Applied Mathematics

Specialisation of: Mathematics
Degree: Master of Science in Mathematics
Mode of Study: Full-time
Duration: 2 years
Start date: Flexible, but preferably in September or February
Language of instruction: English
Location: Leiden
Croho/isat code: 66980
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Applied Mathematics is the research specialisation aimed at students who wish to become thoroughly acquainted with mathematics as it is applied in various aspects of the life sciences. The specialisation focuses on both computational and fundamental aspects of analysis and probability.

The Applied Mathematics specialisation offers courses dealing with such diverse topics as dynamical systems, representation theory, differential equations and pattern recognition. Much of the material is driven by applications in physics and especially the life sciences. In view of this, there are intensive collaborations with the Biology, Physics, and Life Sciences and Technology departments. The analysis component of this specialisation focuses on topics such as C *-algebras, percolation, and stochastic dynamics.

Photo mathematics

Prof. Bas Edixhoven

“I treat my students as PhD candidates.”

“Our classroom is international; at least half our students come from outside Europe with an Erasmus Mundus Scholarship. As professor of Arithmetical Geometry, I want to challenge students with tailor-made training: they can agree reading courses with me, separate from the curriculum. We talk about a particular issue in a one-to-one situation.

I treat my students as PhD candidates. Everything which we offer this last category, we also offer these students. For example, they can take part in workshops which are part of the Stieltjes Educational Weeks, organised by the Thomas Stieltjes Institute, in which Leiden University participates. This is one of the two research schools in mathematics in the Netherlands. We also work closely with the other, MRI, and we have a close co-operation with the University of Paris-Sud in Orsay. The latter is, in my field, the most prestigious mathematical institute in the world, which has produced a number of Fields Medals – the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for Mathematics. If they wish, students can study a year in Leiden, then in Orsay, or in Bordeaux or Padua, or vice versa. They are awarded a diploma from both institutes.

One of our professors is a Spinoza prize-winner; and in 2004 I was awarded a Vici grant by NWO. We are an ambitious team which also organises seminars, such as the Intercity Number Theory Seminar at which researchers present their latest findings. We want to prepare our students to participate in this seminar.”