BSc in Applied mathematics

Applied mathematics is an interdisciplinary program focusing on solving concrete problems by means of advanced mathematical tools.

The bachelor program in Applied mathematics at SDU is offered only in Danish.

In the Applied mathematics program, you will learn to model and solve problems from the practical world using advanced mathematical methods. Aside from the basic mathematical principles, the Applied mathematics program will acquaint you with mathematical modeling, i.e. formulating complex problems in applications as mathematical problems, in order to analyze them and perform calculations digitally.

Our areas of expertise

Do you want to be a problem solver? Would you like to learn to utilize advanced mathematical tools and computers to model, analyze and solve complex problems in business or research? Then study Applied mathematics in Odense.

Applied mathematics is a broad subject arena, combining mathematics, statistics, and computer science. However, there is room for elective subjects, allowing you to specialize in a sub-field of your choice.

Work with mathematics

Applied mathematics is not a particular kind of mathematics, but a way to work with mathematics. It is impossible to say whether a mathematical subject is applied or not. Most of the mathematics considered “pure” mathematics was developed in order to solve practical problems.

A specific example of the opposite case, which still has great practical potential, is the French lawyer and government official Pierre de Fermat, who worked with mathematics solely to satisfy his own curiosity. After more than 350 years, it was recently proven that his famous equation: xn+yn=zn, where x, y, z, and n are positive, natural numbers, has no solution with n=2 (because n=2 makes 3, 4, and 5 one of an infinite number of solutions).

Fermat had no ambition for his work in numbers theory to be practically utilized. Nonetheless, his work is fundamental in the code theory (cryptology) used every time we make transactions and do banking online.

In short, you could say that an applied mathematician is often motivated by a problem outside the realm of mathematics.

Our teaching principles

We believe that the quality of our teaching is essential for educating the next generation of innovative thinkers.

Our teaching principles are based on our respect for students, on acknowledging their talent, and their wish to learn and thrive.

Discussing over lecturing

Our professors highly appreciate students asking questions, sharing thoughts, and developing their own ideas.

We encourage students to take an active role in classes as we believe that it deepens their understanding and their ability to apply learned principles.

Teaching partners with open doors

Our professors understand themselves as your teaching partners. They are interested in your understanding of the material and your academic and personal development during your studies.

If you have any questions, struggles, or new ideas, you are very welcome to just stop by your professor and talk to him or her. As we have an open-door policy, there is no need for a secretary or formality.

We see talent, not hierarchies

In Denmark, everybody is on first-name terms with everyone but the royal family. This creates closer connections between students and professors.

Instead of hierarchies, we believe in discussing ideas, content, and the latest research findings. That is why we nourish ideas, grow talent, and make ambitious students grow. Motivated students can often participate actively in research projects and publish during their Master's studies.

Research-based teaching

Our teaching is based on and closely interconnected with the latest research findings from our own and other internationally acknowledged researchers. Therefore, it is natural for us to update all offered courses regularly.

We raise good thinkers

Learning the given principles by heart is of course important. But being able to apply the principles, use them, challenge them and improve them is of an even higher value for our society and industries.

That’s why our study programs contain more professional discussions, more application sessions, and more critical thinking than others, without compromising on the high level of theoretical and abstract thinking.