Queen Mary, University of London Maths Undergraduate

Queen Mary, University of LondonSchool of Mathematical SciencesUndergraduate Studies

www.maths.qmul.ac.uk

The east LondonadvantageBarts and The London serves ahuge population of unrivalleddiversity in the east of London,but is also next door to the City ofLondon, one of the UK’s richestneighbourhoods. This means thatour medical and dental studentsencounter a huge range ofmedical conditions while buildingthe patient contact hours theyneed to become confident andcompetent professionals.

“East London and the widerThames Gateway offer ourmedical students the opportunityto observe a wide range ofdiseases – from diabetes,hypertension, heart disease,cancer, obesity, TB and evenmalnutrition. This is a uniquelearning environment for theirmedical training.”Cathy Baker, Head of GraduateEntry Programme in Medicine

2012 Olympics onour doorstepThe 2012 Olympics are takingplace very close to Queen Mary’sMile End campus, and ourWhitechapel and West Smithfieldcampuses are also not far away.Barts Hospital, the new RoyalLondon Hospital and ourassociated Trusts will providehealthcare for the Olympicathletes and the general publicduring the summer games. Thiswill be an exciting time to be inLondon.

Campus-basedBarts and The London is part ofQueen Mary, the only College ofthe University of London to offerextensive campus-based facilities.This promotes a sense ofcommunity and encourages anactive student life. All our firstyear medical and dental studentswho live a certain distance fromthe School are allocated places inresidences at the Whitechapel,Charterhouse Square and MileEnd campuses. East London alsooffers affordable privately-ownedaccommodation at a walkingdistance from our campuses. Seepage XX for more details aboutaccommodation.

State-of-the-artclinical facilitiesWe have modern state-of-the artbuildings alongside moretraditional teaching facilities suchas our fantastic library. The DentalSchool now contains a clinicalskills laboratory which closelysimulates the real clinical

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Contents

Introduction 2

Employability 6

Degree programmes 10

Modules descriptions 16

Student life, Students’ Union, student support and health services 26

Accommodation 28School of Mathematical SciencesEntry requirements 30

Living in London 32

Frequently asked questions 36

Next steps 40

Introduction

School of Mathematical Sciences 3

School of Mathematical Sciences at Queen Mary, University of London

Welcome As one of the largest mathematicsdepartments in the UK we offeryou the opportunity to studytopics from across the entire fieldof mathematics. From statisticsand probability to pure andapplied mathematics, ouracademics are internationallyrecognised for their work. As anundergraduate student you willbenefit from this work. In the mostrecent assessment of the qualityof research, Queen Mary wasranked 11th in the UK by theGuardian.

With excellent investment in staffand facilities, the School ofMathematical Sciences offers aneducation in an environmentfocused on student support. Wewant to equip our students withthe skills and abilities they need to be successful in their career.Alongside the Careers team weprovide our undergraduates withadvice directly from employers onhow to be successful in applyingfor a job on graduation. Theemployers we work with arediverse: from City banks andaccountancy firms to telecomscompanies and the Met Office.

We have a diverse undergraduatepopulation with at least 15 percent of our students coming fromother countries to study in the UK.Our students are active membersof the College and take part inmany clubs and societies. Theyalso support the work of theSchool of Mathematical Sciencesto encourage more students tostudy mathematics at A-level and

degree-level by becoming MathsAmbassadors.

If you have not yet had anopportunity to visit us on the MileEnd campus, we encourage youto do so. You can visit as part of a College-wide open day or on a more specific maths-relatedevent. Full details on opportunitiesto visit, see: www.maths.qmul.ac.uk

Professor Boris KhoruzhenkoHead of the School ofMathematical Sciences

Queen Mary to jointhe Russell GroupIn recognition of Queen Mary’slong-standing commitment toexcellence in research andteaching, we will be joining theRussell Group of leading UKuniversities in August 2012. TheGroup, which includes other topuniversities such as Oxford,Cambridge and UCL, attracts thebrightest students from all over theworld as well as almost two thirdsof available research funding in theUK. The exceptional standards ofresearch and teaching found atRussell Group universities meansthat their graduates are especiallyvalued by employers, giving you ahead start when you apply for jobs.

What ismathematics?Mathematics is a dynamic andexciting subject which isconstantly developing. It isn’t justabout carrying out calculations orremembering a collection of facts

and recipes; in reality, it is a verycreative subject and develops aparticular way of thinking andapproaching problems. It isintellectually challenging and verysatisfying to progress through thedifferent areas of mathematicsand gain an understanding. Bychoosing to study mathematics atuniversity you will find a subjectwhich gives you invaluabletransferable skills and knowledgewhich can be applied to manydifferent situations in the realworld. These skills are in demandby many employers and you willfind that there is no such thing asa typical job for mathematicalsciences graduates.

