- Do you think it is interesting and challenging to solve mathematical problems?
- Have you sometimes realised that some assignments can be solved in several ways and felt that one solution was more elegant than another?
- Do you think it is cool to comprehend the overall structure in a concise mathematical argument?
- Would you like to work with the one subject in the world where you are always sure whether an argument is right or wrong?
For more than two millenia, the study of mathematics has developed through a marriage of abstraction and application.Some mathematical theories and techniques are developed directly intended for problem solving in other areas of study, such as astronomy, physics, chemistry, statistics, computer science, economy and technology. Others however are derived from the mathematician’s interest in abstraction and in the inner structure of the field and its aesthetic values.
The expression ”the unreasonable usefulness of mathematics” exists because it has been shown, time and again, that the sometimes very abstract thought constructions mathematicians create in this manner without utility in mind, later prove to be especially useful in other subjects. One example is numbers theory which forms the basis for cryptology.
Research in Mathematics at University of Southern Denmark
In the mathematical field, research is done in a range of areas within the Department of Mathematics and Computer science:
| Geometry and topology
The primary areas of research are geometries with torsion, moment maps, harmonic maps and integrable systems. The geometry group is closely associated to the high-energy physics group at the University of Southern Denmark, and workshops and seminars and courses are often aimed at both mathematicians and physicists.
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| Operator algebra and banach spaces
The research in operator algebra theory covers both von Neumann algebras and C*-algebras. The theory of operator algebras has today many fruitful interrelations with other areas of mathematics and physics, with applications to for example knot theory, non-commutative geometry and quantum groups.
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| Discrete mathematics and graph theory
The research is done in close collaboration with Computer Science. Areas covered are for example graph colouring theory, extremal graph theory, directed graphs, network flows, scheduling problems, algorithms and complexity theory.
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Mathematics with a research profile
In the master’s programme in Mathematics with a research profile, you get the opportunity to immerse yourself in current issues and complete your own research projects. The programme will provide you with a good basis for handling complex problems which are relevant in many different careers.
Graduates who have completed this master programme are entitled to use the title of Master of Science (MSc) in Mathematics.
More information on the Danish education system
A complete study environment
As a student at University of Southern Denmark, you become part of a study environment we call Living Science. Your day will be characterised by great academic value and you can look forward to meeting your fellow students as well as researchers from a wide variety of fields. But a university programme is much more than courses, classes and lectures. Good friends, a solid network and a living study environment are all part of creating a connection between the academic and social spheres.