BSc Mathematics and Statistics / Course details

This very flexible single honours degree programme is particularly for you if you expect to use statistics in your future professional work. You will develop the capacity to formulate and analyse problems and to interpret scientific evidence using appropriate statistical methodology.

A core of basic mathematics, probability and statistics  provides you with the fundamental knowledge and skills, and the basis for more advanced work later on. Core material is covered in the first year, developing the capacity to learn and apply mathematical and statistical ideas.  In the second year, besides probability and statistics, you can choose to take on courses from pure or applied mathematics, along with other optional units such as Programming with R.  You will understand the significance and power of mathematics, and to acquire a thorough knowledge and understanding of those  topics that any employer would expect of a Mathematics and Statistics graduate. 

After the first two years, you chose your lecture courses from a widening range of options in order that you can pursue those areas which most interest you.   In the final year at least half of your module choices will be in probability and statistics.  You can choose to do a final year project instead of a lecture course on an appropriate topic supervised by a member of the academic staff.

• Small group teaching is a significant part of the first year.
• A wide range of options is available in the third year.
• All undergraduate students have affiliate membership of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications.
• Students have an opportunity to spend a year on a work based placement. This gives an opportunity to gain invaluable work based experience and learn more about themselves and the workplace so that they are better able to make good choices about a career post-graduation. Many students who have a year placement are taken on by the same employer once they have finished their studies.  The placement happens after two years study, with the student returning after their placement year to take their third year here.  Whilst students wanting to take the work based placement are responsible for finding their own placement, they will be supported in this through a special programme set up to help them. This will be done by working closely with dedicated advisers from the Careers Service and support and mentoring within the Department. 

Most teaching is in lectures, with various support classes (example classes, small-group tutorials or sessions in one of the computer clusters) to help you get to grips with the material, exploring topics and working on examples set by the lecturers.

Most course units are assessed by a combination of examination and continual assessment (which may be, for instance, a combination of homework and in-class tests). Some course units (such as the project) are assessed entirely by your submitted work during the semester. The class of your degree is normally based only on your last two years' work.

The Department of Mathematics is based in the brand new, purpose built £40 million Alan Turing Building, set at the heart of the University Campus.  Students benefit from extensive facilities for computing and study, relaxation and refreshment, in an attractive, light and comfortable environment.  Computing: The Department of Mathematics has a number of computer clusters that run the standard software as well as powerful mathematical and statistical software, such as Matlab, Minitab and Mathematica.  All our students have free access to email and the internet.  Other larger clusters are available in the University libraries and clusters are situated in most Halls of Residence; most student rooms also have Ethernet connection.  Library: You will have access to the John Rylands University Library of Manchester, one of the largest and best-equipped libraries in the UK.  A special section of this library provides a short loan facility, where you can reliably obtain textbooks that are recommended for particular courses and borrow them on an overnight basis.  The Department of Mathematics also houses a mathematical library of more advanced books and other material used mainly by research students and staff.