BSc (Hons) Mathematics

• This programme offers modules in all key areas of mathematics, statistics and theoretical physics, including a wide choice of final year options allowing you to follow your interests and shape your future career. In the 2016 National Student Survey (NSS), 100 per cent of our final year students said that 'The course is intellectually stimulating'.
  
• You will acquire skills which are highly sought after by employers: problem solving skills, knowledge of industry software packages as well as presentation and communication skills. In the 2016 NSS, 93 per cent of our final year students said that 'As a result of the course, I feel confident in tackling unfamiliar problems'.
  
• Our graduates find a wide range of interesting jobs jobs or progress to postgraduate study, often winning funded places on highly contested MSc courses. Recent employers include Ernst & Young, PAREXEL, Glory Global Solutions, KPMG, PWC, GCHQ, Lloyds Banking Group, the Met Office, Towers Watson, Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit, BT Retail.
  
• Modules are taught by lecturers who are outstanding as both teachers and researchers. In the 2016 NSS, 93 per cent of our final year students said that 'Staff are good at explaining things'. In the last UK Research Excellence Framework (2014), 68 per cent of our research papers were classified as 'World Leading' or 'Internationally Excellent'.
  
• Our generous contact hours, our open door policy and small group tutorial sessions are designed to enhance and support your learning experience. Both peer-assisted learning activities and dedicated study space are provided. We use the latest technology in class and you will be equipped with a tablet PC so that you can access Podcasts and eBooks which form part of our extensive suite of online support materials.
  
• A paid placement year primes you for the career you want. Previous placement providers for our maths students have included the Department for Communities and Local Government, Eli Lilly, Fujitsu, GlaxoSmithKline and Liberty Living. This placement year is optional but highly recommended.
  
• Our course is accredited by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications and your degree sets you on a path to Chartered Mathematician (CMath) status.
  

• Year 1
• In Year 1 you'll acquire a solid foundation through mastering calculus, linear algebra, numerical methods and programming, plus probability and statistical inference. New material includes an introduction to logic and methods of proof and the number theory underlying public key cryptography, which you use every time you purchase something online. You'll also study branches of pure mathematics such as group theory and graph theory.

  Core modules

  • BPIE113 Stage 1 Mathematics Placement Preparation

    This module is aimed at students who may be undertaking an industrial placement in the third year of their programme. It is designed to assist students in their search for a placement and in their preparation for the placement itself.

  • MATH1601 Mathematical Reasoning

    This module introduces the basic reasoning skills needed for the development and applications of modern mathematics. The importance of clear logical thinking will be explored in various mathematical topics. This will include fundamental properties of prime numbers, their random generation and use in cryptography.

  • MATH1602 Calculus and Analysis

    This module covers key topics in calculus and analysis and prepares students for the rest of their degree. It has a greater emphasis on proof and rigour than at A-level and introduces some multi-dimensional calculus together with the reasoning skills needed for the development of modern mathematics. The rigorous underpinning of analysis will be developed and applied to limits of sequences, series and functions.

  • MATH1603 Linear Algebra and Complex Numbers

    This module explores the concepts and applications of vectors, matrices and complex numbers. The deep connection between algebra and geometry will be explored. The techniques that will be presented in this module are at the foundation of many areas of mathematics, statistics, physics, and several other applications.

  • MATH1604PP Symmetry and Space

    This module will introduce the foundations of the study of symmetries - group theory, and the study of the characteristics of shapes and spaces - topology and geometry. The topics covered, and geometry in general, will be placed in the context of the wider discipline of mathematics, introducing their historical development and their relationship with (for example) art and physics.

  • MATH1605 Probability with Applications

    An understanding of uncertainty and random phenomena is becoming increasingly important nowadays in daily life and for a variety of fields. The aim of this module in probability is to develop the concept of chance in a mathematical framework. Random variables are also introduced, with examples involving most of the common distributions and the concepts of expectation and variance of a random variable.

  • MATH1606 Numerical and Computational Methods

    This module provides an introduction to the Maple and Matlab software, computational mathematics and creating simple computer programs. Students will use Maple/Matlab interactively and also write procedures in the Maple/Matlab computer languages. The elementary numerical methods which underlie industrial and scientific applications will be studied.

• Year 2
• In Year 2 you'll expand your knowledge with topics including vector calculus, real and complex analysis, differential equations, transform theory and mathematical statistics. A case studies module introduces operational research, the branch of mathematics developed for better management and decision making, and powerful Monte Carlo methods for simulating complex problems.

  Core modules

  • BPIE213 Stage 2 Mathematics Placement Preparation

    This module is aimed at students who may be undertaking an industrial placement in the third year of their programme. It is designed to build on the Level 1 module (BPIE111) and to assist students in their search for a placement and in their preparation for the placement itself.

  • MATH2601 Advanced Calculus

    Partial differentiation is consolidated and applied to practical problems. Multiple integration is introduced. Vector calculus is introduced and its use in integration explored.

  • MATH2602 Statistical Inference and Regression

    The module provides a mathematical treatment of statistical inference, including confidence intervals and hypothesis testing. Methods of estimation are explored, focusing on maximum likelihood estimation. The module also demonstrates the underlying mathematical theory of the general linear model, through a variety of applications, using professional software.

  • MATH2603 Ordinary Differential Equations

    The module aims to provide an introduction to different types of ordinary differential equations and analytical and numerical methods to obtain their solutions. Extensive use will be made of computational mathematics packages. Applications to mechanical and chemical systems are considered as well as the chaotic behaviour seen in climate models.

