- Do you enjoy mathematical analysis?
- Do you want to learn more about algebra or probability?
- Do you want to learn more about basic research in mathematics and the application of mathematics?
- Do you intend to pursue a PhD in mathematics or a related subject?
- Do you want to take on an extensive research project?
The MS in mathematics is a research-based individualised programme of study. Students work closely with their instructors. The programme can be tailored to suit a student's interests by choosing elective courses that are relevant to the thesis research project.
Students learn about basic research in mathematics and applied mathematics. The programme is centred around an extensive thesis research project.
Programme structure
The programme is 120 ECTS and is organised as two years of full-time study.
The programme is made up of:
- Elective courses, 60 ECTS
- Master's thesis, 60 ECTS
Students can choose elective courses from four main fields:
Organisation of teaching
The programme is taught in Icelandic or English. Textbooks are in English or Nordic languages and lecture slides are in Icelandic.
Main objectives
The programme aims to ensure that students acquire knowledge and understanding of their chosen specialisation and the skills required to complete complex projects.
The programme aims to prepare students for a range of careers as well as doctoral studies in mathematics, statistics or related subjects.
Other
Completing a Master's degree in mathematics allows you to apply for doctoral studies.
- A BS degree or equivalent in mathematics, applied mathematics or a related field with minimum average grade of 6.5. In addition to the BS degree there may be some preliminary course requirements before starting the actual MS programme.
- All international applicants, whose native language is not English, are required to provide results of the TOEFL (79) or IELTS (6.5) tests as evidence of English proficiency.
- Applicants are asked to submit a letter of motivation, 1 page, where they should state the reasons they want to pursue graduate work, their academic goals and a suggestion or outline for a final paper.
- Letters of recommendation (2) should be submitted. These should be from faculty members or others who are familiar with your academic work and qualified to evaluate your potential for graduate study. Please ask your referees to send their letters of recommendation directly to the University of Iceland electronically by e-mail (PDF file as attachment) to transcript@hi.is
120 ECTS credits have to be completed for the qualification, organized as a two-year programme. The MS thesis is 60 ECTS credits and courses are 60 credits.
- CV
- Statement of purpose
- Reference 1, Name and email
- Reference 2, Name and email
- Supervisor/supervising teacher at the University of Iceland
- Certified copies of diplomas and transcripts
- Proof of English proficiency
Further information on supporting documents can be found here
Programme structure
Check below to see how the programme is structured.
- Year unspecified
- Fall
- Not taught this semesterFunctional Analysis
- Not taught this semesterCombinatorics
- Mathematical Colloquium
- Final project
- Not taught this semesterGeometry and differential equations
- Thesis skills: project management, writing skills and presentation
- Spring 1
- Differential Geometry
- Linear algebra II
- Galois theory
- Mathematical Colloquium
- Final project
Functional Analysis (STÆ507M)
Banach spaces and Hilbert spaces and their main properties. Duals of Banach spaces. Convolutions. The Fourier transform on LBanach spaces and Hilbert spaces and their main properties. Duals of Banach spaces. Convolutions. The Fourier transform on L 1(R). The Plancherel theorem. Equicontinuity, the Arzelà-Ascoli theorem. The Stone-Weierstrass approximation theorem. Linear operators on Hilbert spaces, in particular compact operators. The spectral theorem. The Hahn-Banach theorem. The Baire category theorem. The uniform boundedness theorem, the open mapping theorem and the closed graph theorem.
Combinatorics (STÆ533M)
This course is aimed at second and third year undergraduate mathematics students. The purpose is to introduce the student to several combinatorial structures, methods of their enumeration and useful properties. Particular emphasis will be placed on the systematic use of generating functions in enumeration.
Mathematical Colloquium (STÆ001M)
Current research in mathematics.
Final project (STÆ441L)
Geometry and differential equations (STÆ534M)
This course is an introduction to Lie group methods in differential equations. Lie groups, Lie algebras, symmetry groups of differential equations, symmetry groups and conservation laws (calculus of variations, variational symmetries, conservation laws, Noether’s theorem).
Thesis skills: project management, writing skills and presentation (VON001F)
Introduction to the scientific method. Ethics of science and within the university community.
The role of the student, advisors and external examiner. Effective and honest communications.
Conducting a literature review, using bibliographic databases and reference handling. Thesis structure, formulating research questions, writing and argumentation. How scientific writing differs from general purpose writing. Writing a MS study plan and proposal. Practical skills for presenting tables and figures, layout, fonts and colors. Presentation skills. Project management for a thesis, how to divide a large project into smaller tasks, setting a work plan and following a timeline. Life after graduate school and being employable.
Differential Geometry (STÆ519M)
Differentiable manifolds, tangent space, cotangent space, differentiation over manifolds, vector fields, differential forms and exterior derivative, partition of unity, integration over manifolds, Stoke’s theorem, elements of Riemannian geometry.
