BSc Mathematics with Placement Year

The Principles of Mathematical Modelling course is designed to provide students with a core and implementable knowledge of how mathematics can be used at the interdisciplinary interface.

Student must have taken EITHER MATH11412 OR MATH11422.

• Achieve a broad understanding of the objectives of mathematical modelling within the physical sciences
• Gain a working knowledge of core techniques behind mathematical modelling
• Develop a basic ability to quantify certain phenomena associated with the physical sciences.

On successful completion of this course unit students will be able to:

1. Make use of the SI units of dimension, and create dimensionless quantities so as to better understand physical phenomenon.
2. Use conservation equations to construct mathematical models of a range of phenomena
3. Non-dimensionalise equations and show how/when small terms can subsequently be neglected from an equation, so as to reduce their complexity.
4. Calculate the stability of 1d and 2d linear systems (and how to reduce a non-linear system down to a linear one).
5. How to communicate scientific concepts/research to a general audience.

Week 1: Introduction to the mathematical modelling.
Weeks 1-3: Introduction to dimensional analysis.
Week 3-6: Introduction to conservation equations.
Weeks 7-10: Introduction to non-dimensionalisation.
Week 11: Introduction to model stability.
Week12: Revision.

60% Examination

20% Group Assessment

20% Coursework

Feedback tutorials will provide an opportunity for students' work to be discussed and provide feedback on their understanding.  Coursework or in-class tests (where applicable) also provide an opportunity for students to receive feedback.  Students can also get feedback on their understanding directly from the lecturer, for example during the lecturer's office hour.

- Acheson, D. From Calculus to Chaos (Oxford, 1985) -Taylor, A. Mathematical Models in Applied Mechanics (Oxford, 1984) -Howison, S. Practical applied mathematics.

- Sonin, A. The physical basis of dimensional analysis.

Tuition fees for home students will be £10,050 for the 2027/28 academic year. In England and Wales, tuition fees for home undergraduate students are subject to the Government fee cap, which the Government has announced will be £10,050 for the 2027/28 academic year.

Government policy is to increase the fee cap on an annual basis to reflect inflation (i.e. increasing costs), and the tuition fee home students pay in subsequent academic years will reflect any increases in the Government fee cap (which we will communicate to you as soon as we can in advance of the relevant academic year).

Tuition fees for international students will be £38,100 for the 2027/28 academic year. For subsequent academic years, the University reserves the right to increase the tuition fee by up to 7% each year, including to reflect rising costs associated with delivering our education and wider student experience.

For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).