MATEMATICA Degree Programme Profile
Basic Information
Qualification awarded
Master Degree in MATEMATICA
Qualification Type/Level
EHEA Second cycle, EQF level 7
Number of Years/credits
2 years; 120 ECTS
Mode of Study
Full-Time/Part-Time*
*All Degree Programmes are planned and organised for full-time students. It is possible, however (without special arrangements), to proceed through the course of study at one's own pace. This makes it possible, if necessary, to accommodate employment or other non-university activities or obligations.
Name of the Course Director and other contact information
President of the Degree Course Council:
Prof. GIACOMO TOMMEI
Email giacomo.tommei@unipi.it
Department of DIPARTIMENTO DI MATEMATICA
Internationalization Coordinator (CAI):
Prof. Paola Boito
Email international@dm.unipi.it
Language of Teaching
Italian
Admission Requirements
Formal Requirements
Italian First cycle qualification (Laurea) or foreign equivalent in the same or related subject area, with possible extra work if required competences are lacking.
Possible assessment prior knowledge and competences
Assessment of competences acquired in First Cycle studies in related or un-related subject areas to determine admission by Degree Programme Council with possible assignment of extra work to be done before admission.
Required knowledge and competences support programmes
Students whose curricula show lacunae may need to take extra first cycle course units before admission.
General Information
Programme Profile
The key features of mathematics are its flexibility and its ability to provide effective responses to problems coming from other scientific subjects, along with its capacity to vigorously develop under purely internal motivations. The Laurea Magistrale (Master) Degree in MATHEMATICS is built around this idea of flexibility, offering educational opportunities suited to both the internal development needs of mathematics and to
the interaction with other branches of science. The program is explicitly aimed at attracting graduates not only in Mathematics, but also in Physics, Computer Science, Engineering, Philosophy, and more.
Through the training curricula offered, the program will forge graduates with advanced specific knowledge in one or more sectors of
pure or applied mathematics, with close connections to other fields such as physics, computing, or teaching.
Key Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Master Degree in MATHEMATICS will be able to demonstrate:
- Deep Knowledge of the foundations of algebra, analysis and geometry and of modern developments of these fields;
- Knowledge of computing tools and computing languages;
- Knowledge of classical and modern physics and celestial mechanics;
- Understanding and ability to develop original complex deductive reasoning and data modeling;
- Depending on the curriculum they have chosen, deep knowledge and ability to provide original creative contributions in either advanced theoretical mathematics or numerical and modeling
methods for natural, industrial or financial phenomena;
- Awareness of the importance of team work and leading capacity;
- Ability to communicate basic and advanced mathematics to a specialized and a general public.
Occupational Profile/s of Graduates
Graduates of the Master Degree in MATHEMATICS will belong to one of
the following professional profiles:
1) Applied mathematician, with high responsibility functions in the development and analysis of mathematical and numerical models in the
following fields: environment and meteorology; banks, insurance, and finance; publishing and scientific communication; logistics and transportation; biomedical and health.
More generally the Applied mathematician can lead a team employed in any job function involving computational techniques and data treatment,
handling and analysis.
2) Mathematical teacher and popularizer, who will have high responsibility functions in the communication of science, either in schools or publishing houses, newspapers and magazines, radio, TV, websites and more generally
in multimedia communication firms. Key features of this job include the ability to explain problems, ideas and solutions concerning advanced
topics in mathematics and related fields, both to a general and to a specialized public.
3) Mathematical researcher, who will master the techniques and ideas of modern mathematics, with the ability to provide original and creative
contributions to the solution of open problems, also through the development of new tools. The researcher will continue his/her studies
with a PhD program in mathematics or in a related field.
Access to further study
The Laurea Magistrale degree in MATHEMATICS allows the graduate to compete for entry into a Third Cycle programme/doctoral school.
Assessment methods, examination regulations, and grading
Assessment is normally by means of an oral or written examination; in some cases there are intermediate exams during the course; other elements (participation in discussion, written or oral reports, commentary of texts etc. ) are foreseen in specific course units and are described in the Course Unit Profiles.
The grading system for the course units consists of 30 possible points, plus 'lode' (cum laude) in case of excellence. Marks are given by the lecturer based on the performance as ascertained in a public examination by a board of at least two teachers. The main exam sessions are held in June/July; September; and January; students may resit exams**.
Actual grading curves differ in different degree programmes. The University of Pisa provides an ECTS Grading Table, which shows the actual distribution, of the examination and final grades among students for each degree programme, in order to facilitate the comparison with other grading systems. ---> Link to ECTS Grading Table
An overall mark is given on the occasion of the 'Final Exam', when a written research text is presented and discussed. The final overall mark is calculated based on the results of the marks obtained in the single course units and the final exam, and is based on 110 possible points, with the possible further mention of honours ("lode" or cum laude).
**The exam sessions are organised into sessions (the dates vary according to the Department and are published in the Department's academic calendar). In each session there are a certain number of 'appelli' [calls], or dates on which the examination for each course unit may be taken. The 'appelli' are fixed by the teacher. The students choose which of the appelli they wish to respond to. In most cases, it is obligatory to sign up before the specified date.
Requirements (regulations) to obtain the qualification
The final written dissertation, to which 27 ECTS are allocated, must demonstrate ability to fully understand and originally describe
the techniques, motivations and results in an advanced research topic in modern theoretical mathematics, probability and statistics, numerical analysis, mathematical physics or mathematical education.