The 2nd cycle degree course in mathematics is the natural continuation of the 1st cycle course. It provides educational activities completing and improving the acquired mathematical knowledge. At the same time, the degree course is designed in order to enable students coming from similar 1st cycle degree and wishing to develop their studies with a strong mathematical emphasis. The Course aims at the training of graduates with advanced knowledge of the scientific method and solid theoretical, methodological and application groundings in the fundamental areas of mathematics. The course also develops analysis and synthesis skills, the ability to translate interdisciplinary problems into mathematical language and to identify solutions to complex problems. The course may provide different curricula, depending on the cultural interests of individual students and/or professional opportunities. For example, knowledge in one or more areas of pure mathematics might be privileged, also in view of further investigation, such as a PhD, or applications of mathematics, or in-depth knowledge of the fundamentals of mathematics and teaching methodologies. In any case, the in-depth cultural and methodological training allows graduates to fit in not strictly scientific professional areas, in which planning and managerial skills are required. The preferred educational tools are lectures, practical sessions and seminars supplementary to the courses. Exercises can be proposed to be carried out in an autonomous way, through which students are encouraged to explore the limits of their abilities. Students can receive handouts of the lectures (also available online) or have one or more reference texts. Evaluation is carried out through written and/or oral examinations. The final exam consists of a degree dissertation, consistent with the educational programme, in which the candidate, under the guidance of a supervisor, must demonstrate independence and originality.