Why studymathematics?You may like studying for amathematics degree if you areperforming well in your currentmaths studies and are alsoenjoying it. If you get satisfactionfrom problem solving and canreason logically and articulatelybut perhaps are keen for achallenge beyond your currentstudy of the subject thenmathematics could be a suitablechoice for you.

With regards to the knowledge,skills and abilities you willgraduate with, a mathematicsdegree gives you:

• Excellent analytical abilities

• The ability to workindependently and manage your own time

School of Mathematical Sciences4

School of Mathematical Sciences at Queen Mary, University of London

• Highly developed numericalskills

• Effective communication skills(throughout your degree you willbe expected to write coherentlyand communicate your resultsto others)

• The ability to applymathematical modelling to thereal world by being able to takea real problem and simplify it

• Practical computational skills(mathematics students normallystudy some computing and usevarious IT packages for dataanalysis, for example).

Why studymathematicalsciences at Queen Mary?You can choose from a range ofdegree programmes, from puremathematics to combinations withbusiness, economics and finance.All of our programmes havedefined core modules which you are required to complete.However, you have the option inyour second and third year tochoose the subjects inmathematics that interest you the most.

As an undergraduate we offer acomprehensive support system.An academic member of staff isappointed as your academicadviser who will help you to selectyour modules and is also there toassist with any personal problemsyou may have whilst at university.In addition we have a Student

Support Officer within the Schoolwho works with undergraduatesand academic staff to ensure thatproblems are addressed to theappropriate areas, whether that isthrough the Advice andCounselling service or the Careersservice. There is always someonefor you to approach for help ifrequired.

On the academic side, weparticipate in the College’s PeerAssisted Study Support (PASS)scheme. Through this, our secondand third year students work withfirst year students to ease thetransition and help them with anyquestions they have about thecourse content. We have alsofound that this is a goodopportunity for first year studentsto get advice from the other yeargroups on module selection, asthey have been through theprocess already.

Teaching andassessmentOur modules are taught throughthe use of lectures and exerciseclasses. A lecture lasts for around50 minutes and the lecturerdelivers material using awhiteboard, blackboard orcomputer package. Students areeither asked to take their ownnotes or they are provided notesby the lecturer. In exerciseclasses, the lecturer andpostgraduate students are there tohelp you understand the materialthat was delivered in the lectures.Your progress is measuredthroughout your degree as you are

regularly set questions, which aremarked and returned withfeedback. This feedback isprovided so that if there were anyerrors, you understand where youwent wrong and will know how toapproach a similar problem infuture.

The academic year is split intotwo semesters, with four modulesbeing taken in each semester. Onaverage, for each module you willhave three hours of lectures perweek plus one hour in an exerciseclass. This means that you willhave at least 16 hours of contacttime. However, you are expectedto carry out at least the samenumber of hours in independentstudy. Between lectures andexercise classes, ourundergraduate students can befound working with their friends inthe Library or the Maths foyer.

At the end of the second semesteryou will sit exams for all of theeight modules you have taken inthat academic year. There may beone or two exceptions for moduleswhich involve project work. In thiscase you would submit anextended piece of work forassessment. These exams takeplace across a six week periodand are concluded in early June.

Employability


Employability

When you graduate with yourdegree you will have:

• Excellent analytical abilities

• The ability to work independently

• Highly developed numerical skills

• Effective communication skills

• The ability to apply mathematicalmodelling to the real world

• Practical computational skills.

These skills are in great demandby employers and you will have thepotential for high earnings in thecourse of your career. The averagestarting salary for a mathematicsgraduate is around £22,000 and ishigher than the average startingsalary for all subjects. Unlikegraduates in more vocationaldisciplines, mathematicians are not limited to one obvious area of employment. For example,mathematics graduates can befound in:

• Academic research

• Aerospace

• Biotechnology

• Business and Finance

• Chemicals

• Computing

• Construction

• Defence

• Electronics

• Energy

• Environment

• Health care

• Management

• Marketing

• Materials

• Pharmaceuticals

• Retail

• Teaching

• Transport

The Queen Mary Careers Service is available to help you with anycareer-related issue throughoutyour time at university. If you arenot sure what you want to do, adiscussion with a careers adviserwill help you to be clearer aboutyour options for work or furtherstudy, and our resources will helpyou to begin investigating thecareers open to graduates. TheCareers Service advertisesgraduate jobs as well as part-timeand vacation work:www.careers.qmul.ac.uk

Careers support forundergraduatesIn the School of MathematicalSciences we provide a programmeof careers events for ourundergraduates that runthroughout the academic year sothat you are well informed aboutwhat is available to you. We havehad sessions from the RoyalMeteorological Society onopportunities for mathematicians inmeteorology and from Statisticiansin Pharmaceuticals whohighlighted the variety of areas inthat industry wheremathematicians and statisticiansare vital. We work with a dedicatedmember of staff from the CareersService on these activities.

