Minor subjects for the MSc Mathematics

This page contains only information on the minor subjects for the MSc Mathematics. For information on the other (German-language) degree programmes of our Faculty, please have a look at the German version of this page!

The minor subjects are not declared during the process of application and enrolment, but are chosen during the studies.

A maximum of two minor subjects may be chosen (see examination regulations). This applies regardless of any place restrictions.

Minor subjects without place restrictions

The following minor subjects have no place restrictions:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Computer Science
  • Logic (only if not chosen as the specialisation module)

These can always be chosen, but are subject to prior knowledge or formal completion of the corresponding minor subject with a minimum number of credits in the Bachelor's degree, as specified in the cooperation agreements with the other departments and/or the examination regulations.

Please note that some of the minor subjects (Biology, Physics, Computer Science) are taught only in German or mostly in German. There is no guarantee that you will be able to finish a minor subject completely in English.

Minor subjects with limited places

Due to the cooperation agreements with the departments offering these subjects, the following minor subjects have a limited number of places, which means that enrolment in the major subject does not guarantee a place in the desired minor subject (even at a later stage of the programme):

  • Business Administration
    (Although there are no restrictions on places for the Focus "Entrepreneurship" of the Business Administration minor in the MSc Mathematics programme, for technical reasons you must still register with us in good time using the application form of the Student Coordination/Academic Student Advisory Service.)
  • Economics
  • Philosophy
  • Psychology

For these minor subjects, a one-time application to the academic student advisory service is required at the beginning of your studies. This must be submitted no later than the day before the last working day before the start of the lecture period in the semester in which you wish to start with the minor subject. You may also specify several minor subjects with priorities. The results of any allocation that may take place will be communicated to you on the last working day before the star of the lecture period.

For the MSc Mathematics, it is necessary to reapply for the minor subject, as the number of places here differs from those in the BSc Mathematik and not all students who have completed the BSc Mathematik wish to continue with the MSc Mathematics in Münster or to continue their bachelor's minor subject in MSc Mathematics, but students from outside Münster also come to Münster to study the MSc Mathematics.

For the MSc Mathematics, prior knowledge or formal completion of the corresponding minor subject with a minimum number of credits in the Bachelor's degree, as specified in the cooperation agreements with the other departments and/or the examination regulations, is required.

Further information and the link to the application page can be found here on the (German language) page:

Please note that some of the minor subjects (Philosophy, Psychology and – up to now – also some parts of Business Administration and Economics) are taught only in German or mostly in German. There is no guarantee that you will be able to finish a minor subject completely in English.

Prerequisites for choosing minor subjects in the MSc Mathematics programme

Minor subjects without place restrictions

  • Biology: The minor subject Biology is aimed at students who have successfully completed the minor subject Biology in the BSc Mathematik programme.
  • Chemistry: The minor subject Chemistry has been successfully completed in the BSc Mathematik programme (at least 30 CP).
  • Physics: No formal prerequisites, but knowledge of Physics I, II and III is required, none of which are part of the minor subject Physics in the MSc Mathematics programme.
  • Computer Science: No formal prerequisites, but certain knowledge of Computer Science I and II is required, neither of which are part of the minor subject Computer Science in the MSc Mathematics programme.
  • Logic: No formal prerequisites, but the module is identical to the specialisation module Logic, which requires prior knowledge of logic.
  • Business Administration – Focus Entrepreneurship: No formal prerequisites.

Minor subjects with limited places

  • Business Administration – Focus Accounting, Finance, Management, or Marketing: The minor subject Business Administration was successfully completed in the BSc Mathematik programme (or an application was submitted to the Examination Board for Business Administration and Economics and approved by it, allowing Business Administration to be studied as a minor subject in the MSc Mathematics programme in individual cases – we at the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science do not have any information on the chances of success of such applications). 
  • Economics: No formal prerequisites.
  • Philosophy: There are two variants of the minor subject:
    a) for students with no prior knowledge of philosophy
    b) for students with prior knowledge of philosophy, e.g. acquired in the minor subject Philosophy in the BSc Mathematik programme
  • Psychology: The minor subject Psychology was successfully completed in the BSc Mathematik programme.