Interviews with maths students

What is the most fun thing about developing in mathematics?
– When I learn new things and manage to connect them with things I already know and see the connections between them, it feels like whole new worlds open up to me. Learning new ways to describe things I've only seen from a certain point of view is also great.

Why did you choose this programme and specialisation?
– I knew quite early on that I would study at university and choose a science programme. Towards the end of high school, I was torn between maths and engineering physics. In the end, I chose maths because I was more interested in theory, rather than applications.

Has the programme lived up to your expectations so far?
– Yes, it has. In many ways, it has even exceeded them. I would never have imagined before that there was so much to learn in maths.

What is most challenging?
– The bachelor's and master's theses have been the biggest challenges so far. It has been very instructive, but also very demanding, to study on my own.

Where do you prefer to study?
– It depends. When I've been working on assignments, it's worked very well for me to sit at the University and study with others, but now when I'm working on my master's thesis, I prefer to sit at home and study.

Do you study any other subject than mathematics in the programme?
– In my bachelor's programme I studied quite a lot of programming, which was both fun and useful. In addition, during my time at university, I have studied both philosophy and chemistry. It feels good to broaden your horizons and try different things, but I think it has been a bit difficult to find the right one among all the choices available. I'm glad I always had maths to fall back on.

What are your favourite courses so far?
– The absolute best courses I have taken have definitely been Graph Theory, Mathematical Logic and Riemannian Geometry.

Spring 2024

Why did you choose this programme and this specialisation?
– Because I want to do research in mathematics in the future. That I ended up in Uppsala is a consequence of me being limited to applying within Sweden for personal reasons and that while looking for a suitable university I got the impression that Uppsala has the biggest number of active researchers whose research interests align with mine.

Has the programme lived up to your expectations so far?
– I am overall quite satisfied and sincerely believe that there were no better options available to me. There is a decent range of courses available to me in my main areas of interest and there is a regular and very interesting research seminar in algebra, which is more than I ever would have dared to dream of in my previous department.

What are your favorite courses so far?
– The courses I have enjoyed the most thus far were a reading course in Auslander-Reiten theory and a PhD course in algebraic groups. Officially I took both of these as the course "Selected Topics in Mathematics". This is a flexible course that is remarkably useful for taking courses on topics that are not covered in any regular master's level courses.

What might a typical day look like?
– I am currently in the middle of writing my master's thesis so most of my day is centered around this. I typically work on it at home so that I can keep my cat company. Alongside my thesis work I am also taking a course so when I get stuck with something in my thesis but feel like I can still be productive I usually take a look at my coursework instead.

What are your hobbies?
– My biggest hobby is probably reading. I read everything I can get my hands on without spending too much, mainly books that I borrow from my parents or find second-hand. Other than that I mainly enjoy being outdoors. I am fortunate enough to live very near a pleasant forest in which I often take my cat for walks. When I have plenty of time to spare I also like baking and drawing.

What is most fun about studying mathematics?
– What I enjoy most is feeling that I have found something beautiful. This could be an elegant solution to a problem or a good explanation for something that I have not heard from anyone else. I also really enjoy discussing mathematics with my fellow students; they typically have plenty of interesting observations that I would never have thought of myself, while I also hope that they also learn a thing or two from me.

Interest in mathematics. I have always been interested in logical problem-solving, so when I started to encounter actual problem-solving in mathematics outside of school, I quickly realised that I had found my great passion.

Outside of the programme I work part-time as a teaching assistant at the department and represent my fellow math students in the master's programme council for mathematics.

After the programme I hope to pursue a PhD in mathematics and I would very much like to do so here in Uppsala.

Spring 2024

Why did you choose the programme, and the specialisation in mathematics at Uppsala University?
– Uppsala University and its maths department have a good ranking nationwide, and the rent is lower here than in Stockholm.

Has the programme lived up to your expectations so far?
– The teaching quality is clearly higher than in my Bachelor’s programme (at another university in Sweden), during which I also took master's level courses. On the downside, the course selection within my field of interest (analysis) is a bit limited and I miss an adequate library.

You are in the last semester of the programme, what are you doing your thesis on?
– Pseudo-differential operators, related to mathematical analysis.

What are your plans after you graduate?
– I’m planning on PhD applications, so hopefully, I continue studying as a PhD student at Uppsala University.

What is the best thing about studying at Uppsala University?
– Many enthusiastic lecturers/researchers who are knowledgeable and encouraging, more oral exams and less written exams, plus beautiful scenery during the summer.

Tell us about student life!
– For many, student life means 'party life', to me it means I’m dedicated to my studies while maintaining a good study/life balance. On paper, a full-time student studies 40 hours per week, which is more than enough for me to keep top grades. The rest of the time I spend on cooking, numerous hobbies, gym and hanging out with friends.

What would you like to say to students thinking of choosing this programme?
– If you love maths, go for it! And start queuing up for housing already!

Mathematics gives me moments of enlightenment, a more logical mindset and higher personal value. I really wish more people would give maths a chance as it is a fascinating subject and not as difficult as many believe.

Besides studying math, I like painting, playing the piano, playing with my cat, playing video games, watching TV, baking, and reading novels. In addition to living my life, I take extra courses from the Department of Information Technology.