Student profileScott Davis, Mathematics with Statistics “One of the things I like about myprogramme is the variety of areas wecover: It’s not just pure maths, it’s alsoapplied maths which keeps thingsinteresting. On a scale of one to ten, the teaching would score an 11, thelecturers are fantastic. They arepassionate and enthusiastic about their fields. My favourite module wasLinear Algebra I as the lecturer waspassionate and funny. He made thesubject genuinely enjoyable. Hisenthusiasm made me look forward tohis lectures. The academic and studyfacilities would score a nine. A lot ofthe buildings are being renovated atthe moment which means that thingswill get even better.”

For more on what our studentsthink, visit our YouTube channel:www.youtube.com/MathsQMUL


Employability

Previous events have also includedspeed meets with employers andpanel sessions with employersgiving advice on how to make asuccessful application in theirindustry. Alumni regularly return to take part in such events.

The Careers service runsworkshops including, how to findwork experience and be successfulin interviews. These regular eventsare backed up with information onour website and in our careersbrochure: Careers Guidance for Mathematical SciencesUndergraduates and in the Where the maths you learn isused booklet which puts yourlearning in the context of differentareas of work, from business andfinance to the space industry. Youcan download this as a PDF fromwww.maths.qmul.ac.uk/for-schools-colleges/maths-resources

Some examples of the jobs ourrecent graduates have gone on to include:

• Actuary

• Accountant

• Catastrophe Modelling Analyst

• Corporate Banker

• Data Analyst

• Teacher

• Pharmaceutical Statistician

• Research Analyst

• Statistician

• Share Dealer

• Trader

You can find out more informationon career opportunities as well asfurther study from our careers guide.

Download this at: www.maths.qmul.ac.uk/ps/up/careers

Studied: BSc Mathematics, Statistics and Finance,graduated 2007

Currently: I am working as a Commercial Managerin the UK Corporate Banking division at the RoyalBank of Scotland/NatWest Group. I joined the Bankon a talent programme in September 2007, threemonths after my graduation. In my current role I

look after the banking of commercial customers based in Central London whoseturnover is in the region of £1m-£25m. The scheme only took 80 peoplenationwide, and I was one of 12 candidates to be successful for the CentralLondon region.

Why did you choose Queen Mary? I chose Queen Mary due to its standing as a topuniversity. For Mathematics and Economics it is one of the best places to learn anddevelop analytical skills.

What did you gain from your time at Queen Mary? Queen Mary tested my abilityto think and provided me with a platform from which to build a solid career in thefinancial capital of the world. The University of London name had a lot of weightwhen it came to the interview stage, and I firmly believe that I was successful inmy application due to the skills I honed whilst at Queen Mary. The Careers Servicewas also exceptionally helpful when it came to submitting applications for jobs,and the mock interviews and advice I received were invaluable.

What are your career plans in the next five years? I hope to become a seniorRelationship Manager looking after a portfolio of clients whose businessesturnover in the region of £25m+, continue to build my network of professionalcontacts and take on line management duties.

Graduate profileNimesh Sanghrajka

A number of our graduates choosesome form of further study. Manychoose to combine work and studywhen training to be an Accountant,whilst others choose to complete aPGCE so that they can go on intoteaching. Another option that ourgraduates take is to complete aMasters degree or PhD in topicssuch as Applied Mathematics, ITor Financial Mathematics forexample.

Degree programmes


Degree programmes

Mathematics G100 BSc/Math (three years)

Programme description You will study a wide range oftopics covering pure, discrete,decision and appliedmathematics, probability andstatistics. The exceptionally broadrange of second and final-yearoptions reflects our researchstrengths. The first year coversessential fundamentals, thereforeyou are required to take all of thecore modules. In second andthird year your choices increaseand you have a free choice offinal-year modules. Whether youare interested in specialising instatistics, finance, pure or appliedmathematics or mathematicalphysics, our wide range ofmodules will provide theopportunity.

