BSc (Honours) Mathematics

UCAS code

G100

Attendance

Full-time

Four years full-time (including one year work placement) or three years full-time

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.'

About 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

Associated careers

Due to the quality of our students and the strong relationship we have with industry, several companies take on placement students from this course every year. And placement employers have been so impressed that some students have been offered bursaries for the final year and job offers.

Highly numerate graduates who can solve problems are much in demand by employers. As a graduate of this course you are qualified to work in a range of areas such as • finance • computing • statistics • teaching.

Our graduates have found careers with major organisations such as • PwC • Montgomery Watson • HJ Heinz • Capita Hartshead • Department of Health • Ministry of Defence • banks.

To read more about career options, visit the Maths Careers website www.mathscareers.org.uk

Professional recognition

This course is approved by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications. It meets the educational requirements of chartered mathematician status, if followed by further training and work experience equivalent to a masters degree.

Course content

Year one core modules

• mathematical modelling • mathematical technology • number and structure • mathematical methods • statistics and probability

Year one options

Choose from • basic computer programming • dynamic geometry • history of mathematics • mathematics workshop • foreign language • graphs and networks

Year two core modules

• modelling 2 • linear and discrete mathematics • dynamical systems and Fourier analysis • mathematical analysis • statistical methods

Year two options

Choose from • mathematics for Excel and mathematical programming for the web • business mathematics • introduction to knot theory • chaos and fractals • foreign language

Year three

• optional work placement

Final year core modules

• project • advanced modelling case studies • professional development

Final year options

Choose from • modelling with partial differential equations • digital signal processing • tensors: the mathematics of space and time • fluid flow • data mining with business applications • statistics for business and industry • abstract algebra • foreign language

Assessment

• case studies • group, self and peer assessment • presentations • examinations • project work • coursework

Entry requirements

2014 entry requirements

Normally five GCSEs at grade C or above, including English language, mathematics and science, plus one of the following

• 280 points including at least 160 points from two GCE/VCE A levels, or BTEC National qualifications, or one AVCE double award, including at least 80 points from A2 mathematics

• Foundation – successful completion of our Extended Degree Programme Engineering and Mathematics or equivalent

• Access – an Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 15 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above, from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.

If English is not your first language you must have an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.

We welcome applications from people of any age. We may be flexible in our normal offer if you can show a commitment to succeed and have the relevant skills and experience. This must show that you will benefit from and finish the course successfully.

2013 entry requirements

Normally five GCSEs at grade C or above, including English language, mathematics and science, plus one of the following

• 280 points including at least 160 points from two GCE/VCE A levels, or BTEC National qualifications, or one AVCE double award, including at least 80 points from A2 mathematics

Fees

Home and EU students

2013/14 academic year

For 2013 entry, membership of a professional body is included in the course fee.

International students

2013/14 academic year

Typically £10,680 a year

2014/15 academic year

Typically £11,250 a year

How to apply

You apply for this course through UCAS.

Contact details

For more information or to check the progress of your application phone +44 (0)114 225 5555, fax +44 (0)114 225 4023, e-mail admissions@shu.ac.uk