BSc Mathematics with Computing

Program Overview

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Mathematics and computing are intertwined, and affect people's lives in ways you might not expect. Maths is the language that underpins the modern world. Our BSc Mathematics with Computing course is mathematical at heart, but is backed up with training in programming and algorithms. You’ll receive a good grounding in a broad range of subjects and have the flexibility to choose options according to your interests in both our Department of Mathematical Sciences and our School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering. This allows you to tailor your degree to your chosen specialism or preferred career path. At Essex we help you develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will start to prepare you to succeed in a wide range of careers involving mathematics and computing. You can build a sound set of skills spanning both disciplines including rigorous problem-solving skills. For example, in mathematics you will learn to analyse very large datasets as well as discover deep insights into complex systems. This is complemented by computational modules that give you will the ability to see a computer system from specification through design, testing and documentation to implementation, and experience of writing technical descriptions and reports.

Professional accreditation

This programme will meet the educational requirements of the Chartered Mathematician designation, awarded by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, when it is followed by subsequent training and experience in employment to obtain equivalent competences to those specified by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for taught masters degrees. Why we're great.

• 85% of our Department of Mathematical Sciences graduates are in employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2023).
• We are continually broadening the array of expertise in our department, giving you a wide range of options and letting you tailor your degree to your interests.
• We are 26th in the UK for Mathematics in The Guardian University Guide 2023.

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Study abroad

Your education extends beyond the university campus. We support you in expanding your education through offering the opportunity to spend a year or a term studying abroad at one of our partner universities. The four-year version of our degree allows you to spend the third year abroad or employed on a placement abroad, while otherwise remaining identical to the three-year course. Studying abroad allows you to experience other cultures and languages, to broaden your degree socially and academically, and to demonstrate to employers that you are mature, adaptable, and organised. If you spend a full year abroad you'll only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee to Essex for that year. You won't pay any tuition fees to your host university

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Placement year

Alternatively, you can spend your third year with an external organisation, learning about a particular sector, company or job role, applying your academic knowledge in a practical working environment, and receiving inspiration for future career pathways. You will be responsible for finding your placement, but with support and guidance provided by both your department and the placements team. If you complete a placement year you'll only pay 20% of your usual tuition fee to Essex for that year.

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Our expert staff

As well as being world-class academics, our mathematics staff are award-winning teachers. Many of our academics have won national or regional awards for lecturing, and many of them are qualified and accredited teachers – something which is very rare at a university. Our original computer science department was founded by Professor Tony Brooker, who came to Essex from Manchester where he had worked with Alan Turing. Professor Brooker invented the compiler-compiler, one of the earliest applications of a formal understanding of the nature of programming languages. In recent years our School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering has attracted many highly active research staff and we are conducting world-leading research in areas such as evolutionary computation, brain-computer interfacing, intelligent inhabited environments and financial forecasting.

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Specialist facilities

Take advantage of our extensive learning resources to assist you in your studies:

• In addition to teaching, we have a Maths Support Centre , which offers help to students on a range of mathematical problems. Throughout term-time, we can chat through mathematical problems either on a one-to-one or small group basis
• We have our own computer labs for the exclusive use of students in the School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering and we have a dedicated social and study space for maths students situated in the STEM Centre
• Software includes Java, Prolog, C++, Perl, Mysql, Matlab, DB2, Microsoft Office, Visual Studio, and Project
• You have access to CAD tools and simulators for chip design (Xilinx) and computer networks (OPNET)
• We also have specialist facilities for research into areas including non-invasive brain-computer interfaces, intelligent environments, robotics, optoelectronics, video, RF and MW, printed circuit milling, and semiconductors

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Your future

Clear thinkers are required in every profession, so the successful mathematician has an extensive choice of potential careers. Mathematics and computing graduates are highly employable in a wide range of places, working in business, pharmaceutical industries, banking and computing among others. The Council for Mathematical Sciences offers further information on careers in mathematics. Recent graduates from our BSc Mathematics with Computing course have found employment as:

• Junior software programmers
• Web designers
• Web developers

We also work with our University's Student Development Team to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

Program Outline

Course structure

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, or in response to COVID-19, we’ll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

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Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose. Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

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Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits. In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available. Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code . For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

HR	100	4	FY
The department or school the module will be taught by. In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.	The module number.	The UK academic level of the module. A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course. A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules. A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.	The term the module will be taught in. AU : Autumn term SP : Spring term SU : Summer term FY : Full year AP : Autumn and Spring terms PS: Spring and Summer terms AS: Autumn and Summer terms