  • MATH2604 Mathematical Methods and Applications

    Vector calculus is extended to higher dimensions and applied to a range of important scientific problems primarily from classical mechanics and cosmology. Differential and integral calculus is applied to the solution of differential equations and the orthogonal functions bases are constructed. The crucial mathematical concepts of integral transforms (Fourier and Laplace) and Fourier series are introduced.

  • MATH2605 Operational Research and Monte Carlo Methods

    This module gives students the opportunity to work on open-ended case studies in operational research (OR) and Monte Carlo methods, both of which are important methods in, for example, industry and finance. It allows students to work on their own and in teams to develop specific skills in OR and programming as well as refining their presentation and communication skills.

  • MATH2606 Real and Complex Analysis

    This module deepens the student's understanding of real analysis and introduces complex analysis. The important distinction between real and complex analysis is explored and the utility of the complex framework is demonstrated. The central role of power series and their convergence properties are studied in depth. Applications include the evaluation of improper integrals and the construction of harmonic functions.

• Optional placement year
• You'll have the opportunity to participate in an optional but highly recommended placement year, providing valuable paid professional experience and helping make your CV stand out. Typically students are paid around £17,000 and placement providers have included the Department for Communities and Local Government, Fujitsu, GlaxoSmithKline, Vauxhall Motors, VirginCare, Visteon and Jagex Games Studio.

  Optional modules

  • BPIE331 Mathematics and Statistics Placement

    A 48-week period of professional training spent as the third year of a sandwich programme undertaking an approved placement with a suitable company. This provides an opportunity for the student to gain experience of how mathematics and statistics are used in a working environment, to consolidate the first two stages of study and to prepare for the final stage and employment after graduation.

• Final year
• The final year focuses on individual and group project modules offering a chance for you to study a topic of your choice in depth. Also you may opt to study a school-based placement module. You’ll additionally have a wide choice of modules which cover a varied range of topics from pure and applied mathematics and operational research, to theoretical physics and statistics.

  Optional modules

  • MATH3601 Mathematical Sciences in Context

    This module is designed to be an alternative to the MATH3501 individual project. In the module students will perform structured investigations on a variety of advanced topics in mathematics and statistics. Written and oral presentations of the work will be made.

  • MATH3603 Professional Experience in Mathematics Education

    This module provides an opportunity for final year students to gain experience in teaching and to develop their key educational skills by working in a school environment for one morning a week over two semesters.

  • MATH3604 Geometry and Algebra

    Plane affine, hyperbolic, and projective geometries will be explored, from the Kleinian point of view. Then an introduction to rings and fields will be given with applications in geometry. All of these topics require a brief review of group theory.

  • MATH3605 Partial Differential Equations

    This module introduces Partial Differential Equations using real-life problems. It provides a variety of analytic and numerical methods for their solution. It includes a wide range of applications including heat diffusion and the Tsunami wave.

  • MATH3606 Classical and Quantum Mechanics

    This module introduces advanced classical mechanics and the key ideas of quantum mechanics to students with a mathematics background. An overarching theme will be the key role of symmetry, both for classical motion and quantum behaviour.

  • MATH3609 Optimisation, Networks and Graphs

    This module introduces the mathematics of continuous and discrete optimisation. It provides the theoretical background and practical algorithmic techniques required to model and solve a diverse range of problems.

  • MATH3611 Electrodynamics and Relativity

    This module introduces Maxwell's theory of electromagnetism and Einstein's theory of special relativity. It includes a wide range of applications of electromagnetism, the Lorentz transformations and some of the apparent paradoxes of relativity together with their resolution. It will also explain why E = mc^2.

  • MATH3612 Dynamical Systems

    This module presents an introduction to the basic concepts and techniques needed to analyse nonlinear dynamical systems modelled by differential equations and difference equations. Both regular and chaotic dynamics will be explored.

  • MATH3613 Data Modelling

    This module provides an employment relevant tool box of statistical modelling techniques and a rigorous treatment of the some underlying mathematics. The Bayesian framework for statistical inference will be presented and compared with the classical approach. Relevant computational algorithms, including Markov chain Monte Carlo, will be described. Application rich modelling problems will be considered.

  • MATH3614 Medical Statistics

    The content includes the design and analysis of clinical trials, including crossover and sequential designs and an introduction to meta-analysis. Epidemiology is studied, including case-control and cohort studies. Survival analysis is covered in detail. Computer packages are used throughout.

  • MATH3616 Professional Experience in Industry

    This module provides an opportunity for final year students to gain experience in applying mathematics in a professional environment and to develop relevant key competencies by working in a commercial environment for one day a week.

  • MATH3623 Financial Statistics

    This module introduces students to the concepts and methods of financial time series analysis and modelling and to a variety of financial applications. The module reviews the necessary univariate and multivariate time series models and inferential techniques. Model selection, forecasting and curse of dimensionality problems are treated both at methodological and computational levels.

  • MATH3628 Project

    In this module students will work individually and independently, with help and advice from a supervisor, on a topic chosen by the student. This could range from a topic preparing for a particular career or a subject which the student is particularly interested in exploring in depth. Written and oral presentations of the work will be made.

  • MATH3629 Fluid Dynamics

    Fluid flow problems are formulated mathematically as systems of partial differential equations. These will then be solved and the results interpreted for a mixture of theoretical and practical examples of both inviscid and viscous fluid flows. Applications studied will include: aeronautics, ocean waves and a variety of industrial topics.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

BScMathematics ProgrammeSpecification September 2017 0153

UCAS tariff

120 - 128