Master Computational and Applied Mathematics (CAM)

IMaster Computational and Applied Mathematics (CAM)

This degree programme is tailored to the current needs in applied mathematics and scientific computing. It is designed for students who appreciate to use rigorous mathematical analysis or scientific computing to predict phenomena or to optimize processes in the sciences or in engineering. Initially, the students acquire a firm grounding in mathematical modeling and applied analysis as well as in high performance computing. They learn to derive mathematical models and to reflect upon their properties and limitations. Starting from the second term, they are free to choose among a large variety of courses to specialize in two of the fields

  • Modeling and Applied Analysis (MApA),
  • Numerical Analysis and Simulation (NASi),
  • Optimization (Opti).

The courses are taught in English. Thus the programme addresses students from all over the world who wish to acquire not only the mathematical knowledge, but also the cultural and communication skills needed for attractive employment options on the international level both in industry and in academia.

To respect possible interests or previous knowledge beyond mathematics or in other fields of mathematics, the students may also attend a certain number of modules chosen from the entire portfolio of FAU on the master level.

Starting in the winter term 2017/18, the master programme CAM replaces the master programme Technomathematik.

Information on the contents of CAM:

To get a general overview over CAM, see

For more detailed information on the contents of CAM, see the general study plan and descriptions of modules  (not all of them are offered annually) available. For every semester there is a module handbook showing exactly those modules which will take place in that semester (see in the list of documents below).
You can also have a look at the examination regulations (in the list of documents below).

Requirements / Eligibility:

Some basic knowledge of differential equations or functional analysis and of numerical methods is recommended. The Master’s degree programme also enables students to specialise in the numerics of partial differential equations or in optimisation. Applicants should be accordingly familiar with the basic ideas of these fields.
The requirement for admission to the Master’s degree programme is a good Bachelor’s degree in a mathematical programme, or in a closely related field with a substantial content of mathematical courses (at least 45 ECTS). Qualification or aptitude for the Master’s degree programme is examined in the qualification assessment process. Applicants with a degree not in mathematics, but in a related field, can only be admitted after passing an oral exam. The criteria in this oral exam are: basic knowledge in functional analysis or in the theory of differential equations, basic knowledge in numerics or in optimization, ability for discussion on mathematics in English, e.g., on the applicant’s Bachelor’s thesis.
Since all the mandatory and mandatory elective modules are taught in English, an English certificate CEFR B2 is required, except if your university entrance qualification or the Bachelor’s degree was acquired in an anglophone programme, or if you had 6 years of English lessons at a German secondary school.

Application for CAM:

The application for CAM is now fully online (no postal submission of paper any longer, documents have to be uploaded as pdf’s instead):

Register online using the page www.campo.fau.eu
Note: Applicants who have not yet an  “IdM Account“ have to register at IdM first (also on www.campo.fau.eu). IdM stands for Identity Management of FAU.

Then, using your IdM account, you can set up your online-application for CAM. During the online application process you also have to specify a mentor. Choose a mentor from this list.

Note: You can see the status of your application online. Hence, e-mails asking for the status of application will not be answered.

Read first:  Information on the application process for Master’s programmes at FAU
and watch the video How to apply at FAU via the Campo portal.

(Note that on www.campo.fau.de, there is a button on the bottom line to switch between German and English. On www.fau.eu, it is on the top line.)

Here is a list (provided by FAU) of required documents. A letter of motivation is not required.

Application period:

  • For programme’s start in October’24: the application portal opens on February 15th and closes July 15th.
  • For programme’s start in April: the portal usually opens September 15th and closes January 15th.

 

A few frequently asked questions concerning application:

  • I have a bachelor’s degree in a technical field such as Engineering, Physics, Computer Science,… (i.e., not in Mathematics or a mathematical programme such as ‚Technomathematik‘, Economathematics) – can I get admittance to CAM? Answer: In this case your BSc must contain at least 45 ECTS credits of mathematical content, and an oral exam must be passed after the application is submitted and before admittance is possible.
    If you are not familiar with ECTS and want to find out if you fulfill this criterion: As a rule of thumb, a full BSc programme over 6 semesters usually corresponds to 180 ECTS. Hence, 45 ECTS typically correspond to one quarter of  a full 6 semester BSc programme.
    The oral exam can be remote, from a technically equipped room in your university to the e-studio in our university. Due to our corona regulations, it can now even be done via Zoom.
    In this oral exam it will be checked if you have basic knowledge in theory of differential equations or functional analysis, basic knowledge in numerics or optimization, and if you can express yourself on mathematics in English.
  • How are grades (or cgpa) transfered into the German grading system?
    In Germany 1.0 is the best grade, and 4.0 is the worst grade by which one can pass an exam. To convert your grade/cgpa into the German system you can use the formula x = 1 + 3 (Nmax–Nd)/(Nmax-Nmin) where x = your grade in the German grading system, Nmax = best possible grade in your grading system, Nmin= worst grade in your grading system by which one can pass an exam, Nd= your grade in your grading system. Or, in other words: The best possible grade is mapped to the best possible grade in the German system (=1.0), the worst passing grade is mapped to the worst passing grade in the German system (=4.0), and in between there is a linear interpolation done.
    There is a web-based calculator (external link) for conversion of grades.
    To be eligible for CAM, the German grade must be at least 3.0, i.e., between 1.0 and 3.0; any grade >3.0 is not sufficient.
  • Language certificate: English level B2 CEFR  is required to apply for CAM. What is the relation between CEFR, TOEFL, IELTS? This website gives some hints/conversions. Standard certificates that have the same quality as CEFR B2 are usually accepted  (the admission board has the final say in this matter).
    If your BSc programme was taught in English, then no English level B2 CEFR certificate is required.
    There is no German language certificate required for the application for CAM.
  • A letter of motivation is not required for the application.

