Our modular programme can offer different combinations of modules to different students, and we welcome students who would like to try one or two modules to build up confidence before embarking on the whole programme.
We welcome students in employment who wish to study part time, those who are preparing to return to employment, and those who have recently graduated. Some modules are ideal for adoption by companies within a staff development programme.
Employers are welcome to make contact with the department to negotiate the design of particular modules to meet their needs.
Why study Mathematics at Chester?
We recognise that many graduates have studied Mathematics; some as a Single Honours subject, but others within a BA or BSc Combined Honours degree. Alternatively, students of physics, chemistry or engineering study significant areas of mathematics, as do some students of psychology, economics and other degrees.
This modular programme is designed to cater for the needs of all these graduates, and to provide a route suited to their own professional education and training needs. Many combined subjects or joint honours graduates (including University of Chester graduates) find this MSc programme ideally suited to their needs.
Features:
- The focus of the programme is on Computational Applied Mathematics, a specialism in demand by employers.
- Modules are regularly offered in the evening to cater for those studying while working full time.
- Students can test their confidence through studying individual modules before determining a longer term plan.
- Flexibility: Part-time students have ownership of their rate of progress through the modules (subject to the maximum time allowed to complete the qualification).
The Department of Mathematics was rated "excellent" by subject reviewers from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education who praised:
- the design and content of the curricula
- the well-designed teaching, learning and assessment
- the high quality of teaching and learning
- the quality of feedback to students
- the student guidance and support
- the excellent relationships between students and staff
- the links of research with teaching
Programme Structure:
The department can offer a wide choice of modules, although only a limited number are on offer at any given time. Students choose modules from among those currently available through lecture courses, and those which involve tutorially-supported independent study and/or project work.
The focus of the research work within the department is on numerical analysis, computational mathematics and the novel application of computer software tools to the solution of mathematical problems, especially those relating to mathematical biology. We anticipate that research projects leading to the award of MSc Mathematics will normally fall within these areas.
While some modules focus on developing further mathematical theory, others focus on industrial and commercial applications. Modules are regularly offered in the evening to cater for those studying while working full time. Other modules are available in the daytime to suit the needs of those wishing to accelerate their studies, those not currently in employment (perhaps with school-age or pre-school children), and those wishing to complete the programme in little over a year.
The main advantage of this programme structure is that students may enrol on the programme first, and commit to the final award when they are ready to do so. Many students test their confidence through studying individual modules before determining a longer term plan.
Modules:
Below are some of our most popular module choices:
- Mathematical Modelling
- Differential Equations and their Applications
- Integral Equations
- ICT for Mathematics Research
- Numerical Linear Algebra
- Functional Analysis
- Calculus of Variations
- Classical Newtonian Mechanics
- Difference Equations
- Delay Differential Equations and Dynamical Systems
For students interested in statistics, we offer:
- Statistical Methodologies in Applied Research
Assessment will be through a combination of coursework and examination.
Typical career destinations for Chester's Mathematics Graduates include:
- Accountancy
- Actuarial work
- Commerce and industry
- Management and Administration
- Financial Services
- Research
Further Study:
The Department of Mathematics regularly has part-time and full-time PhD students working towards research degrees. Students who have successfully completed the MSc programme, and others interested in embarking on a programme of research, are encouraged to contact the programme leader to discuss topics and possible sources of funding.
Candidates would normally be expected to hold a Mathematics-related first degree (minimum of lower second class honours). However, candidates are usually interviewed prior to acceptance on the course. At the interview we will be looking at your previous experience in Mathematics, to ensure that you:
- have the necessary knowledge, confidence and competence to succeed in the programme of study chosen
- are going to benefit from the programme of modules chosen.
