How you will learn
- We help you develop your understanding in a variety of ways: lectures, workshops, exercise classes, seminars.
- All modules are supported by small-group teaching in which you can discuss topics raised in lectures or receive help in tackling problems.
- We emphasise the 'doing' of mathematics: it cannot be learned passively.
- You will receive regular feedback on your work from your workshop tutor and from the results of tests at the end of the autumn and spring terms.
- All tutors have office hours when you can call in for further help and advice either individually or as a group.
- The Department employs two postgraduate students as Student Support Assistants who can help you with your work and advise on other non-academic problems as well.
- Many minor modules are taught in seminar groups and assessed by a series of essays or presentations.
- We encourage you to use the computer as a versatile working tool and to use the computing laboratories at any time they are not being used for formal teaching. There are suites of computers in every building, with access to the University's main computer network, programming, the Library catalogue, word-processing and the internet. Our machines are networked and are frequently upgraded.
What you will achieve
- Knowledge of the core areas of pure and applied mathematics and statistics. Advanced knowledge in the areas you choose.
- Use of a variety of statistical and mathematical techniques for problem solving and modelling.
- Use of industry-standard software: Maple and MATLAB in applied maths modules; SAS in statistics modules. These provide you with advanced skills in handling numerical data.
- General IT skills such as word processing and email.
- Time management through planning your work, meeting deadlines and organising your studies.
- Experience in working as part of a team – plus developing your organisational skills by working on a group project.
Assessment
- End-of-year examinations are the main mode of assessment. Some modules are assessed on practical work and group projects. Many minor modules are assessed by essays or presentations as well as unseen examinations.
- Short tests are set at the end of term to check your progress. These do not count towards the final degree.
- You can choose projects or dissertations for assessment at later stages of the degree programme.
- The final degree result is based on the assessment for the second and later years only. It is necessary to pass the Year 1 exams to enter the second year and to pass the Year 2 exams to enter the third year. These exams are taken in June. Resits are available in September for those who fail. Year 3 and 4 exams are taken in May.
Jo's perspective
'I'm realling enjoying my degree, and although it is challenging at times I'm well supported by my lecturers, workshop tutors, academic advisor and peers. I have particularly enjoyed geometry and linear algebra as they have built on the things that I liked and succeeded in at A level. I thoroughly enjoyed the first year project; working in groups doing research and drawing on the huge resources available to us was exciting.'
Jo Phillips
BSc in Mathematics student