Mathematics, Operational Research and Statistics with a Professional Placement Year (MMORS)
Program start date | Application deadline |
2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
The Mathematics, Operational Research and Statistics with Professional Placement Year (MMORS) program at Cardiff University is a five-year program that combines advanced study in mathematics, statistics, and operational research with a year of paid professional experience. The program prepares students for careers in data science, finance, government agencies, and other relevant fields. Students gain practical experience through a professional placement year, develop advanced mathematical and statistical skills, and become candidates for the City and Guilds Senior Licentiateship Award (LCGI).
Program Outline
Mathematics, Operational Research and Statistics with Professional Placement Year (MMORS) at Cardiff University
Degree Overview:
Overview
This five-year program combines advanced study in Mathematics, Statistics, and Operational Research with a year of paid professional experience.
Objectives
- Develop advanced mathematical and statistical skills.
- Gain practical experience through a professional placement.
- Prepare for careers in relevant fields.
- Become a candidate for City and Guilds Senior Licentiateship Award (LCGI).
Program Description
The MMORS program offers in-depth studies in mathematics and statistics, covering theoretical foundations, computational methods, and applications in real-world scenarios. Through a network of industry partners, students undertake a professional placement year during their third year, gaining valuable work experience in relevant fields such as finance, data science, and government agencies.
Outline:
Course Schedule
- Year 1: Focuses on foundational mathematics, including calculus, algebra, analysis, statistics, and probability.
- Year 2: Continues with core modules in calculus, algebra, analysis, statistics, and operational research, with a wider choice of optional modules in mathematics, statistics, and finance.
- Year 3: Professional Placement year working in a paid position as a mathematician or statistician.
- Year 4: Offers 120 credits of optional modules focused on research interests of the School of Mathematics.
- Year 5: Focuses on research training, presenting a substantial project demonstrating independent research skills and mastery of advanced mathematical techniques.
Individual modules
- Year 1:
- Core modules: Elementary Differential Equations, Computing for Mathematics, Geometry, Foundations of Mathematics, Foundations of Mathematics II, Linear Algebra I, Introduction to Probability Theory, Statistical Inference.
- Optional modules: Classical Mechanics, Finance I: Financial Markets and Corporate Financial Management.
- Year 3: Industrial Training (professional placement)
- Year 4: 120 credits of optional modules with a focus on research interests of the School of Mathematics, including Regression Analysis and Experimental Design, Optimisation, Functional and Fourier Analysis, Coding Theory, Algebraic Topology, Number Theory 2, Ordinary Differential Equations, Algebra II: Rings, Algebra III: Fields, Partial Differential Equations, Measure Theory, Knot Theory, Methods of Applied Mathematics, Finite Elasticity, Stochastic Processes for Finance and Insurance, Official Statistics, Multivariate Data Analysis, Algorithms and Heuristics, Game Theory, Mathematics of Artificial Intelligence, Quantitative Risk Management, Introduction to Secondary School Mathematics Teaching.
- Year 5: MMath Project (40 credits) and selection of optional modules from Pure Mathematics, Statistics, and Operational Research, including Lie Algebras, Quantum Information Theory, Calculus of Variations, Advanced Topics in Analysis, Mathematical Biology, Statistics of Big Data, Credit Risk Scoring, Statistical Programming with R and Shiny, Stochastic Search and Optimisation, Supply Chain Modelling, Healthcare Modelling, Reading Modules.
Assessment:
Assessment Methods
- Written examinations at the end of autumn or spring semesters
- Continuous assessments
- Problem-solving exercises
- Written reports
- Computer programs
- Oral presentations
Feedback
- Written feedback on in-course assessments
- Outline solutions to problems
- Examples classes and tutorials
- Discussions with individual lecturers
Year 3 placement assessment
- Report
- Poster
- Oral presentation
- Reflections on professional and personal development
Teaching:
Teaching methods
- Lectures
- Exercise classes
- Small-group tutorials
- Guided study
Faculty
- Qualified academic staff with expertise in various areas of mathematics and statistics
- Open-door policy for individual queries and consultations
Unique Approaches
- Year 5 seminars allow for student participation and discussion.
- Regular updates and illustrations using contemporary research findings.
Careers:
Career Paths
- Data Scientist
- Operational researcher
- Internet technologist
- Medical statistician
- Banker
- Logistician
- Risk manager
- Marketer
Further Options
- PhD in mathematics
- PhD in sciences
- PhD in computing
- PhD in engineering
Career Support
- Spring semester masterclasses on work experience, CVs, application forms, interview skills, and LinkedIn
- Regularly-updated student jobs board with internships, placements, and graduate opportunities
- Presentations by employers and alumni
- Careers Management Skills Programme
- Student and employer presentations
- Sponsored prizes awarded for academic achievement
Other:
- The name of the academic school: School of Mathematics
- The program is housed in the new Abacws building, designed for interdisciplinary, flexible, and creative workspaces, specifically featuring innovative teaching areas and a simulated Trading Room for financial mathematics.
Fees for home status
We are currently awaiting confirmation on tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year. The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in the second and subsequent years of a course as permitted by law or Welsh Government policy. Where applicable we will notify you of any change in tuition fee by the end of June in the academic year before the one in which the fee will increase.
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
We are currently awaiting confirmation on tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year. Learn more about the undergraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. We are currently awaiting confirmation on tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year.
Costs for sandwich years
During a sandwich year (e.g. year in industry, placement year or year abroad) a lower fee will apply.
Additional costs
Accommodation
We have a range of residences to suit your needs and budget.
Living costs
We're based in one of the UK's most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.