Linear algebra II (STÆ401M, STÆ403M)
Modules and linear maps. Free modules and matrices. Quotient modules and short exact sequences. Dual modules. Finitely generated modules over a principal ideal domain. Linear operators on finite dimensional vector spaces.
Galois theory (STÆ401M, STÆ403M)
Selected topics in commutative algebra.
Subject matter: Fields and field extensions. Algeraic extensions, normal extensions and seperable extensions. Galois theory. Applications.
Noetherian rings. Hilbert's basis theorem and Hilbert's Nullstellensatz.
Mathematical Colloquium (STÆ002M)
Current research in mathematics.
Final project (STÆ441L)
- Fall
- Not taught this semesterSTÆ507MFunctional AnalysisRestricted elective course10Restricted elective course, conditions apply10 ECTS, creditsCourse Description
Banach spaces and Hilbert spaces and their main properties. Duals of Banach spaces. Convolutions. The Fourier transform on LBanach spaces and Hilbert spaces and their main properties. Duals of Banach spaces. Convolutions. The Fourier transform on L 1(R). The Plancherel theorem. Equicontinuity, the Arzelà-Ascoli theorem. The Stone-Weierstrass approximation theorem. Linear operators on Hilbert spaces, in particular compact operators. The spectral theorem. The Hahn-Banach theorem. The Baire category theorem. The uniform boundedness theorem, the open mapping theorem and the closed graph theorem.
Face-to-face learningThe course is taught if the specified conditions are metPrerequisitesNot taught this semesterSTÆ533MCombinatoricsElective course8Free elective course within the programme8 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThis course is aimed at second and third year undergraduate mathematics students. The purpose is to introduce the student to several combinatorial structures, methods of their enumeration and useful properties. Particular emphasis will be placed on the systematic use of generating functions in enumeration.
Face-to-face learningThe course is taught if the specified conditions are metPrerequisitesSTÆ001MMathematical ColloquiumMandatory (required) course0A mandatory (required) course for the programme0 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionCurrent research in mathematics.
PrerequisitesSTÆ441LFinal projectMandatory (required) course0A mandatory (required) course for the programme0 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionDescription missingSelf-studyPrerequisitesPart of the total project/thesis creditsNot taught this semesterSTÆ534MGeometry and differential equationsElective course10Free elective course within the programme10 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionThis course is an introduction to Lie group methods in differential equations. Lie groups, Lie algebras, symmetry groups of differential equations, symmetry groups and conservation laws (calculus of variations, variational symmetries, conservation laws, Noether’s theorem).
Distance learningPrerequisitesVON001FThesis skills: project management, writing skills and presentationElective course4Free elective course within the programme4 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionIntroduction to the scientific method. Ethics of science and within the university community.
The role of the student, advisors and external examiner. Effective and honest communications.
Conducting a literature review, using bibliographic databases and reference handling. Thesis structure, formulating research questions, writing and argumentation. How scientific writing differs from general purpose writing. Writing a MS study plan and proposal. Practical skills for presenting tables and figures, layout, fonts and colors. Presentation skills. Project management for a thesis, how to divide a large project into smaller tasks, setting a work plan and following a timeline. Life after graduate school and being employable.Face-to-face learningOnline learningPrerequisites- Spring 2
STÆ519MDifferential GeometryRestricted elective course10Restricted elective course, conditions apply10 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionDifferentiable manifolds, tangent space, cotangent space, differentiation over manifolds, vector fields, differential forms and exterior derivative, partition of unity, integration over manifolds, Stoke’s theorem, elements of Riemannian geometry.
Face-to-face learningThe course is taught if the specified conditions are metPrerequisitesSTÆ401M, STÆ403MLinear algebra IIRestricted elective course10Restricted elective course, conditions apply10 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionModules and linear maps. Free modules and matrices. Quotient modules and short exact sequences. Dual modules. Finitely generated modules over a principal ideal domain. Linear operators on finite dimensional vector spaces.
Face-to-face learningThe course is taught if the specified conditions are metPrerequisitesNot taught this semesterSTÆ401M, STÆ403MGalois theoryRestricted elective course10Restricted elective course, conditions apply10 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionSelected topics in commutative algebra.
Subject matter: Fields and field extensions. Algeraic extensions, normal extensions and seperable extensions. Galois theory. Applications.
Noetherian rings. Hilbert's basis theorem and Hilbert's Nullstellensatz.Face-to-face learningThe course is taught if the specified conditions are metPrerequisitesSTÆ002MMathematical ColloquiumMandatory (required) course0A mandatory (required) course for the programme0 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionCurrent research in mathematics.
PrerequisitesSTÆ441LFinal projectMandatory (required) course0A mandatory (required) course for the programme0 ECTS, creditsCourse DescriptionDescription missingSelf-studyPrerequisitesPart of the total project/thesis credits