St Thomas More RC Academy

Why choose Mathematics or Mathematics related degree?

Careers DayJuly 1st 2014

Phil Ansell, Jack Smith and Phil Boyle ©School of Mathematics & Statistics

Outline• Introductions

• Mathematics and related degree programmes

• Course content

• Job opportunities

• Admission process and personal statements

Who we are (Dr Phil Ansell)Senior Lecturer in the School of Mathematics & Statistics at Newcastle University:• Teach 1st and 2nd year courses in statistics and

probability• Teach 2nd year statistics courses for psychology and

Civil Engineering students• Research: Drug Treatment Strategies, Queueing

Systems, Analysis of Sports Data• Admissions, Recruitment, Outreach

Key message!

• Mathematics and Mathematics related graduates are:

• highly sought after by employers;• have high starting salaries on average;• can go into a wide variety of graduate jobs

What are your options?

Many Universities offer:• Mathematics• Mathematics and Statistics• Statistics

Lots of Universities offer:• MMath• MMathStat

What are your options?Also available are “with” degrees, e.g.

• Mathematics with Management• Financial Mathematics

Joint Honours in Mathematics and X, e.g. • Accounting, Computing, Economics, Psychology etc....

Other possibilities that could include some Mathematics, e.g.• Natural Sciences• Combined Honours/Studies• Physics

Some University degrees where A-level Mathematics is important

Accountancy Actuarial Studies

Aeronautical Engineering Architecture Biochemistry

Biology Business Chemical Engineering Chemistry Computing

Dentistry Dietetics Economics Electronic Engineering

Environmental Science

Geography Geology and Earth Sciences Management Materials

ScienceMathematics and Statistics

Mechanical Engineering Medicine Optometry Pharmacy Physics

Physiotherapy Psychology Sports Science Surveying Veterinary Science

Red: Almost always necessaryOrange: Sometimes necessaryGreen: Useful

What will you study?

• Most Mathematics and Statistics degree programmes contain:– Mathematical Methods– Pure Mathematics– Applied Mathematics– Statistics

• “with”, Joint Honours and Combined degrees take the same modules but fewer of them!

1st Year (Newcastle University)An overview of the first year modules (the ones in BOLD are compulsory):

Semester One Semester Two

Introduction to Calculus (15)Linear Algebra: Vectors and

Matrices (15)Sets and Counting (10)Problem Solving and

Computing I (10)Optimisation with Constraints*

(10)

Multivariable Calculus and Differential Equations (15)Probability and Statistics (15)Number Systems (10)Problem Solving and Computing II (10)Dynamics* (10)

* Can be replaced by modules from other Schools (subject to timetable):e.g. Accounting, Computing, Languages, Psychology, Economics, Biology, Business Management, Geography, Music, History, ...

2nd Year (Newcastle University)An overview of the second year modules (the ones in BOLD are compulsory):

Semester One Semester Two

Pure Mathematics (20)Applied Mathematics (10)Statistics (10)Computing (10)Key Skills and Career

Development* (10)

Pure Mathematics (10)Applied Mathematics (20)Statistics (20)Group Project* (10)

* Can be replaced by modules from other Schools (subject to timetable and appropriate skills being developed):e.g. Accounting, Computing, Languages, Psychology, Economics, Biology, Business Management, Geography, Music, History, ...

3rd Year (Newcastle University)Numerical and Computational

Modelling

Partial Differential Equations with

ApplicationsIntroductory Fluids Relativity and

CosmologyInstabilities and

Turbulence

Differential Equations,

Transform Methods & Fields

Electromagnetism

Geometries and Designs

Number Theory and Cryptography

Foundations of Group Theory Linear Analysis Topology

Stochastic Calculus and Applications Coding Theory Geometric Group

Theory

Applied Probability Statistical Modelling

Stochastic Financial Modelling

Time Series and Forecasting

Multivariate Data Analysis

Survival Analysis Mathematical EducationBayesian Statistics Randomized

Clinical TrialsDiscrete Stochastic

Modelling

Degree Structure4 year degree (MMath/MMathStat)