Spring 2024

Why did you choose this programme and this specialisation at Uppsala University?
– My Bachelor's major is within the intersection of applied mathematics and computer science. I am also very interested in data processing, so I wanted to take some statistics courses based on these two. When I checked the information on this programme, I found it meets my requirements. I also wanted to change my learning environment. I studied my Bachelor's in Shanghai, a very busy city, and I wanted to move to a quiet place to continue my graduate studies. So I chose Uppsala.

Has the programme lived up to your expectations so far?
– Generally, it met my expectations. However, some courses had prerequisites that I did not fulfil and I regret that I didn’t study the courses needed to be able to take them.

What is most challenging?
– I think there will be language challenges at the beginning. Another challenge is the climate; the nights are too long in winter. To pass the time I brought a projector and a Switch, and I would play games and watch movies with my corridor mates.

Do you have good teachers?
– Many of the teachers I met in class are very good.

Do you study any other subject than mathematics within the programme?
– Some statistics and IT courses, such as categorical data analysis, high-performance programming and data mining.

What might a typical day look like?
– A typical day involves going to school, doing homework, cooking, exercising, and resting.

What are your plans after you graduate?
– I want to work for 2–3 years after graduation and see the 'outside world’. Because I have only been in the school environment so far. After that, I might go back to continue with a PhD.

Where and with what would you most like to work?
– I am currently looking to find a job in Sweden, and I want to work in a gaming company as a data analyst, because games can bring people happiness, just like when I play Switch during the winter. But if I can't find a suitable job in Sweden, I will consider returning to China.

What is the best thing about studying at Uppsala University?
– You can calm down and study what you are really interested in instead of following the public's preferences.

The best thing about the programme is that I can choose the courses, immerse myself and discuss the issues that interest me, even if these issues are not as important and valuable in the eyes of others as they are to me.

I appreciate that the teachers encourage me to immerse myself in my interests and that I don´t feel forced to focus on quick profit (ranking and GPA and after – money and fame). If you don’t do research with interest and passion, it will be difficult to persist and conduct in-depth research and not least to enjoy and be happy.

Besides studying math I like watching football games, drawing, baking, and playing video games.

Spring 2024

How did you choose your programme?
– I kept three factors in mind – my previous education, my future goals and my subjects. I made sure that, what I learned in my Bachelor's and the subject I am choosing have some common topics so that I won’t be clueless. I want to be a Data Scientist, so I reviewed the curriculum and career opportunities. I chose applied mathematics and statistics for my Master’s degree.

What is it like to be an international student?
– Honestly, it was very hard to stay so far away from family and all by myself. However, independence seems very enjoyable now – something I experienced for the first time in my life. I live in a student corridor, so I met a lot of people from different nationalities and cultures. I can roam around anywhere and in campus Angstrom I love the spaces to study.

What is the best thing about studying at Uppsala University?
– The thing that fascinates me the most is that you can take any courses you are eligible for, and book meetings with your faculty professors to learn and ask about the topic you are interested in.

Name three things you are doing this week!
Completing my assignments, attend career circle and do some cooking!

What is your reason for studying, or your ultimate goal?
– As I love data and logic, I want to become a data scientist and within 10 years I plan to lead a team of data scientists to help a company grow in both operational and strategical ways.

Describe the student life?
– In Uppsala one semester is divided into cycles which made my life much easier. However, the study pressure is no joke. Sometimes I have multiple assignments to complete in a week and have to discuss the group assignment with my group members too. There are often events, career circle, language classes and conferences to attend. As I love to meet people and listen to their opinions and suggestions, I normally attend those events. So, I would say, as a student some weeks are super busy and some are not that much.

Two quick questions
What is your favourite place in Uppsala?
– Fyris river.

Where is the best place to study?
– Campus Angstrom.

Autumn 2023

How do studies at Uppsala University differ from your previous studies?
– The teachers in Uppsala are very nice and helpful. They are pleased to answer your question about lectures or homework which made me a bit surprised. It makes my learning more efficient. Also, the pressure is not as high here as where I studied before and I feel comfortable and less depressed, which indeed improved my performance.

What is most challenging?
– The most challenging thing in Uppsala is getting through the winter. Winter in Uppsala means short daytime and cold weather, which drove me crazy as a person coming from a sub-tropical area. To pass, ensure you get enough vitamin D, as sunlight is scarcer. Stay connected by talking with friends to keep your spirits high. Regular workouts will boost your mood and energy. Lastly, make time for walks to enjoy the fresh air and stay active.

Do you have good teachers?
– All the teachers in the Department of Mathematics are nice! They are helpful and willing to answer your questions. Additionally, they create a supportive learning environment that encourages learning. Their dedication to teaching and passion for the subject matter truly enhance the educational experience.

What are three things you will do this week?
– Attend a lecture, do an assignment, and have fun with my friends.

Where do you hope to be in your career in five years?
– I hope I will work as a PhD student.

What would you like to say to students thinking of applying to the programme?
– The courses and the exams would not be easy here but I believe you will learn a lot of useful knowledge.

Spring 2024