Programme outline Year 1 Essential MathematicalSkills • Calculus I and II •Geometry I • Introduction toMathematical Computing •Introduction to Algebra •Introduction to Probability •Introduction to Statistics •Mathematical Structures

Year 2 Linear Algebra I Optionsinclude: Algebraic Structures I •Calculus III • Complex Variables •Convergence and Continuity •Differential and Integral Analysis •Differential Equations • Dynamicsof Physical Systems • Geometry II:Knots and Modelling •Introduction to NumericalComputing • Mathematical Writing

Probability Models • StatisticalMethods • Statistical Modelling I

Year 3 Options include: ActuarialMathematics • Chaos andFractals • Coding Theory •Combinatorics • Communicatingand Teaching Mathematics •Complex Networks • Cryptography• Introduction to MathematicalFinance • Further Topics inMathematical Finance •Mathematical Problem Solving •Number Theory • Linear AlgebraII • Random Processes •Relativity • Third Year Project

Pure Mathematics G110 BSc/PMat (three years)

Programme description In this degree programme you will experience the pursuit ofmathematics for its own sake andthe focus is not necessarily onapplications. You will concentrateon algebra, geometry and analysis,

building on A-level core anddecision mathematics. For over 50 years Queen Mary has beenrenowned for research in algebra,combinatorics and logic, and weare one of the few highereducation institutions to offer aprogramme in pure mathematics.You may benefit from ourEuropean research links, whichprovide the possibility of studyingfor a year in another European city.See www.qmul.ac.uk/internationalfor information on opportunities tostudy abroad.



Degree programmes

Year 2 Algebraic Structures I •Complex Variables • Convergenceand Continuity • Differential andIntegral Analysis • Linear AlgebraI • Options include: DifferentialEquations • Geometry II: Knotsand Modelling • ProbabilityModels

Year 3 Options include: AlgebraicStructures II • Chaos and Fractals• Coding Theory • Combinatorics• Communicating and TeachingMathematics • Complex Analysis• Cryptography • Linear Algebra II• Mathematical Problem Solving •Metric Spaces • Third YearProject

Mathematics and Statistics GG31 BSc/MatSta (three years)

Programme description This degree programme offers youthe opportunity to specialise instatistics. It builds statisticaltheory and methodology onmathematical foundations,especially probability theory.Probabilistic modelling hasapplications in genetics, quantumphysics and risk analysis, and isincreasingly used in the financialsector. You can study applicationsof probability and statistics,notably design of experiments,financial time series and actuarialmathematics. This programme isaccredited by the Royal StatisticalSociety and final year studentsreceive free membership of theRSS. In addition, this entitlesgraduates who achieve a first- orsecond-class degree, and who

have completed enough statisticsmodules, to Graduate Statisticianstatus.


Year 2 Linear Algebra I •Statistical Methods • StatisticalModelling I • Options include:Calculus III • Complex Variables •Convergence and Continuity •Differential and Integral Analysis •Differential Equations • Dynamicsof Physical Systems • GeometryII: Knots and Modelling •Introduction to NumericalComputing • MathematicalWriting • Probability Models

Year 3 Statistical Modelling II •Statistical Theory • OptionsInclude: Actuarial Mathematics •Bayesian Statistics •Computational Statistics • Designof Experiments • Oscillations,Waves and Patterns • Time Series• Topics in Probability andStochastic Processes • Third YearProject

Mathematics with BusinessManagement G1N1 BSc/MatBM (three years)

Programme description This degree programme contains

a basic core of mainstreammathematics, statistics andbusiness management modules.You will combine six mathematicsor statistics modules with twobusiness management moduleseach year. In the second and finalyears, you have considerableflexibility in your choice ofmathematics modules. Statistics is used widely in business andmanagement for informativedecision-making, and you canspecialise in advanced statisticsand probability, computing andbusiness management.

Programme outline Year 1 Essential MathematicalSkills • Calculus I and II •Economics for Business •Fundamentals of Management •Geometry I • Introduction toProbability • Introduction toStatistics • MathematicalStructures

Year 2 Financial Accounting •Introduction to Algebra • LinearAlgebra I • Marketing • Optionsinclude: Calculus III • ComplexVariables • Differential Equations• Dynamics of Physical Systems •Probability Models • StatisticalModelling I

Year 3 Management of HumanResources • Strategy • StatisticalTheory or Oscillations, Waves and Patterns • Options include:Actuarial Mathematics •Advanced Statistics Project •Entrepreneurship and Innovation• Introduction to MathematicalFinance • Further Topics inMathematical Finance • ThirdYear Project


Mathematics,BusinessManagement and Finance GN13 BSc/MBMF (three years)

Programme description This degree programme bringstogether basic training inmathematics and statistics with aselection of modules in business,management, finance, accountingand economics. You will combinesix mathematics and statisticsmodules with two businessmanagement and financemodules in your first year. Insubsequent years the mix is fivemathematics and statisticsmodules and three businessmanagement and financemodules. Mathematics isextremely important in thebusiness and finance sector andby completing this degreeprogramme you will havemathematical knowledge andskills backed up with awarenessof how the sector operates.

