Mathematics and Finance - master

Programme description

The master's program contains mainly specialized courses in direction finance, including three advanced courses at Handelshøgskolen, BFE. These are BED-3042 Intermediate Finance, BED-3043 Advanced Finance and SOK-3006 Microeconomics. In mathematics, the course MAT-2202 Optimization Models focuses at modeling of problems in economics and finance, while the course MAT-3212 Stochastic Differential Equations treats advanced stochastic modeling of financial time series. Apart from this one gives a course in theoretical statistics (STA-2002) and a course in mathematics dealing with linear partial differential equations (MAT-3200), including Fokker-Plank (Black-Scholes) equations and their applications in finance. The last part of the master study is a half a year's work with a master's thesis. Here the students improve their competence through work with research or development projects involving usage of mathematics and statistics within issues from economic or political science. In the third semester the master's thesis is prepared, either through a project thesis (MAT-3230) of size 10 ECTS at Department of mathematics and statistics, or through a correspondingly advanced course at Handelshøgskolen, i.e. SOK-3050 Advanced topics in economics.

Programme structure

Learning outcomes

For each programme at the University of Tromsø there are set targets for knowledge, skills and competences that a student should have reached by the end of studies.

On completion of the program, graduates will have the following attributes:

Knowledge

• has solid knowledge within advanced themes in mathematics and statistics, including
• partial differential equations, stochastic differential equations, theory for numerical calculations and inference methods in statistics.
• has advanced competence in international finance, including theory for portfolios, pricing of derivates, CAMP- and index models, credit risk, efficient markets and hedge funds.
• har advanced knowledge within stochastic modeling of financial time series, volatility prediction, and analysis of market risk.
• has good knowledge about optimation models and their applications in economics and finance.
  

Skills

• can formulate and analyze advanced stochastic models for financial time series
• can utilize stochastic models for risk quantification and prediction of risks.
• has good programming skills and can contribute to development of software solutions.
• can analyze advanced financial models, among others models for pricing of derivates and dealing of risks.
• can handle tasks that require a lot of data and computation.
  

 General Competence

• can use specialized tools and models from mathematics and statistics to analyze problems and issues within economy and finance.
• can contribute to research and development within mathematics and finance.
• can utilize knowledge within mathematics and finance on other problems and issues within natural as well as political/humanistic sciences.
• can do research work on his/her own, and communicate the results within the framework
• and terminology of the field
• can make knowledge based considerations on general issues within the field and communicate these to the rest of the society.

Admission requirements

Admission to the programme in Mathematics and Finance - master requires a Bachelor`s degree (180 ECTS) in Mathematics and Finance or equivalent qualification. The education must contain a specialization i mathematics and statistics corresponding to at least 80 ECTS. In addition, exams in basic issues within economics are required. More information on admission requirements:

• General admission requirements - Master

Applicants from Norway or Nordic countries:

• The application deadline for Norwegian and other Nordic applicants is April 15th for admission to the autumn semester.

Applicants from outside the Nordic countries:

• The application deadline for self-financing and quota scheme applicants is December 1st for admission to the autumn semester.
• Online application, study code

Teaching and assessment

The courses in the programme are evaluated in different ways; written exam, oral exam, or written home assignment. The details of the way the courses are evaluated are contained in the course descriptions.

Language of instruction

The language of instruction and syllabus material is in English. Examination questions will be given in English, but may be answered either in English or a Scandinavian language.

The Master's Thesis may also be written either in English or a Scandinavian language.

Exchange possibilities

After an agreement with the Department, a period of study abroad can be arranged.

Job prospectives

The Master's of Science in Mathematics and Finance degree provides a solid foundation in mathematics and finance and its applications. It provides an appropriate qualification for careers in finance, industry, technology, and information technology. The degree also provides the mathematical knowledge necessary for teaching in secondary schools and further studies in mathematics.

Access to further studies

On sucessfull completion of the degree program, studentes may be qualified for admission to a PhD-program in Mathematics at the University of Tromsø or elsewhere.

Study plan

Master's Degree programme in Mathematics and Finance