional section of the Bachelor's programme with two subjects and the teaching profession track?
The optional track is part of the so-called professionalisation section in each track of the Bachelor's programme with two subjects - it covers 10 credits in the Bachelor's progamme with two subjects. The professionalisation section is a part of the teaching profession studies that is not purely subject-related. In the teaching profession track, the pedagogics and partially the technical didactics courses are part of this and the so-called optional section. Here, students of the teaching profession can choose if they want to acquire additional modules of one of their subjects or if they want to acquire key competencies and put these modules in the optional section.
How does my time table look in the first semester?
In the first semester of the two-subject Bachelor's program in Mathematics, the following courses are usually scheduled:
Times, locations, and instructors can be found on eCampus. Please select the appropriate winter semester to view the information. Details about the assignment of exercise groups will be provided during the first lecture. In the first two semesters, students usually spend more time working on weekly problem sheets than attending lectures. Actively practicing and reflecting on the material is essential for truly understanding mathematics – which is why the degree program is structured accordingly.
When do I have to attend the compulsory advisory?
Before you register for the third examination attempt, in some cases a compulsory advisory is necessary. Details can be found here.
When should I schedule a stay abroad?
In the Bachelor's program, you should not plan a stay abroad before the third semester, and not necessarily during the final (sixth) semester either. In general, it is important to start planning the stay well in advance – at least one year before the intended period abroad. For example, if you are planning an ERASMUS stay in the third or fourth semester, you must apply no later than January of your first semester. Further information is available here. You can also schedule an appointment with the study advisor for individual guidance on studying abroad.
How will credits from my exchange studies be recognized?
All courses successfully completed at the exchange-university will be recognised as so-called "freie Anerkennung" in the respective study group ("Fachgruppe") with the number of credits as given by the exchange-university. Grade conversion will be made via the "Bayerische Formel”."
How do I find an advisor for my Bachelor's thesis?
Students usually look for a supervisor for their thesis themselves by contacting the professors personally to find out whether they still have supervisory capacities and topics available. The professors are also happy to be contacted for the assignment of theses by e-mail. Detailed information on this topic can be found here.
How do I register my Bachelor's thesis?
After the advisor situation is clarified, you have to fill out the following form together with the advisor and hand it in in the examination office.
There are no formal requirements for the thesis; the only important thing is that you provide and sign a declaration of independent work. A template for the format of a Bachelor’s thesis, which some students have already used, can be found here. The following draft can be used for the declaration of independent work if needed: this.
How do I submit my thesis?
The Bachelor's thesis must be submitted on time and in written form in two copies to the responsible examination office. In addition, the thesis must be submitted in the format of a commonly used word processing program or as an unprotected PDF file. Submission is generally done via upload to the examination management system. The student must also confirm that the printed version and the uploaded version are identical. Upon submission, the student must declare that they have written the thesis independently and have used no sources or aids other than those indicated.
How is the final grade of the Bachelor calculated?
When calculating the final degree, the weighted mean of the corresponding credits of the following examination modules is calculated:
a) the Bachelor's thesis
b) all completed and graded module examinations.
Upon request of the students, module examinations in the range of at most 18 credits do not have to be part of the final grade, in this case the corresponding modules appear on the Bachelor's certificate without a grade.
How does the deletion of a grade work in the Bachelor's programme with two subjects?
By request of the students, modules of mathematics of the Bachelor's programme with two subjects in the range of at most 18 credits are not considered when calculating the final degree; in this case the corresponding modules appear on the Bachelor's certificate without grade.
If the Bachelor's thesis is written in the subject of mathematics, the deletion of grades can be directly applied for when compiling the certificate, because it is compiled at the math.-sci. examination office. The certification compilation form can be found
If the Bachelor's thesis is not written in mathematics, the certificate will be compiled in the examination office of the respective subject where the Bachelor's thesis is written. In this case, you first have to tell the math.-sci. examination office which grades should be deleted. This can be requested informally from the examination office under specification of your matriculation number and the modules that should be deleted. The contact details can be found here. When the application is processed, your certificate can be compiled at the corresponding other examination office.
Do I get a university place for the Master's programme?
Because it is not possible to foresee the future, this question can not be answered terminally. Experience from the last years has shown that the applicants that fulfil the formal admission criteria also get a place in the Master's programme.
Which Bachelor grade do I need to be admitted to the Master of Education with the subject mathematics (M.Ed.)?
The regulation of a certain Bachelor grade is suspended and is not used for the admission anymore. That means that the grade of the Bachelor's programme with two subjects is irrelevant for the admission for the Master of Education.
What are mathematical proseminars or seminars? How do I find …?
Mathematical (pro-)seminars are courses in which students work independently on a mathematical topic based on (usually preassigned) literature and present it to their fellow seminar participants in a talk. During the preparation of the presentation, instructors or teaching assistants are available to answer questions and provide guidance on structuring the talk. Active participation is highly encouraged in (pro-)seminars – this includes asking questions and engaging in discussions about the topic and any issues that arise. The difference between proseminars and seminars lies in the required prior knowledge. Proseminars are generally suitable from the 2nd or 3rd semester onwards, whereas seminars may require knowledge from the 3rd or 4th semester. Introductory meetings for (pro-)seminars, including topic assignments, usually take place no later than the first week of lectures. It is common for (pro-)seminars for the upcoming semester to be announced toward the end of the current one – especially when students express interest in a (pro-)seminar that builds on a current lecture. In such cases, the introductory meeting may already be held during the current semester for the following one. Therefore, we encourage you to speak to instructors early if a topic interests you. This is particularly important because (pro-)seminars often have a limited number of spots. In addition, seminars are announced alongside other courses on eCampus or Stud.IP and, in some cases, through notices posted in the hallways or on instructors’ office doors. Keep your eyes and ears open: every semester, there is at least one seminar specifically designed for teacher education students. However, teacher education students are also welcome to participate in any other proseminar or seminar offered for the Bachelor's or Master's program in Mathematics.