Mathematics at Bristol

Dr John Mackay (co-Admissions Tutor)

bristol.ac.uk/maths

Mathematics Post-Offer Visit Day Programme

1.30-2.15: Mathematics at Bristol talk

2.20-3.15: Student activities: Taster tutorials, and tea & coffee with current students

3.20-3.50: Current students talk

Maths at Bristol Structure of the courses here

How we support you and your learning

Where do students go after graduating?

Some Bristol distinctives: flexible degrees, world-class mathematics and facilities,…

Do ask questions!

Core Applied Pure Probability & Statistics

Analysis (20) ODEs, Curves & Dynamics (20)

Introduction to Proofs and Group

Theory (20)

Probability &Statistics (20)

Linear Algebra & Geometry (20)

MathematicalInvestigations

(20)

● Each year = 120cp (credit points)● Single Honours only – joint degrees and study abroad degrees differ

First Year Units

Maths Core + Maths Physics

Analysis (20) ODEs, Curves & Dynamics (20)

Core Physics I: Mechanics & Matter

(20)

Linear Algebra & Geometry (20)

Probability (10) Core Physics II: Oscillations, Waves

and Fields (20)

Physics Laboratory (10)

Maths is the lead department.

First Year: Maths & Physics

Maths Core + Maths Philosophy

Analysis (20) ODEs, Curves & Dynamics (20)

Introduction to Philosophy A (20)

Linear Algebra & Geometry (20)

Introduction to Proofs and Group Theory (20)

Introduction to Philosophy A (20)

Maths is the lead department.

First Year: Maths & Philosophy

Typical First Year Timetable

~19 total contact hours; teaching 9am – 6pm

Current 2nd Year UnitsTeaching Block 1 (before

Christmas)Teaching Block 2 (after

Christmas)

Multivariable Calculus and Complex Functions*

Mathematical Programming*

Combinatorics Algebra 2

Linear Algebra 2 Introduction to Geometry

Metric Spaces Applied Partial Differential Equations 2

Ordinary Differential Equations 2 Mechanics 2

Statistics 2 Probability 2

Perspectives in Mathematics

* = Mandatory units Typical contact hours = 12● All units above are 20cp, so 6 units in total● Can also take 20cp of open units, see later...

Current 3rd Year UnitsTeaching Block 1 Teaching Block 2

Complex Function Theory Dynamical Systems & Ergodic Theory

Group Theory Functional Analysis

Measure Theory and Integration Logic

Set Theory Number Theory

Topics in Modern Geometry Topics in Discrete Mathematics

Fields, Forms and Flows Calculus of Variations

Fluid Dynamics Mathematical Methods

Information Theory Numerical Analysis

Modern Mathematical Biology Random Matrix Theory

Quantum Mechanics Statistical Mechanics

Complex Networks Bayesian Modelling

Financial Risk Management Financial Mathematics

Linear & Generalised Linear Models Further Topics in Probability

Martingale Theory with Applications Multivariate Analysis

Stochastic Optimisation Optimisation

Time Series Analysis Theory of Inference

Individual or Group Projects; International Mentoring; Maths in Schools; Open units

4th Year (MSci)

Similar to 3rd year with lot of options across mathematics: Algebraic Topology, Quantum Chaos, Financial Time Series...

20cp+ individual project compulsory

All units at 4th year “Masters” level.

Note: can switch between B.Sc and M.Sci up to final year.

Performance hurdle at end of year 2.

Joint Programmes Maths/Physics:

Year 2: Mandatory 60cp Maths and 60cp Physics.

BSc Year 3: Mandatory 20cp Phys, 30cp Phys project (overall 60/60 split)

MSci Year 3: 20cp/40cp mandatory Maths/Phys (overall 60/60 split)

MSci Year 4: Mandatory 30cp Physics project (overall 60/60 split) Maths/Philosophy:

Year 2: 40cp mandatory in Phil (overall 60/60 split)

BSc Year 3: 20cp/20cp mandatory in Maths/Phil (overall 60/60 split)

MSci Year 3: 40cp mandatory Maths (overall 60/60 split)

MSci Year 4: 60cp mandatory in Maths/Phil (overall 60/60 split) Can switch (relatively easily) from joint Hons to single Hons at end of year 1

Strong staff/research links to joint departments

Other joint programmes with Computer Science and Economics, similar outline

Study Abroad Programmes Mathematics with study in Continental Europe BSc / MSci

Years 1&2: do 20cp of relevant language (instead of Maths Investigations / open unit)

Year 3: Study at partner European university (Lausanne, Hanover, Paris, Madrid...)

