- Year 1
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In the first year you’ll study the same modules as students on BSc (Hons) Mathematics. This gives you both the expertise required to be confident in the classroom and also flexibility in your future career choices. Modules include calculus, linear algebra, numerical methods and probability. There is also a module on proof and reasoning that includes more surprising material such as the mathematics of cryptography. You'll also use professional software. The flexibility of the course allows you to change to other mathematics degrees at the end of the first and second years.
Core modules
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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In Year 2 you'll study a range of modules from real and complex analysis to differential equations giving you further high level mathematical and statistical skills. You’ll also have the opportunity to work with school children as part of our programme of mathematics enrichment activities, or help first year students through our peer assisted learning scheme.
Core modules
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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An optional placement in Year 3 to gain valuable paid professional experience and help make your CV stand out. You will be better able to advise your future students on careers.
Optional modules
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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
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In the final year you'll carry out a year long placement module offering you experience working alongside a mathematics teacher in a primary or secondary school for one morning a week over two terms. Together with our tutorial system, the school placement will strengthen your oral and written communications skills and greatly enhance your employability. You'll also carry out an individual mathematics education project on a topic of your choice. The placement and project combination gives you an ideal start for PGCE teacher training. The degree also gives you excellent prospects in other mathematical careers through a wide choice of final year modules.
Core modules
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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.
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MATH3619 Education Project
The maths education project provides an opportunity to carry out an investigation into an area of mathematics education of your choice.
Optional modules
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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:
BScMathematicswithEducation ProgrammeSpecification September2017 1202
The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.
