Logic List Mailing Archive
MA programme in Logic and Philosophy of Science, Munich (Germany)
MA Program in Logic and Philosophy of Science at LMU Munich:
From October 2012 the Faculty of Philosophy, Philosophy of Science and
Study of Religion at LMU Munich is going to run an international MA
program in Logic and Philosophy of Science (next to other MA degrees which
will be starting at the same time, including a general MA in Philosophy).
LMU has a long-standing tradition in philosophy of science and logic that
reaches back to the time of Wolfgang Stegm?ller and Kurt Sch?tte. In
recent years, this tradition has been revived by establishing a new chair
in logic and philosophy of language (held by Hannes Leitgeb) and by
founding the Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy (MCMP,
<http://www.mcmp.philosophie.uni-muenchen.de/index.html>) which is devoted
to the application of logical and mathematical methods in philosophy.
Hannes Leitgeb was awarded an Alexander von Humboldt Professorship by the
German Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in 2010, and in April 2012 it was
announced that another Alexander von Humboldt Professorship will be
awarded to Stephan Hartmann who will be moving to LMU by autumn of this
year in order to take up the chair in philosophy of science at LMU.
Leitgeb and Hartmann will also be co-directing the new MA program. For a
list of people working at LMU in logic, philosophy of science, and
adjacent areas, please see
http://www.mcmp.philosophie.uni-muenchen.de/people/index.html
and
http://www.philosophie.uni-muenchen.de/lehreinheiten/logik/personen/index.html
http://www.mcmp.philosophie.uni-muenchen.de/research/index.html gives a
good overview of some of the research that is presently done here.
Overall, the Faculty of Philosophy, Philosophy of Science and Study of
Religion at LMU is one of the largest in the German-speaking world, it
covers all areas of philosophy, and it has a strong interdisciplinary
orientation towards areas such as physics, neuroscience, mathematics,
statistics, linguistics, computer science, and more.
Here are some details on our MA in Logic and Philosophy of Science:
- Language of program and courses: English.
- Start date: In the coming winter semester, teaching commences on October
15th, 2012.
- Duration: The MA can be done within one year (two semesters, 60 ECTS) or
within two years (four semesters, 120 ECTS), depending on one's
preferences, background, and previous education. The MA is a self-standing
degree, but of course it can also serve as preparation for doctoral
research.
- Structure: In each semester, all students in the program attend a
dedicated compulsory MA seminar (the "Master Colloquium"); over and above
that, right until their final semester, they are choosing units from a
broad range of additional courses in logic, philosophy of science, and
related areas. The final semester is devoted to writing an MA thesis.
- Community: We host a lively community of university faculty, MCMP
fellows, students, and visitors. All MA students will be able to join the
great number of academic activities at the university in general and at
the MCMP in particular, including two weekly research seminars in logic,
philosophy of science, and mathematical philosophy for speakers from
outside, a weekly internal work-in-progress seminar, reading groups,
workshops, and conferences. For a list of current activities, please take
a look at <http://www.mcmp.philosophie.uni-
muenchen.de/mcmp_events/index.html>. We have strong ties to institutions
of a similar kind, whether on an international scale (see
<http://www.mcmp.philosophie.uni-
muenchen.de/about/partner_inst/index.html>) or in Munich (see
<http://www.mcmp.philosophie.uni-muenchen.de/about/local_groups/index.html>),
and we regularly host visitors who do their research at our Center or who
teach here. Additionally, the journal Erkenntnis
(<http://www.mcmp.philosophie.uni-muenchen.de/erkenntnis/index.html>) is
based at the MCMP.
More information for international students about studying at LMU can be
found at <http://www.en.uni-muenchen.de/students/index.html>.
- Entry requirements: Academically, an average mark in one's undergraduate
studies of at least 2,0 in the German system is required (which
corresponds to at least an upper second-class honours degree in the
British system or the international equivalent thereof). It is possible to
apply for a place in the program even if one does not yet have finished
one's undergraduate studies: in such a case we would make a conditional
offer, accordingly. The program is not just open to philosophy and logic
undergraduates but also to undergraduates from relevant scientific
disciplines, such as mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry,
neuroscience, computer science, engineering, economics, linguistics,
psychology, cognitive science, the social sciences or related disciplines.
If your first language is not English and you do not have a degree from an
English-speaking university, you will need to supply us with evidence of
your language skills as far as speaking and writing in English is
concerned: we demand at least a 6.5 in all IELTS bands (or equivalent).
- Fees and financial support: Every student at LMU has to pay EUR 500 per
semester for their studies. We will be able to support selected applicants
to our MA program in Logic and Philosophy of Science with a limited number
of a tax-free monthly stipends of EUR 1000 for the whole period of their
studies.
- Application: We will accept applications until
July 15th, 2012
but we strongly recommend to apply before that date.
First of all, please submit your application electronically to
office.leitgeb@lrz.uni-muenchen.de
The following files are required:
(1) A cover letter in which you explain why you would like to join the program.
(2) A CV (including the list of courses that you have taken as an undergraduate).
(3) A copy of your undergraduate final grade certificate.
(4) A seminar paper or published article that you have written which is
open in terms of its subject, but which should give evidence of clarity of
thought, systematicity, logical argumentation, and an awareness of
methodological questions, which are all particularly relevant to our MA
program.
(5) Two letters of reference, which should also address your special
potential in the very areas that are covered by our MA program.
(6) Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS or equivalent), in case
your first language is not English and you do not have a degree from an
English-speaking university.
If necessary, applicants may also be interviewed. If you have questions
about that part of the application process, please send them
tooffice.leitgeb@lrz.uni-muenchen.de as well.
Secondly, and in addition, please apply simultaneously to the
International Affairs Office at LMU which will check for general
requirements that concern Master studies at LMU in general. At
<http://www.en.uni-muenchen.de/students/degree/downloads2/index.html> you
can download the set of application documents for Master degrees at LMU.
There you will also find information about which documents to submit to
the International Affairs Office, how to submit them, and whom you can
contact about this other part of the application process in case of
questions.
- Continuing after the MA: The MA program can be continued by entering our
PhD program. The MCMP regularly advertises Doctoral Fellowships to which
students in our MA program may apply.
- Proviso: We should add that, since the MA program is new, it still needs
to be confirmed officially by the senate of the LMU (amongst others).
- Contact: If you have any questions about the program or the application
process, please send a message to office.leitgeb@lrz.uni-muenchen.de