Year 4: BSc students return to take the Maths BSc Year 3

Year 4: MSci students return to take the Maths MSci Year 4 Mathematics with Study Abroad MSci:

Years 1&2: As standard maths BSc/MSci degree

Year 3: Study at partner international university (Singapore, Sydney, Wisconsin...)

Year 4: As maths MSci Year 4 Courses have progression hurdles in 2nd year

Popular Open UnitsUnit name Department

Cryptography Computer Science

Big Ideas in Science Chemistry

Introduction to Accountancy Economics

Languages Language School

Principles of Economics Economics

Dynamics of Networks Engineering Mathematics

Introduction to Psychology Experimental Psychology

● 20+ options, plus a further ~20+ language options in 10+ languages

● Normally up to 20cp in years 2 & 3

Your study & support Most units are taught at least partly through lectures Each taught unit issues homework (~2 hours per week)

Year 1 Tutorials fortnightly for five main courses (~12 students per group)

Workshops & mini-projects (Maths investigations unit)

Problems classes

Year 2 Large group Problems Classes Smaller group Tutorials Maths Cafes (run by 3rd/4th year students) Lecturer drop-in sessions

Years 3 & 4 Problems classes Lecturer drop-in sessions Maths Cafe in 3rd year Individual staff supervision of projects

Your support and feedback Personal Tutor (permanent member of staff) assigned in 1st year &

remains throughout degree.

Senior Tutors: oversee student welfare and offers general guidance e.g. unit choices, exam preparation, extenuating circumstances.

Admin support team: e.g. timetable, exams.

University support: Study skills training, personal development planning, Bristol PLUS award, Wellbeing advisors, Careers Service

Maths student society: MATRIX.

Student/Staff Liaison Committee.

Student course reps on Teaching Committee.

In-course and end of course lecture feedback.

Assessment Two exam periods: January & May/June.

Most maths units assessed mainly by exam.All taught 1st and 2nd year units include at least 10% coursework

Normally must pass all units to progress to following year.

Roughly 2% of students are required to leave at end of Year 1.

Degree class weighted average of marks from second year on.

Roughly 25% of students leave with 1st class degrees; 65% with >= 2.i degrees.

Post degree employment

Working full time

Working part time

Due to start work in the next month

Study full time

Study part time

Travel

Doing something else

Unemployed

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

Graduate Destinations Mathematics: 2016/17

Careerdestinations

PriceWater-houseCoopers

Cisco Systems Treasury Analyst

Cambridge Brain Sciences

Civil Service

BoA Merrill Lynch

Willis Towers Watson

Software Developer

RBS Big Data Engineer

Deutsche Bank Deloitte Gresham Technologies

Hargreaves Lansdown

Entrepreneur

Financial Conduct Auth.

UCAS Data Scientist Ernst & Young Instrument Repairer

Teach First HSBC FX Options Trader

Sky KPMG

Employment Sector 2016/17: Mathematics

Accounting & management consultancy

Finance and insurance

I.T.

Education

Hospitality

Recruitment

Other (12 sectors)

The City Our location: City centre “campus” Bristol's reputation (employers) Our research Strength across mathematics: Applied, Pure

and Statistics How our research drives our teaching

What makes us distinctive?

The City

Bristol ranked 5th in UK Research Excellence Framework, (REF) 2014; ranked 2nd for Impact.

Interdisciplinary work with Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, Experimental Psychology, Earth Sciences, Nanoscience, Computer Science etc.

Work with industry: HP, Toshiba, Met Office, etc

Research

Research is the recognised currency of reputation.

REF ranking means £££ which we can use to recruit world-leading mathematicians here to teach you.

We design distinctive modern maths courses related to research.

Supervisor-led individual projects can take you to cutting edge research topics.

Why is our research important?

Difficult to choose the wrong University!

Facts and figures... but… really it's a gut decision.

There's not much to choose between the top few Maths departments in terms of courses & quality of teaching...

…grade offers not always best indicator of quality of a course.

Think hard about where you want to live for 3 or 4 years!

Are you suited to our course?

You

Mathematics Post-Offer Visit Day Programme

● 1.30-2.15: Mathematics at Bristol talk

● 2.20-3.15: Student activities: Taster tutorials, and tea & coffee with current students

● 3.20-3.50: Current students talk

Thank you for coming!