Year 1 Year 2 Final Year The aim of this module is to provide an introduction to the fundamental concepts of computer programming. After completing this module, students will be expected to be able to demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles and concepts that underlie the procedural programming model, explain and make use of high-level programming language features that support control, data and procedural abstraction. Also, they will be able to analyse and explain the behaviour of simple programs that incorporate standard control structures, parameterised functions, arrays, structures and I/O. View Introduction to Programming on our Module Directory Want to become a Java programmer? Topics covered in this module include control structures, classes, objects, inheritance, polymorphism, interfaces, file I/O, event handling, graphical components, and more. You will develop your programming skills in supervised lab sessions where help will be at hand should you require it. View Object-Oriented Programming on our Module Directory This module will allow you to build your knowledge of differentiation and integration, how you can solve first and second order differential equations, Taylor Series and more. View Calculus on our Module Directory How do you apply the addition rule of probability? Or construct appropriate diagrams to illustrate data sets? Learn the basics of probability (combinatorial analysis and axioms of probability), conditional probability and independence, and probability distributions. Understand how to handle data using descriptive statistics and gain experience of R software. View Statistics I on our Module Directory You'll be introduced to a range of important concepts which are used in all areas of mathematics and statistics. This module is structured in such a way that during learning sessions you'll develop good practical understanding of these concepts via discussion and exercises, and have an opportunity to ask questions. Theory is introduced via recorded videos and the corresponding notes published on Moodle, and also via recommendations of textbooks. The contact hours are dedicated to interactive activities such as lab exercises and flipped lecture quizzes; also you will have some additional formative tests in Moodle. View Matrices and Complex Numbers on our Module Directory This module introduces you to programming skills in the context of a range of mathematical modelling topics. Mathematical modelling skills will be an important focus alongside learning how to structure and implement codes in both Matlab and R. A key part of the module will be investigative open-ended computational modelling studies at both the group and individual level. View Mathematical and Computational Modelling on our Module Directory This module will provide you with a foundation of knowledge on the mathematics of sets and relations. You will develop an appreciation of mathematical proof techniques, including proof by induction. View Discrete Mathematics on our Module Directory What skills do you need to succeed during your studies? And what about after university? How will you realise your career goals? Develop your transferable skills and experiences to create your personal profile. Reflect on and plan your ongoing personal development, with guidance from your personal advisor within the department. View Mathematics Careers and Employability on our Module Directory This module extends the students' knowledge and skills in object-oriented application programming by a treatment of further Java language principles and of important Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). The Java Collections API is explored in some more detail with emphasis on how to utilise these classes to best effect. A particular focus will be on the interaction with databases (e.g. via JDBC) and on writing secure applications. View Application Programming on our Module Directory Data structures and algorithms lie at the heart of Computer Science as they are the basis for the efficient solution of programming tasks. In this module, students will study core algorithms and data structures, as well as being given an introduction to algorithm analysis and basic computability. View Data Structures and Algorithms on our Module Directory How do you prove simple properties of linear space from axioms? Can you check whether a set of vectors is a basis? How do you change a basis and recalculate the coordinates of vectors and the matrices of mapping? Study abstract linear algebra, learning to understand advanced abstract mathematical definitions. View Linear Algebra on our Module Directory In this module you'll be introduced to the basics of probability and random variables. Topics you will discuss include distribution theory, estimation and Maximum Likelihood estimators, hypothesis testing, basic linear regression and multiple linear regression implemented in R. View Statistics II on our Module Directory How can we rigorously discuss notions of infinity and the infinitely small? When do limits and derivatives of functions make sense? This module introduces the mathematics which enables calculus to work, with the epsilon-and-delta definition of limits as its cornerstone. Fundamental theorems are proved about sequences and series of real numbers, and about continuous and differentiable functions of a single real variable. View Real Analysis on our Module Directory Are you able to solve a small linear programming problem using an appropriate version of the Simplex Algorithm? Learn to formulate an appropriate linear programming model and use the MATLAB computer package to solve linear programming problems. Understand the methods of linear programming, including both theoretical and computational aspects. View Optimisation (Linear Programming) on our Module Directory How can we solve a problem that does not have a nice pen-and-paper solution? How do we ensure our computers use the available data efficiently to deliver accurate and reliable results? Understand the practical techniques for carrying out numerical computations on a range of mathematical problems. Build your knowledge of mathematical computing. Learn how to implement and execute algorithms in Matlab. View Numerical Methods on our Module Directory COMPONENT 08: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS MA202-5-SP or MA204-5-SP (15 CREDITS) What skills do you need to succeed during your studies? And what about after university? How will you realise your career goals? Develop your transferable skills and experiences to create your personal profile. Reflect on and plan your ongoing personal development, with guidance from your personal advisor within the department. View Mathematics Careers and Employability on our Module Directory Can you identify curves and regions in the complex plane defined by simple formulae? How do you evaluate residues at pole singularities? Study complex analysis, learning to apply the Residue Theorem to the calculation of real integrals. View Complex Variables on our Module Directory COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS MA829-6-AU or MA830-6-SP (15 CREDITS) COMPONENT 03: OPTIOL Computing option(s) from list (30 CREDITS) COMPONENT 04: OPTIOL Mathematics option(s) from list (60 CREDITS) What skills do you need to succeed during your studies? And what about after university? How will you realise your career goals? Develop your transferable skills and experiences to create your personal profile. Reflect on and plan your ongoing personal development, with guidance from your personal advisor within the department. View Mathematics Careers and Employability on our Module Directory

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Placement

On a placement year you gain relevant work experience within an external business or organisation, giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market and providing you with key contacts within the industry. The rest of your course remains identical to the three-year degree.

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Year abroad

On your year abroad, you have the opportunity to experience other cultures and languages, to broaden your degree socially and academically, and to demonstrate to employers that you are mature, adaptable, and organised. The rest of your course remains identical to the three-year degree.

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Teaching

• Teaching mainly takes the form of lectures – you study roughly two 50-minute lectures and one 50-minute class per week, per module
• Take a mathematics careers and employability module, where you compile a portfolio of skills and experience
• A significant amount of practical lab work will need to be undertaken for written assignments and as part of your learning in computer science

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Assessment

• Your final mark is a weighted combination of marks gained on coursework (eg homework problem sheets or tests) and your summer examinations
• Third-year students have the opportunity to complete a full-year or one-term project