Programme outline Year 1 Essential MathematicalSkills • Calculus I and II •Economics for Business •Fundamentals of Management •Geometry I • MathematicalStructures • Introduction toProbability • Introduction toStatistics

Year 2 Financial Accounting •Linear Algebra I • Marketing •Managerial Accounting •Statistical Modelling I •

Statistical Methods • Optionsinclude: • Differential Equations •Introduction to Algebra •Probability Models

Year 3 Actuarial Mathematics •Financial Management •Introduction to MathematicalFinance • Management of HumanResources • Strategy • OptionsInclude: Communicating andTeaching Mathematics •Entrepreneurship and Innovation• Further Topics in MathematicalFinance • Random Processes •Statistical Modelling II • StatisticalTheory • Time Series • Third YearProject

Mathematics,Statistics andFinancial Economics GL11 BSc/MatSFE (three years)

Programme description This is a joint programme with the School of Economics andFinance. The behavior of theLondon Stock Exchange, and even the economy of the UnitedKingdom can be analysed usingmathematics. The first year consistsof five modules of mathematics andstatistics and three modules ofeconomics; the second yearincludes at least four modules ofmathematics and statistics andthree modules of economics; andthe final year includes at least twomodules of mathematics andstatistics and three modules ofeconomics. Mathematics andEconomics are complementarysubjects and during the course of

your studies you will discover andbe able to exploit the many linksbetween them.

Programme outline Year 1 Essential MathematicalSkills • Calculus I and II •Economics Principles • GeometryI • Introduction to Probability •Introduction to Statistics •Mathematical Structures •Microeconomics I

Year 2 Capital Markets I • Gamesand Strategies • Linear Algebra I •Macroeconomics I •Microeconomics II • ProbabilityModels • Statistical Modelling I •Statistical Methods • Optionsinclude: Differential Equations •Introduction to Algebra

Year 3 Corporate Finance I •Financial Markets and Institutions• Statistical Theory • OptionsInclude: Corporate Finance II •Design of Experiments • Futuresand Options • Random Processes• Statistical Modelling II • TimeSeries • Third Year Project

Mathematics with Finance and Accounting G1N4 BSc/MWFA (three years)

Programme description You will incorporate mathematicaland statistical training withfinance and accounting, includinggeneral financial theory and itsapplications to business andcommerce. The first year consistsof six modules of mathematicsand statistics and two modules of


Degree programmes

finance and accounting, and thereare three finance and accountingmodules in the second year.Overall, about two thirds of yourmodules will be in mathematicsand statistics, and the other thirdin finance and accounting.

Programme outline Year 1 Essential MathematicalSkills • Calculus I and II •Economics for Business •Financial Accounting • Geometry I• Introduction to Probability •Introduction to Statistics •Mathematical Structures

Year 2 Financial Institutions •Linear Algebra I • ManagerialAccounting • Statistical ModellingI • Statistical Methods • Optionsinclude: Calculus III • ComplexVariables • Differential Equations• Introduction to Algebra •Probability Models

Year 3 Actuarial Mathematics •Financial Management •Introduction to MathematicalFinance • Statistical Theory •Options include: Design ofExperiments • Further Topics inMathematical Finance • RandomProcesses • Statistical Modelling II• Time Series • Third Year Project

MathematicsMathematics with Statistics G102 MSci/Mat (four years) G1G3 MSci/MatSt (four years)

Programme description The MSci programmes include afinal year consisting of a projectand advanced modules from theSchool of Mathematical Sciences’MSc programmes. G102 is anextension of G100 (BScMathematics) and G110 (BScPure Mathematics). G1G3 is anextension of GG31 (BScMathematics and Statistics) and issimilarly accredited by the RoyalStatistical Society. It may bepreferable for you to choose the

MSci qualification if you areinterested in using yourmathematical skills at a high levelin your career, or perhaps if youare looking to progress into aresearch career on graduation.


