Mathematics – BSc (Honours)

At a glance

Study mathematics and its application in the workplace on a course that was rated as excellent in a recent National Student Survey (NSS). Build on its first-class teaching and facilities provision with an optional year in industry with employers such as Airbus, Covance, Experian and the Department of Health, earning up to £22,000.

Key points
• Students consistently rate our maths provision highly in the NSS.• Be part of a student-led Mathematics Society.
• Learn the practical application of mathematics, specialising in areas that reflect your career aims.

What is mathematics?
General consensus is that no definition of mathematics exists! According to www.mathscareers.org.uk 'Mathematics is more of a way of thinking, or a set of tools, than a specific learned skill. However, a mathematician's logical, problem-solving and numerical skills are highly sought after in many different areas of employment.'

This course

Study mathematics and its practical application on a course that comes highly recommended by its students. You learn how to understand the context of problems and develop the mathematics to represent and solve them in • environmental • medical • industrial • commercial • physical contexts.

Using technology to apply mathematical techniques, you develop your analysis and interpretation skills to provide solutions and conclusions to problems.

In the first year, you develop a range of mathematical, IT and practical skills such as communication, teamworking and problem solving, which you use throughout the course and after graduating.

You choose an optional module in each year relating to mathematics, or options including programming, astronomy or a foreign language.

Build on the specialisms you’ve developed with an optional paid work placement in year three. Typical salaries range from £12,000 to £22,000. This is your chance to apply your academic knowledge in the work environment and, in the process, improve your career prospects. It can even lead to the offer of a permanent job with your placement employer.

We have a strong focus on teaching and learning development and student support. The mathematics teaching team have developed in-house their own specialist software to help you with your learning.

We conduct research into how to improve teaching and have national and international recognition for our academic expertise in this area. We believe that a strong, supportive learning community based on excellent staff-student relations is vital in helping you achieve your potential, and the high scores we consistently receive in the National Student Survey indicate that our students agree (rated excellent in 2011 National Student Survey).

Key areas of study
The course follows three related themes in mathematics
• mathematical and numerical approaches to modelling and problem solving
• analytical approaches exploring topics in greater depth – an essential basis for developing mathematical ideas
• statistical and stochastic methods