MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE

Postgraduate programme

MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE

Offered by UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD

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Programme overview

Why choose this programme?

This joint degree offers the opportunity to combine an appreciation of mathematical reasoning with an understanding of computing.

Mathematics is a fundamental intellectual tool in computing, but computing is increasingly used as a key component in mathematical problem-solving.

The course concentrates on areas where mathematics and computing are most relevant to each other, emphasising the bridges between theory and practice.

It offers opportunities for students to develop a deeper understanding of the mathematical foundations of their subject. The course helps students to acquire a familiarity with the mathematics of application areas where computers can solve otherwise intractable problems. It also gives mathematicians access to both a practical understanding of the use of computers and a deeper understanding of the limits on the use of computers in their own subject.
Unistats information

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This course gives training in logical thought and expression, and is a good preparation for many careers.

Some Mathematics and Computer Science graduates go on to further study. Other recent graduates have secured positions as software and hardware professionals, in research and in finance and investment analysis, and include a product controller for an international bank, an actuarial consultant and an accountant.

Modality

ON-CAMPUS: OXFORD

UCAS entry grades

A*AA

UCAS Tariff points

152 points

Entry requirements

- A-levels: A*AA (if Further Mathematics is taken, then including A*A between Mathematics and Further Mathematics otherwise including A* in Mathematics)

- Advanced Highers: AA/AAB

- International Baccalaureate (IB): 39 (including core points) with 766 at HL (the 7 must be in Higher Level Mathematics)

- BTEC: Please visit the Computer Science website for the latest information on our standard offers for students taking BTECs.

- Any other equivalent qualification: View information on other UK qualifications, and international qualifications.

Subject requirements

Essential:

- Candidates are expected to have Mathematics to A-level (A or A* grade), Advanced Higher (A grade), Higher Level in the IB (score 7) or another equivalent.
- Those taking Further Mathematics A-level or AS-level are required to achieve at least Grade A.

Recommended:

- Further Mathematics is highly recommended.

If a practical component forms part of any of your science A‐levels used to meet your offer, we expect you to pass it.

If English is not your first language you may also need to meet our English language requirements.

Dates and duration

Duration: 20 semana

3 years (BA) 4 years (MMathCompSci)

Career opportunities

Where this programme can take you


This course gives training in logical thought and expression, and is a good preparation for many careers.

Some Mathematics and Computer Science graduates go on to further study. Other recent graduates have secured positions as software and hardware professionals, in research and in finance and investment analysis, and include a product controller for an international bank, an actuarial consultant and an accountant.

SYLLABUS

A typical week

The typical weekly timetable for a student in Mathematics and Computer Science is similar to that for Computer Science or Mathematics.

Tutorials are usually 2-4 students with a tutor. Class sizes may vary depending on the options you choose. There would usually be around 8-15 students though classes for some of the more popular papers may be larger. Lectures may be up to 120 students.

As the course progresses there will be opportunity to undertake project work. There will be a group project in year two and, for those that choose to continue to year four, a large individual project or dissertation.

Throughout your time studying you will learn from leading maths and computer science specialists and researchers.

To find out more about how our teaching year is structured, visit our Academic Year page.

Course structure

Mathematics and Computer Science can be studied for three years, leading to the award of a BA degree, or for four years, leading to the award of Master of Mathematics and Computer Science (MMathCompSci).

Students do not need to choose between the three-year and four-year options when applying. All students apply for the four-year course, and then decide by the end of their third year whether they wish to continue to the fourth year. In order to proceed into the fourth year (part C), students will need to achieve a 2:1 or higher classification at the end of their third year. Year 1

1. Core Mathematics (50%)

- Analysis
- Continuous maths
- Groups and group actions
- Introduction to complex numbers
- Introduction to university maths
- Linear algebra
- Probability

2. Core Computer Science (50%)

- Design and analysis of algorithms
- Functional programming
- Introduction to proof systems
- Imperative programming

Year 2

1. Core Computer Science (25%)

- Algorithms and data structures
- Group design practical
- Models of computation

2. Core Mathematics (30%)

- Complex analysis
- Linear algebra
- Metric spaces

3. Options in Mathematics (20%)

- Numerical analysis
- Quantum theory
- Topology

4. Options in Computer Science (25%)

- Artificial Intelligence
- Computer architecture
- Computer graphics
- Databases
- Logic and proof
- Quantum information

Year 3

1. Mathematics, Options including:

- Commutative algebra
- Galois theory
- Graph theory
- Information theory
- Set theory
- Topology and groups
- Computer Science

2. Options including:

- Artificial Intelligence
- Computational complexity
- Computer-aided formal verification
- Computer graphics
- Computer security
- Geometric modelling
- Lambda calculus and types
- Machine learning
- Quantum information

Year 4

1. Mathematics Advanced options including:

- Algebraic geometry
- Analytic number theory
- Category theory
- Elliptic curves
- Lie groups
- Model theory
- Probabilistic combinatorics
- Computer Science

2. Advanced options including:

- Advanced security
- Automata, logic and games
- Categories, proofs and processes
- Concurrent algorithms and data structures
- Computational biology
- Computational game theory
- Computational learning theory
- Database systems implementation
- Foundation of self-programming agents
- Geometric deep learning
- Graph representational learning
- Probabilistic model checking
- Quantum software