Official length of programme

Five-year programme, 300 ECTS credits.

Access requirements

Applicants must have completed a four-year secondary school.

Name of qualification

Master of Education in Mathematics and Physics

Programme requirements

The Integrated Undergraduate and Graduate University Programme in Mathematics and Physics Education offers the entire five-year mandatory pre-service university education of experts specialized in the teaching of mathematics and physics in lower and upper secondary education (upper classes of primary school and secondary school, i.e. ISCED levels 2 and 3, according to the ISCED 1997 classification).
The Integrated Undergraduate and Graduate University Programme in Mathematics and Physics Education offers a university education in the fields of mathematics and physics. Specifically, mathematics competencies include a fundamental knowledge and understanding of results in the main branches of mathematics, such as algebra, analysis, geometry, differential equations, discrete mathematics, probability theory, statistics and numerical mathematics. It also includes the ability to understand mathematical proofs, and thus also logical argumentation in more general situations, the capacity for the mathematical modelling of situations, and the ability to solve problems creatively by means of mathematical tools and information and ICT.
The acquired theoretical knowledge will support the knowledge and understanding of mathematical methods and techniques such that it will make possible a firmly developed mathematical context. Competencies in the field of physics primarily include the entire problematics of the classical physical areas of mechanics, electromagnetism, wave phenomena, thermodynamics, and optics; with an emphasis on the constituent parts of traditional physical disciplines with modern relativistic and quantum concepts, as well as the theory of electromagnetic radiation. In addition, students will also become acquainted with some advanced physics contents (the physics of materials and solid state, astronomy, and astrophysics), gain insight into the application of physics in other sciences and professions (biophysics, medical physics).
During the course of the undergraduate and graduate study programme, these competencies are developed by means of theoretical lectures, numerical exercises, and practical lab work. This programme also offers the didactical-methodological and pedagogical-psychological competencies necessary for the successful realization of all educational programmes in the fields of mathematics and physics at the primary- and secondary-school level. It also trains students to teach all types of mathematics and physics classes - regular, additional, elective, and remedial, as well as work with children with special needs – ranging from work with children who have developmental difficulties to work with those who are gifted in mathematics and/or physics. It is important to stress that this programme specifically educates its students to work with groups of pupils - advanced young mathematicians and physicists - in order to prepare them for mathematics and physics competitions at all levels (from local to state), and to advise pupils when they are writing term papers and secondary-school graduation papers and realizing interdisciplinary student projects and workshops.
The programme methodologically educates students in the realization of various forms of mathematics and physics instruction - including traditional frontal instruction, programmed instruction, heuristic and mentored instruction, and contemporary forms of problem and project-based mathematics instruction - as well as in the application of ICT and other media in the instruction of these subjects. In addition, students also gain general competence in working within the educational system and the school as an organization, and in all the tasks included among the obligations of teachers (being a class teacher, keeping pedagogical records, working in cooperation with parents and professional services, etc.). Finally, this programme trains students for further self-education (life-long learning) in mathematics, physics, education, and other sciences. 

Professional status

Holders of the degree of Master of Mathematics and Physics Education are qualified for employment as teachers of mathematics and/or physics in primary school and in all types of secondary school. Besides employment in education, they are also qualified for various types of intellectual employment in industry, the state administration, and the public sector that call for analytical thinking; fundamental and advanced knowledge in the field of mathematics and physics; a capacity for mathematical and physical modelling and solving different types problems; a knowledge of statistics; the ability to organize, analyse, and present all types of data (character, numerical, audio, visual, multimedia, etc.); and the application of ICT. Finally, they are also qualified for jobs in research and/or development in physics labs at scientific research and professional institutions, as well as industry.

Access to further study

After completing this university programme, students are qualified for postgraduate (doctoral) programmes in Mathematics and Physics, as well as in the postgraduate specialist programme in Actuarial mathematics,in accordance with the enrolment conditions of those programmes for the academic year in which they apply. The received knowledge and acquired skills should also qualify students for continued study in related postgraduate (doctoral or specialist) programmes at other higher education institutions. The conditions for enrolment in postgraduate programmes at other higher education institutions are determined by those institutions.