Mathematics

This is a Connected Degree
Portsmouth is the only University in the UK with the flexibility to choose when to do an optional paid placement or self-employed year. Either take a placement in your third year, or finish your studies first and complete a placement in your fourth year. You can decide if and when to take a placement after you've started your course.

Overview
Mathematics has shaped societies for thousands of years – from the Ancient Babylonians to the present day. Continue the tradition of unpicking complex mathematical problems that could help monitor the spread of disease, predict the route of a cloud of ash from a volcano and forecast climate change.

Study core mathematical topics including analysis, algebra, calculus, statistics, operational research and modelling. Then shape your degree to your ambitions and interests in following years, by specialising in advanced principles such as financial modelling, non-linear dynamics and cosmology.

When you graduate, you’ll be in high demand, especially in the expanding technology, data and machine learning industries.

Course highlights

• Delve into topics including deterministic chaos, partial differential equations, health research and abstract algebra

• Learn from expert researchers such as Dr. Michael Gnacik, who provided data visualisation for the University's Covid testing programme as member of the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation's Covid Response Team

• Develop coding skills in programming languages including Python

• Learn to use industry-standard mathematical, statistical and operational research software

• Apply your skills on optional work placements in the community, such as assisting math teachers in local schools

Careers and opportunities
Mathematics is more than just number crunching.

A degree in mathematics shows that you have the ability to think analytically and conveys an intellectual maturity that many employers look for when they hire staff.

The demand for mathematics graduates is increasing too. The Council for the Mathematical Sciences predicts more than 7 million people in the UK will need mathematical science skills in 2030 – an increase of 900,000 compared to 2009.

Our graduates now work in roles including:

• research analyst

• service reliability engineer

• accountant

• mathematics teacher

• credit risk analyst

• data scientist

• accounts payable clerk

• service reliability engineer

Our graduates have worked for companies such as:

• NATS (National Air Traffic Services)

• TSB

• Oakbrook Finance Ltd

• NHS

• Carnival UK

• The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association

• Portsmouth Grammar School

Placements (optional)
After your second year, you can do an optional work placement year to get valuable longer-term work experience in the industry.

A placement year gives you an advantage over other graduates who may understand theory but won't have the experience of applying their learning to a working environment. We’ll help you secure a work placement that fits your aspirations, and you’ll get mentoring and support throughout the year.

Previous students have taken placement roles such as:

• innovation and infrastructure specialist

• counter terrorism and security

• student research analyst

They've completed placements at organisations including:

• IBM

• Defence Science and Technology Laboratory

• British Telecom

Year 1

Core modules in this year include:

• Calculus I (20 credits)
• Computational Mathematics (20 credits)
• Linear Algebra (20 credits)
• Mathematical Foundations (20 credits)
• Mathematical Models (20 credits)
• Statistical Theory and Methods I (20 credits)

There are no optional modules in this year.

Year 2

Core modules in this year include:

• Applications of Mathematics and Graduate Skills (20 credits)
• Calculus II (20 credits)
• Real and Complex Analysis (20 credits)

Optional modules in this year currently include:

• Algebraic Structures & Discrete Mathematics (20 credits)
• Exchange Study Abroad - School of Mathematics and Physics (40 credits)
• Mathematical Methods for Machine Learning (20 credits)
• Mathematics for Finance (20 credits)
• Mechanics and Dynamics (20 credits)
• Operational Research (20 credits)
• Statistical Theory & Methods Ii (20 credits)
• Universe: Planetary Systems, Stars and Galaxies (20 credits)

Year 3

Core modules in this year are:

• Partial Differential Equations and Their Applications (20 credits)

Optional modules in this year currently are:

• Advanced Decision Modelling (20 credits)
• Financial Derivative Pricing (20 credits)
• Introduction to General Relativity and Cosmology (20 credits)
• Modern Astrophysics 1 (20 credits)
• Nonlinear Dynamics (20 credits)
• Project (20 credits)
• Quantitative Supply Chain Management (20 credits)
• Statistical Learning (20 credits)
• Statistics Methods in Health Research & Social Science (20 credits)
• Stochastic Processes (20 credits)
• Undergraduate Ambassador (20 credits)

There are no optional modules in this year.

Placement year (optional)

After your second or third year, you can do an optional work placement year to get valuable longer-term work experience in the industry. This gives you an advantage over other graduates who may understand theory but won't have the experience of applying their learning to a working environment

Previous students have been on placement with household names, including: IBM, L’Oréal, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Transport for London, Zurich and NATS. We’ll help you secure a work placement that fits your aspirations. You’ll get mentoring and support throughout the year.

We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.

Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry and some optional modules may not run every year. If a module doesn’t run, we’ll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

You’ll be assessed through:

• examinations
• written coursework
• multiple-choice tests
• presentations
• mini projects
• a major piece of supervised independent work

You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.

You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.

The way you’re assessed may depend on the modules you select. As a guide, students on this course last year were typically assessed as follows:

• Year 1 students: 65% by written exams and 35% by coursework
• Year 2 students: 58% by written exams and 42% by coursework
• Year 3 students: 68% by written exams, 2% by practical exams and 30% by coursework

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• Mathematics and its Applications, Institute of