Year 2 Convergence & Continuity• Linear Algebra • Choose two of:Calculus III • Dynamics ofPhysical Systems • MathematicalWriting • Probability Models •Statistical Methods • Choose four


of: Algebraic Structures I •Complex Variables • Differential &Integral Analysis • Geometry II:Knots and Surfaces • Introductionto Numerical Computing •Statistical Modelling I • DifferentialEquations

Year 3 Choose six modules from:Algebraic Structures II • CodingTheory • Chaos & Fractals •Complex Analysis • Combinatorics

• Cryptography • Metric Spaces •Mathematical Problem Solving •Relativity • Number Theory •Linear Algebra II • Oscillations •Waves & Patterns • StatisticalTheory • Random Processes •Complex Networks

Choose another two modules.

Year 4 MSci Project Optionsinclude: Advanced Combinatorics

• Advanced Cosmology • AppliedStatistics • Bayesian Statistics •Complex Systems •Computational Statistics •Dynamical Systems • ExtremalCombinatorics • Further Topics inAlgebra • Group Theory •Mathematical Statistics • MeasureTheory and Probability • Topics inProbability and Stochastic •Processes • Topology

Moduledescriptions


Module descriptions

This section contains a selectionof our modules and includes coremodules for the different degreeprogrammes. However, note thatthere are more option modulesavailable and for specifiedprogrammes, some Year 1modules can be taken in Year 2.Full details can be found onwww.maths.qmul.ac.uk

Year 1

Calculus I & IICalculus I develops the conceptsand techniques of differentiatingand integrating with supportingwork on algebra, coordinatetransformations and curvesketching. Calculus II in thesecond semester then introducesinfinite series including powerseries, and develops techniquesof differential and integral calculusin the multivariate setting.

Geometry IProperties of two- and threedimensional space turn up almosteverywhere in mathematics. Forexample, vectors represent pointsin space, equations describeshapes in space andtransformations move shapesaround in spaces; a fruitful idea isto classify transformations by thepoints and shapes that they leavefixed. Most mathematicians like tobe able to ‘see’ in special termswhy something is true, rather thansimply relying on formulas. Thismodel ties together the mostuseful notions from geometry –which give the meaning of theformulas – with the algebra thatgives the methods of calculation.

It is an introductory moduleassuming nothing beyond thecommon core of A-levelmathematics or equivalent.

Introduction to MathematicalComputingIn this module you will learn howto use Maple to do mathematicscovered at A-level and in the firstsemester. You will be introducedto programming concepts and willuse Maple’s worksheet interfaceand other packages as appropriate.

Introduction to AlgebraThis module builds on the basicnotions of algebra introduced inMathematical Structures, such as sets, numbers, matrices,polynomials and permutations. It not only introduces the topics,but shows how they formexamples of abstractmathematical structures such asgroups, rings and fields, and howalgebra can be developed on anaxiomatic foundation. Thus, thenotions of definition, theorem andproof, example and counter-example are described. Themodule is an introduction to later modules in algebra.

Introduction to ProbabilityThis is the first course inprobability, covering events andrandom variables. It introducesthe basic notions of probabilitytheory and develops them to thestage where one can begin to useprobabilistic ideas in statisticalinference and modelling, and thestudy of stochastic processes. Thefirst section deals with events, theaxioms of probability, conditional

probability and independence.The second introduces randomvariables both discrete andcontinuous, includingdistributions, expectation andvariance. Joint distributions arecovered briefly.

Introduction to StatisticsThis first module in statisticsintroduces the fundamental ideasof classical statistics. It coversdescriptive statistics, theestimation of population momentsusing data and the basic ideas ofstatistical inference, hypothesistesting and interval estimation.

Mathematical StructuresThis module is intended tointroduce students to theconcerns of mathematics, namelyclear and accurate exposition andconvincing proofs. It will attemptto instill the habit of being"precise but not pedantic". The course covers an informalaccount of sets, functions, andrelations, and a sketch of thenumber systems (naturalnumbers, integers, rational, realand complex numbers), outliningtheir construction and mainproperties.

Economics for Business (G1N1,G1N4, GN13)This module explains how firms,consumers and governmentinteract in markets and howbusiness decision-making isshaped by internal factors such as costs and by external marketconditions. The module examinesthe main concepts of economictheory and explores the


Module descriptions

importance of these within abusiness context, with emphasison the applicability of economictheory to an understanding of theinternal dynamics of businessorganisations.

Fundamentals of Management(G1N1, GN13)This module aims to provide an introduction to businessmanagement and administration.It offers an understanding of theexternal and internal businessenvironment, the differentcontexts of business, an analysisof markets and issues withinbusiness management. Theapproach is informative but alsoseeks to provoke discussion andreflection and the desire toexplore this area in depth. Thismodule serves as a general

introduction to the structure and functioning of businessorganisations. The internal andexternal environments of businessare examined with particularemphasis on political, economic,sociological, technical, legal andethical issues.