1st, 2nd and 3rd years are very similar to 3 year BSc4th year includes:

Advanced Modules Project (Dissertation, Poster and Presentation) Possibility to interact with world-leading researchers in

hot research topics!Examples of recent projects:

Modelling Magnetic Activity in the Sun Bayesian inference for ranking models applied to

Formula One data The Riemann Mapping Theorem

Jack Smith• A-levels : Maths, Further Maths, French (Music)

• Extra Curricular – Football, Guitar, Columbus Fellowship, Part Time Job

• Work Experience – Week at Scottish Widows Accounting, Audit, Actuarial, Finance

• 2nd year going into 3rd – MMath – Applied

Jack Smith

• Modules – Chaos, Bayesian Stats, Finance, Computing, Turbulence… so much variety

A-level to Degree • Tougher Work!• Independent – Work, Living, Waking Up…• So much fun!

Jack Smith

• Future… Completely undecided!

• Graduate Schemes

• Aim to gain experience in as many areas as possible.

Where is Maths and Stats used?

• Business and Management• Finance and Economics• Aerodynamics• Pharmaceuticals• Medicine• Logistics, Communication and Security• Energy production (wave and wind power)• Extreme weather events

Accountant

Air Traffic Controller

Crime Analysis

Computer Game Designer

Software Developer

Consultant

Government Statistics

Aircraft Designer

Risk Management Lecturer Actuary Cryptogra

pher

Teacher Further Study ...

Job Opportunities

But more importantly.....What you gain from a Maths & Stats degree:

Numerical Skills Problem Solving Skills

Presentation Skills

Experience of Team Work

Experience of Report Writing Analytical Skills Statistical Skills ...

Example

• In a warehouse you obtain a 20% discount but you must pay a 15% sales tax

• Question: Which would you prefer to have calculated first? Discount or Tax?

• Let’s try some examples....

Solution

• It looks like it doesn’t matter!• Can we explain it for all cases?

• A 20% discount is the same as paying 80% of it• Adding 15% is the same as paying 115% of it

• Discount first: you pay 1.15 x (0.8 x £100)• Tax first : you pay 0.8 x (1.15 x £100)

• Can we generalise?

Admissions at Newcastle University• The standard offer is AAA-AAB

• Further mathematics is not required, but of course is helpful! (less than 50% of our students have this)

• PARTNERS students may be given a lower offer with an additional requirement of completing the PARTNERS Summer School

• Offers for Joint Honours combinations are typically AAB and Combined Honours typically AAA-AAB

• Once you have your offer, we will invite you to a School Open Day, where you can find out more details about the degree programmes that we offer and you can talk to current students and staff. There is also a tour of the University and Newcastle. Parents are very welcome and have some separate sessions

Phil Boyle

• A Level - Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry, Physics

• Top Modules - Cryptography, Randomized Clinical Trials, Quantum Mechanics

• 4th Year Project - Pattern Formation in Superfluids

• Work Experience - Sellafield, University summer placement

Why Do Maths at Newcastle?

• Great course

• 4th Year option

• Great city

• MathSoc

• Job opportunities

Personal statements

When are they used?

• When making an offer or inviting for interview• As the basis for an interview or chat with

academic member of staff• After the A-level results have come out

Personal statements (Maths & Stats)Newcastle University:

• Personal statements help the discussion when students meet staff at Post-application Open Day

• Personal statement used after results have been published to help choose between “near-miss” candidates

Making a good impression

The personal statement is an opportunity for you to demonstrate:• Why you would be a good student for the

programme you are applying to • Why the university should select your

application over those of other candidates

A chance for you to sell yourself!

• Choice of course

• School/college experience

• Work experience

• Outside school/college experience

• Concluding statement

StructureThings to consider

Summary

• Mathematics and related degrees are excellent choice of degree programme

• Good career opportunities• Variety of degrees available – research the

options and entry requirements• Take care over your personal statement• Good luck!!