Mathematics and Science Communication and Society

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: Dutch and English
Location: Leiden
Croho/isat code: 66980
Share |

The Science Communication and Society specialisation offers you the opportunity to combine previous research training with programmes in different aspects of science communication, such as journalism, new media, museology and information visualisation.

Students enrolling in this master’s specialisation have an excellent opportunity to broaden their interests outside their own specialist field, and during an internship are able to try out the opportunities offered by a career as a science communicator or a scientific journalist. The experiences and insights gained in this specialisation will also be of benefit to those who intend to continue in an academic environment. The ability to communicate about science is an essential skill that all scientists should have mastered!

As for the mathematics component of this specialisation, there are possibilities to choose for a more analysis oriented programme, and for a more geometry/number theory oriented programme. Analysis courses focus on topics such as dynamical systems, differential equations, representation theory, percolation, pattern recognition and stochastic dynamics. Geometry/number theory courses focus on topics such as algebraic number theory, algebraic geometry, algebraic topology, cryptology and coding theory. There are no obligatory courses, and a tailor-made programme according to your wishes can be designed in consultation with the study advisor.

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.”