Economics Principles (GL11)This module will be anintroduction to economicreasoning and analysis. No priorknowledge of economics isnecessary. The module will coverstandard topics such as: demand,supply and price in consumer andlabour markets; returns to education, the New Deal;competitive equilibrium:optimality; trade; market power;price discrimination, oligopoly,government policy; externalitiesand the environment; public

goods, taxes and free-riding;globalisation; and growth.

Microeconomics I (GL11)This module will cover:introduction to microeconomicmodelling; elementary theory of markets; consumer theory:preferences, budgets anddemand; expected utility theoryand inter-temporal choice.

Financial Accounting (G1N1,G1N4, GN13)This course introduces you to andexplores the purpose, nature andoperation of the FinancialAccounting function withinbusinesses, particularly limitedliability companies in the UK. Itreveals, illustrates and exploreshow the financial accountingsystems operate when tasked with measuring and recording the


financial value of the transactions,events and activities of abusiness. In so doing, it examinesthe nature and scope of financialaccounting and the underlyingconceptual framework ofaccounting conventions andstandards. It further looks at theratio analysis and associatedinterpretation of publishedfinancial statements from theperspectives of a range ofdiffering users of financialaccounting information.

Year 2

Algebraic StructuresThe modern axiomatic approachto mathematics is demonstratedin the study of the fundamentaltheory of abstract algebraicstructures: group theory,subgroups, generators, andLagrange’s theorem. We also look at normal sub-groups,homomorphisms, andisomorphism theorems, as well as ring theory, integral domains,ideals, homomorphisms andisomorphism theorems,polynomial rings, Euclideanalgorithm and fields of fractions.

Linear Algebra IThis is a rigorous first module in linear algebra. The ideasintroduced in Geometry I for two-and three-dimensional space willbe developed and extended in amore general setting with a viewto applications in subsequentpure and applied mathematics,probability and statistics modules.There will be a strong geometricemphasis in the presentation of

the material and the key conceptswill be illustrated by examplesfrom various branches ofmathematics.

Complex VariablesThis module covers the integraland differential properties offunctions of a complex variable. In addition, students will alsocover complex differentiation,Cauchy-Riemann equations,harmonic functions, sequencesand series, Taylor and Laurentseries, singularities and residues,among others.

Convergence and ContinuityThis module introduces some ofthe mathematical theory behindCalculus. It answers questionssuch as: What properties of thereal numbers we rely on inCalculus? What does it mean tosay that a series converges to alimit? Are there kinds of functionthat are guaranteed to have amaximum value? The module is a first introduction, with manyexamples, to the beautiful andimportant branch of puremathematics known as Analysis.

Differential and Integral Analysis This module provides a rigorousbasis for differential and integralcalculus, ie the theory behinddifferentiation and integrationrather than their applications. The module will include some full proofs.

Differential EquationsThis is an applied calculusmodule, which follows on fromCalculus II and Linear Algebra I.

Statistical MethodsThis module develops some of theideas first introduced inIntroduction to Statistics. It beginsby covering some of the essentialtheoretical notions required, suchas covariance, correlation andindependence of randomvariables. The majority of thematerial covers different types ofstatistical tests: how to use themand when to use them. Thismaterial is essential forapplications of statistics inpsychology, the life or physicalsciences, business or economics.It is also required for further studyof statistics.

Statistical Modelling IThis is a first module on linearmodels and it concentrates onmodelling the relationshipbetween a continuous responsevariable and one or morecontinuous explanatory variables.Linear models are very widelyused in almost every field ofbusiness, economics, science andindustry where quantitative dataare collected. They are also thebasis for several more advancedstatistical techniques coveredlater. This module is concernedwith both the theory andapplications of linear models andcovers problems of estimation,inference and interpretation.Graphical methods for modelchecking will be discussed andvarious model selection techniques

Module descriptions

introduced. Computer practicalsessions, in which the Minitabstatistical package is used toperform the necessarycomputations and on which thecontinuous assessment is based,form an integral part of the module.