After you got admission, find information about the enrolment for international students here.

Getting started…

After admission to the CAM programme and after inscription (‚Immatrikulation‘), before lectures start, you have to plan which modules to take. Im CAM, only a few modules are mandatory. Most modules you have to choose(!) from the portfolio of mandatory elective CAM modules. You can use

  • To get a list of the CAM modules (mandatory modules and mandatory elective modules) that are offered in a specific semester, use the web portal www.campo.fau.de as follows:
    You don’t need to log in on that page. Switch to ‚English‘ in the upper right corner of that page, if desired. Take a deep breath, because the way is long:
    Click on the three horizontal bars in the upper left corner (=main menu). Then select ‚Studies offered‘. Then  select ‚Search for courses‘. Then choose the desired semester. Then in the paragraph ‚Structure‘ in the field ‚Degree programme‘ type ‚computational and‘, and then a menue with some possible continuations drops down. Choose ‚MSc CAM (PO 20192)‘. Then in the bottom of the page on the left hit the button ‚Search‘.
    Now you see the mandatory modules (e.g., Modeling and analysis in continuum mechanics‘) and mandatory elective modules.
    — You may click on a lecture name or on the symbols to find the basic data, the dates, the lecturer. Then, you may also click on the lecturer’s name to get his/her email address in case you have questions about the lecture – for example, if there is some online material provided. If there is some online material for lectures it can usually be found on www.studon.fau.de (login/enrolment required) or on www.fau.tv (login/enrolment required for most of the content). Email adresses of lecturers can also be found on www.univis.fau.de (by using the search for persons on that page).
    — If you want to export the lecture list, you may click on the printer symbol (above the list) and redirect the printing into a pdf.
  • To obtain information about the modules:
    Use the pdf long-time module catalogue and general study plan (see pdf below) to find which modules are mandatory, to find the prerequisites of each module, and to get an impression which modules might be offered in subsequent semesters, in the modules‘ module descriptions. The module descriptions are also available in the new Campo system. To find the CAM module descriptions on Campo www.campo.fau, proceed as follows:
    Switch to ‚English‘ in the upper right corner of that page, if desired.  Click on the three horizontal bars in the upper left corner (=main menu). Then select ‚Studies offered‘. Then  select ‚Module descriptions‘, then hit ‚Show module descriptions‘. In the search field m you may enter ‚Computational and‘. Then you get possible continuations of your input; choose ‚MSc CAM Hauptfach PO-Version 20192‘. Then a tree opens showing the CAM modules. Scroll the list or use the browser search to find a module. Click on the magnifying-glass-symbol on the right to get the module description. Important: click on  the magnifyer-symbol in the line of the module, not in the line of the lecture!
    Note: Only modules / module descriptions that are ‚cleared‘ by the module coordinator or the programme coordinator are visible on Campo. Some modules might be under review. Those are invisible to you.
    At least for some time, we will let the pdf-version of the module catalogue with the module descriptions online.
  • the long-range planning of the department (to find which modules will (most likely) be offered in subsequent semesters, see this link, klick on ‚Master-Studium‘)
  • You may take free elective modules (15 ECTS) from arbitrary master programmes the FAU offers. How to find modules that fit to your interests? Use the Campo system. One approach could be: Make up your mind what study programme comes close to your interests (physics? data science? computer science?) From the starting page, select Studies offered, then Show university course catalogue, then choose the correct semester, then you find a tree of all the programmes FAU offeres. Choose some master programmes you are interested in and search for courses you are interested in.
    Note: You can also take mathematics modules, i.e., CAM modules, into the 15 ECTS of free elective modules.

Make up you mind and then discuss your plan with your mentor.

 

Documents:

 

Other Links:

Maybe you find the following links helpful.

Further Help:

  • Study Guide and Study Guide CAM on StudOn (log in on StudOn before you click the link):
    about studying at FAU, for all freshmen, in English, on StudOn, a service by the SSC of the teaching unit Mathematics&DataScience. Here many of your general questions about studying at FAU / studying CAM will be answered.
  • Student Advisor for CAM:
    Prof. Dr. Serge Kräutle
    kraeutle@math.fau.de
    (e.g., questions on the structure of CAM, requirements to the applicants, questions arising during studying CAM)
  • Questions about the application process, documents required for application:
    Read this information first. Then:
  • Head of the Examination Committee of the department Mathematics:
    Prof. P. Fiebig
  • Advice for issues concerning authorities responsible for aliens or issuance of documents testifying the duration of your studies in Germany (useful for authorities or loan issues): Patrik Stör (the Science faculty’s responsible for internationalization)