Univerza na Primorskem Fakulteta za matematiko, naravoslovje in informacijske tehnologije
Presentation of the study
The academic study programme Mathematics is offered in Slovenian and English language.
In the 1st year and partly in the 2nd year, students are introduced to the fundamental areas of mathematics – analysis, algebra, discrete mathematics, and the basics of numerical computation – which are essential for understanding more advanced mathematical topics. At the same time, they also acquire computer science skills and foundations of probability theory. The majority of the remaining study programme consists of elective courses, where students explore various specialised areas of theoretical and applied mathematics. The elective part of the programme is also interdisciplinary, allowing students to choose courses in which natural sciences (especially biology and biochemistry) intersect with computer science and mathematics.
Students develop a “problem-solving” mindset characteristic of mathematicians and essential across all sciences and in industry. They learn to recognise connections between different mathematical theories as well as between natural and social sciences. More ambitious students are introduced to research content in specific mathematical fields already at the undergraduate level.
Programme information
Programme name: Mathematics
Type of programme: academic study programme, 1st cycle
Degree awarded: “diplomirani matematik (UN)” equiv. to B.Sc. in Mathematics
Duration: 3 years (6 semesters)
ECTS-credits: 180
Mode of study: full-time
Language of instruction: Slovene, English
Place of study: Koper
Accreditation: the programme is accredited in accordance with the Higher Education Act and is officialy recognised.
Admission to the first year of study shall be granted to applicants having:
a) passed the general matura examination (splošna matura); or
b) passed the vocational matura examination (poklicna matura) in a 4-year secondary-school programme and a final examination in the general matura subject Mathematics; if the candidate has already passed Mathematics as part of the vocational matura, they must instead pass an examination in any other general matura subject; the selected subject must not be one of the subjects already completed within the vocational matura;
c) successfully completed any four-year secondary-school programme before 1 June 1995.
In the case of enrolment limitations, applicants shall be selected in accordance with the following criteria:
a) Candidates with a general matura or a final examination will be selected based on:
- overall matura results (40%);
- overall results in the 3rd and 4th year of secondary school (20%);
- results in the subject Mathematics in the 3rd and 4th year of secondary school (40%).
b) Candidates with a vocational matura will be selected based on:
- overall vocational matura results (20 %);
- overall results in the 3rd and 4th year of secondary school (20 %);
- results in the additional matura subject examination (20%);
- results in the subject Mathematics in the 3rd and 4th year of secondary school (40%).
“Transfer between study programmes” refers to a situation in which a student enrolled in a particular study programme does not complete it (i.e. discontinues education in the enrolled programme) and directly enrols into a higher year of a new study programme, whereby both the previous and the new programme must belong to the same Bologna cycle (level). When considering the possibility of transferring to a new study programme, the comparability of the programmes and the student’s completed study requirements in the previous programme are taken into account.
A candidate may enrol in a higher year of the academic study programme in Mathematics in accordance with the transfer criteria if they are transferring from a related first-cycle study programme or a related non-Bologna undergraduate study programme (programmes adopted before 11 June 2004), provided that the following conditions are met:
- the candidate fulfils the requirements for admission to the study programme in Mathematics;
- the completion of the initial study programme which the candidate is transferring from ensures the acquisition of comparable competencies as those envisaged by the study programme in Mathematics;
- other conditions have also been met, in accordance with the Criteria for Transferring between Study Programmes (a comparable course structure, course requirements complete.
Individual applications for transfer shall be considered by the Committee for Study and Student Affairs of UP FAMNIT. Apart from comparability between both fields of study, the committee shall also consider the comparability between the study programmes, in accordance with the Criteria for Transferring between Study Programmes.
Enrolment on the basis of the Criteria for Transferring between Study Programmes is also open to candidates of a related study programme abroad who have been, in the process of recognition of their studies abroad, legally granted the right to continue their educational training in the study programme in Mathematics.
In case of enrolment restrictions, applicants shall be selected on the basis of the average grade obtained during the study programme they are transferring from.
A student may progress to the next year if they accumulate at least 42 ECTS credits from the current year and complete all requirements from the previous year.
In special cases involving individual circumstances (such as illness or extraordinary situations), a student may be allowed to progress to the next year even with a lower number of ECTS credits. In such cases, the decision on enrollment is made by the Committee for Study and Student Affairs of UP FAMNIT.
A student who has not completed all the requirements specified by the study programme for progression to the next year may, in accordance with the provisions of the Higher Education Act, repeat a year once during their studies. If a student repeats a year, they are not entitled to extended student status (absolvent year), and their student status expires at the end of the 3rd year.
By progressing or repeating a year, a student retains student status and, consequently, the rights and benefits defined by law. In accordance with the law, a student may apply for an extension of student status, but for no more than one year.
In the 2nd and 3rd years of study, students select a total of nine elective courses, of which seven are internal electives and three are external electives. The set of internal electives is defined by the study programme, while external elective courses may be chosen from outside the study programme.
Upon enrolment in the 3rd year, students choose a study field. They may choose from the following seven fields: Discrete Mathematics, Financial Mathematics, Cryptography, Computer intensive methods and applications, Statistics, General Mathematics, Theoretical Mathematics.
More information on elective courses and study fields is available in the document “Curriculum” (see above).
In the 3rd year, a student may choose to complete practical training in a work environment instead of one external elective course. The training lasts 3 weeks and is worth 6 ECTS.
The purpose of the practical training is to enable students to gain contact with the working environment and potential employers during their studies. The student carries out the placement in a real work environment under the supervision of a qualified mentor in the field of mathematics.
General competencies
- The ability to analyze, synthesize and predict solutions and consequences of factors related to the discipline of mathematics.
- Critical assessment of developments in the field of mathematics.
- Development of communication skills.
- Skills of co-operation, team work and project work.
- The ability to independently seek knowledge and to integrate it with existing knowledge.
- The ability to seek and interpret new information and to place it into the context of the discipline of mathematics.
- Autonomy in professional work.
Subject-specific competencies
- The ability to describe a given situation with the correct use of mathematical symbols and notations.
- The ability to explain their own understanding of mathematical concepts and principles.
- The ability to solve mathematical and other problems with the use of modern technology.
- The ability to use the algorithmic approach – to solve a given problem by developing an algorithm.
- The ability to perform a numerical, graphical and algebraic analysis of a given problem.
- The ability to deduce new logical conclusions from the information given.
There are numerous employment opportunities. The programme provides graduates with the knowledge required to work in various companies and professional environments, for example in computer science and informatics (IT companies and other institutions), statistics (e.g. statistical offices, insurance companies, banks), financial mathematics (insurance companies, banks, stock exchanges, brokerage firms), game theory and gambling (e.g. lotteries and sports lotteries), as well as in education. The knowledge acquired also enables graduates to pursue careers in teaching and research.
Graduates may also choose a career that is not directly related to mathematics, as logical thinking, prudence, evaluation of procedures and results, and an analytical approach to problem-solving—developed by every graduate of the Mathematics programme—are also highly valued qualities for leadership roles across many fields.