Analysis 1 and linear Algebra

For every student at TU Berlin aspiring to become an engineer, Analysis 1 and Linear Algebra for Engineering Sciences is the first major hurdle on the path to earning a bachelor’s degree. This demanding 12-credit module includes three two-hour lectures per week (40 in total), a two-hour practice session, and regular homework assignments. It is one of the most challenging courses in the curriculum.

Architects and Mathematics

For my master’s in Audiocommunications, I took this module to reinforce my mathematical foundation and fill in any gaps. Despite the common belief that architects excel at math, engineering mathematics is not a core part of most architecture programs. As a result, this course was a significant challenge—but also one of the most rewarding academic experiences I’ve had.

Dealing with Abstraction

Studying mathematics is much like learning a new language: it has a strict yet highly expressive set of rules. These rules are abstract, making them both broadly applicable and highly structured. For those unfamiliar with this level of formal reasoning, the learning curve can be steep. And when mathematicians teach the subject without bridging this gap, it can feel even more inaccessible.

Significance

Once these fundamental concepts click, they open doors to a wide range of disciplines that rely on formal mathematical reasoning. It’s no coincidence that this module is part of 20 different degree programs, spanning fields from biotechnology and computer science to transport systems. The skills it develops are essential.

Engineering Maths and Acoustics

For acoustics, two topics from the course stand out: complex numbers and Fourier transformation. Both are crucial for working with harmonic functions, which frequently appear in signal processing.

The Exam

Feared for its difficulty at TU Berlin, the 2-hour exam covers nearly the entire course, requiring rigorous preparation. Only a single, handwritten two-sided A4 cheat sheet is allowed. I first created a template in Overleaf, then transferred it by hand. By the time I finished, I had internalized most of the material, making the sheet almost unnecessary.

After passing both this exam and its follow-up, Analysis 2 for Engineers (which extends these concepts to higher-dimensional spaces), I not only feel accomplished but fully equipped to apply these mathematical tools in my field and beyond.