Question: What academic background should a person interested in studying this Master have?
Answer: To access the usual level (M2), applicants should have completed a large number of semesters of courses with mathematical content, both practical and abstract and at a high theoretical level, distributed among the 5 areas of Mathematics considered official in Spain (Algebra, Analysis, Applied Mathematics, Geometry & Topology, and Statistics). It is recommended to consult the page of undergraduate studies in Mathematics and the contents available there of the elective subjects of third and fourth year to consult the expected level. The subjects with content in, for example, pedagogy of mathematics, accounting, chemical or agricultural engineering, among other disciplines, will not contribute much to the total computation.
Q: What is the ideal profile for admission to this Master?
A: The one of a person with an undergraduate degree in Mathematics. A very suitable alternative profile is that of a theoretical physicist or most physics profile. In both cases, it is necessary to have completed a minimum of 240 credits prior to registration in order to be able to directly access the M2 level of master's degree. That is, 3-year studies do not give access to M2 level (unless they are followed by another year of studies, for example, a first year of another two-year master or similar).
Q: Are there other acceptable profiles?
A: Yes, for example: computer science, naval, aeronautical, industrial engineers or similar, as well as people holding a master's or doctorate in other exact sciences. In most of these cases, admitted candidates will first have to complete several intermediate courses, level M1.
Q: Can I access the Master's degree if I have not completed the 240 credits required or if I do not have an adequate profile?
A: No, in neither case can you directly access the usual level, M2. Therefore, in case of being admitted, you will have to first pass through the level M1 (intermediate courses of up to 60 credits).
Q: What is the M1 level?
A: The M1 level consists of one year of studies. The Academic Committee will determine in each individual case the number and the exact list of subjects to be studied by each applicant. Usually it consists of 6 to 8 courses that cover different areas and are distributed in both semesters. These are very similar to the third- or fourth-year courses leading to a Degree in Mathematics, and especially to the elective subjects in the fourth year. Efforts will be made to ensure that the study load is evenly distributed between the two semesters. Important: completing M1 courses means attending the same classes as our undergraduates and most of these are offered in Spanish only. Also note that completing M1 does not lead to obtaining any official title: it’s only our Program’s internal requirement.
Q: How long will the studies last if you study M1 level first?
A: To complete the M1 + M2 cycle, a minimum of two years is required.
Q: Is it possible to start M1 or M2 studies in the middle of the academic year to save time?
A: No. Due to the admission and enrollment processes, any of the M1 and M2 level courses start in September.
Q: If I first need to pass M1 level, how will I know which subjects I should study?
A: That depends on the academic record of the applicant and will be determined by the Master's Committee in each case individually. Therefore, it is not possible to determine the exact contents in advance. If a person is admitted in the program with the requirement to take M1 level, the official letter of acceptance will indicate which subjects corresponding to the M1 level must complete before being able to access M2 level and in which period of time they should be completed.
Q: If I have not completed a degree in Mathematics or have not studied in Spain, how can I find out if the courses I have studied are appropriate or not?
A: As a guideline, you can consult the Department of Mathematics webpage where the course syllabi are listed for each year of our undergraduate studies, especially the third- and fourth-year elective subjects, so as to compare the contents.