Pre-Course Mathematics—Get Ready to Study Physics in Jena

Get ready for your studies with the pre-course in mathematics by the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy

Orientation days at the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy.

Image: DSchmidt (Uni Jena)

Information

The preperatory course in mathematics offered by the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy is held in German. In cases of language barrier problems, please contact us (see below).

Review and Deepen Your High School Mathematics

The mathematics preperatory course (pre-course) consists of two parts. In the first part, essential school-level content is review and fundamental calculation skills are reinforced. Participation in hte second part is strongly recommended, as it revisits and expands on upper-level high school mathematics.

You can find more information about getting started with your studies here.

Content of Part 1

Systems of linear equations with two and three variables
Basic functions (linear functions, power functions)
Quadratic equations
Polynomial division
Summation notation and index shifting
Exponential functions and logarithms
Trigonometry in the plane and trigonometric functions
Basics of differential calculus (derivatives)
Complete induction (mathematics)
Arithmetic and geometric series
Binomial theorem
Vector and matrix calculus
Basics of integral calculus

Part 1 is offered only before the start of the winter term. The online tutorials take place on Zoom

Meeting-ID: 626 7373 7636
Meeting-Link: https://uni-jena-de.zoom-x.de/j/62673737636External link
Passcode: 400880

during

28th September to 2nd October from
5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

There will be an additional short session on 25th September 2026 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. to get the pre-course work started and to get to know each other.

Meeting-ID: 651 0285 8555
Meeting-Link: https://uni-jena-de.zoom-x.de/j/65102858555External link
Passcode: 614021

You still have some questions?

If there are still questions regarding the content and some organisatiorial aspects, you can contact Tom Angrick (tom.angrick@uni-jena.de) to try to resolve the given issues.

Content of Part 2

The focus of the second part is again not on formal, mathematical proofs, but rather on the practical applications of mathematical methods in physical contexts.

Exponential function
Complex numbers
From vector calculus: Scalar products and vector products
Conical sections
Differential calculus with one variable
Multivariable differential calculus: gradients and divergence
Calculus of small quantities
Integral calculus

Schedule

Dates: October 5th to October 16th, 2026. No registration required. There is no overlap of the lectures and exercise sessions and the Welcome Days.

Lectures and seminars will take place daily from 8.00 a.m. until 12 p.m. (noon), Lecture Hall 1, Max-Wien-Platz 1.

We offer additional material (in German) for the Pre-Course in a Moodle course roomExternal link. If you are a student at our university, you can access the room by entering the following key: Vorkurs_Mathematik_PAF

Follow the Lectures on YouTube

Pre-Course Mathematics
External link de
This playlist presents the preparatory course on mathematics aimed at students starting their study programme and can be used in addition to the lectures.

Image: Karl-Heinz Lotze