TopMath – Mathematics with Integrated Doctorate Program
The Elite Graduate Program “TopMath – Mathematics with Integrated Doctorate Program“ enables notably talented students to learn independently, to work on their specific mathematical interests, and to further their abilities in a research-orientated environment from the start of their Masters’ studies. Students with excellent results start working on their PhD thesis before the end of their first master’s year, and attain their PhD in mathematics within just 4 years of doing their bachelor qualification.
| Degree | Master of Science, Dr. rer. nat. |
| Duration of study | Four semesters |
| Place of study | Munich, Augsburg |
| Admission requirements | Bachelor in the field of mathematics |
| Language of instruction | German, English |
| Head | Prof. Dr. Marco Cicalese |
| Coordinator | Agnieszka Slota Contact the coordinator |
| Further information | Website TopMath – Doctoral Program in Mathematics |
Faster acquisition of a PhD through early research
The Elite Graduate Program “TopMath – Mathematics with Integrated Doctorate Program” aims at excellent and highly motivated students of mathematics, who show the ability for independent scientific work already at an early stage of their studies.
The aim of the program is to enable students to attain a PhD qualification in mathematics within 4 years after completing their bachelor’s degree, and thereby to qualify junior scientists in high-level scientific research, preparing them for leading positions in research and economy. To achieve this, the key features of the Elite Graduate Program “TopMath – Mathematics with Integrated Doctorate Program” are an early involvement in an active research environment, as well as an individually designed study plan.
Ihren Begabungen und Interessen folgend spezialisieren sich die Studentinnen und Studenten bereits ab dem ersten Jahr ihres Studiums im Elitestudiengang „TopMath - Mathematik mit Promotion“ in einem mathematischen Teilbereich. Hierfür sind die sog. „Independent Studies“ konzipiert:
Im Umfang von insgesamt bis zu 45 Credits (Pflicht: 15 Credits) erarbeiten sich die Studierenden in intensivem Eigenstudium unter Einbeziehung aktueller Forschung und unter den Bedingungen wissenschaftlichen Arbeitens mathematische Fragestellungen zu einem ausgewählten Thema. Idealerweise machen sie sich diese im Laufe ihres Studiums immer intensiver zu eigen und differenzieren sie weiter aus.
Der Elitestudiengang „TopMath“ führt exzellente Studierende in kurzer Zeit zur Promotion und bietet dabei ein Höchstmaß an individueller Betreuung durch international renommierte Professorinnen und Professoren.
Prof. Dr. Marco Cicalese
In addition to the early specialisation, students acquire a broad mathematical education: at least 15 credits must be achieved in fields of mathematics unrelated to their own field of research. Interdisciplinary courses, for example for the development of communication, social and leadership skills round off the curriculum.
Intensive Mentoring
All students are accompanied by mentors from their fields of mathematics, who give advice in matters such as the direction and structure of their studies, guiding them throughout their scientific work. The mentors are university tutors from the departments of both TopMath universities, the Technical University of Munich and the University of Augsburg. They assist the students in planning their individual curriculum, integrate them intensively into their scientific environment and support them in networking within the whole scientific community.