Financial Accounting (G1N1,G1N4, GN13)This module introduces you toand explores the purpose, natureand operation of the financialaccounting function withinbusinesses, particularly limitedliability companies in the UK. Itreveals, illustrates and exploreshow the financial accountingsystems operate when tasked with measuring and recording thefinancial value of the transactions,events and activities of abusiness. In so doing, it examinesthe nature and scope of financialaccounting and the underlyingconceptual framework ofaccounting conventions andstandards. It further looks at theratio analysis and associatedinterpretation of publishedfinancial statements from theperspectives of a range ofdiffering users of financialaccounting information.Accordingly, the module seeks to equip you with the knowledge,understanding and skills to enableyou to identify and record thefinancial value of businesstransactions, events and activities,and to generate financialinformation through theconstruction of balance sheets,income statements (profitstatements) and cash flowstatements, and through the use of financial ratios.

Marketing (G1N1, GN13)An introduction to marketing,analysing the components whichinfluence marketing decisions atthe level of the firm and theprocess by which thesecomponents are used to developstrategies.

Capital Markets I (GL11)This module is an introductorymodule in financial economicsand it aims to develop anunderstanding of the foundationsof modern portfolio theory. Topicsto be covered include: risk andreturn, risk preferences and assetallocation, portfolio optimisationand its equilibrium implications,index models, CAPM, multifactormodels, the efficient markethypothesis, behavioural finance,empirical evidence on securitypricing, bond prices and yields,term structure of interest rates,and bond portfolios.

Games and Strategies (GL11)This module provides anintroduction to game theory, aframework for studying situationsof strategic interdependence. Youwill be shown how to describesuch situations formally, how toanalyse them using concepts ofdominance and equilibrium, andhow the theory can be applied toquestions arising in various socialsciences.

Macroeconomics I (GL11)The module is an introduction tomacroeconomics. It addresseshow goods, labour and financialmarkets interact to determineaggregate output, employment,

interest rates and the price level.The topics covered include:definitions and measurement ofaggregate variables, equilibriumon each market in isolation(partial equilibrium) and on allmarkets (general equilibrium)both in the short and in themedium run, the impact of fiscaland monetary policy on aggregatevariables.

Microeconomics II (GL11)Topics covered include producertheory (technology, cost functions,profit maximisation, firm supply,monopoly); general equilibriumand exchange; welfare economics(theorems, externalities andpublic goods, surplus); and anintroduction to asymmetricinformation.

Probability ModelsThis module develops some of the ideas first introduced inIntroduction to Probability. It willcover five main topics: how tocompute probabilities andexpectations by a process calledconditioning; random walks andother discrete branchingprocesses; continuous methods of conditioning; continuousprobability models such asPoisson processes; and some very useful limit theorems. The material is important forapplications in financial andactuarial mathematics, in thephysical and life sciences, and for more advanced probabilitymodules.



Financial InstitutionsThis module examines thefunction, characteristics andoperation of various financialinstitutions, including deposit-taking and non-deposit-takinginstitutions. You will examine thenature and characteristics of theirproducts and services in differentmarkets, for example in bond,equity, foreign exchange derivativeor equity markets. In addition youwill also explore why financialcrises emerge in the operation ofthese markets.

Managerial Accounting (GN13,G1N4)This is an intensive one semestermodule in managerial accounting.It examines how costs areidentified and measured andexplores differing views of thenature and definition of cost.Such considerations are importantwhen managers are seeking tomake decisions relating to costdetermination, cost management,pricing, budgets and budgetarycontrol, standard costing, andinvestment appraisal. Theseareas, together with aspects suchas marginal and incrementalcosting and cost of capital and

risk, are reflected within theconsiderations. The resultantfinancial information is placed inthe context of the complexities ofthe business and economicenvironments of the world asmanagers seek to make to makeappropriate decisions.

Mathematical WritingThis module teaches the languageof higher mathematics, and howto use it with precision andfluency in a variety of contexts.For raw material, it calls on themathematics developed in the firstyear, which you will see from amore mature perspective. The


Module descriptions

module also develops someelements of logic that serve as thebasis for an analysis of the maintechniques used in mathematicalproofs. You will get a lot ofpractice and feedback throughthe coursework.

Introduction to NumericalComputingThis module investigates the useof computer algebra, numericaltechniques and computergraphics as tools for developingthe understanding and thesolution of a number of problemsin the mathematical sciences.Topics that will be addressed willinclude linear algebra, the solutionof algebraic equations, thegeneration and use of quadraturerules and the numerical solutionof differential equations and, timepermitting, some other aspects ofcomputational mathematics. Thecomputer language used isMaple.

Year 3

Oscillations, Waves and PatternsWaves and vibrations are presentin almost all physical systems,from the vibrations in strings tothe waves of the oceans andatmosphere. Waves and patternsare also seen in chemical andliving systems. This module is anintroduction to the mathematicaltheory of waves, dealing with thesolution of differential equationsdescribing, for example, vibrationson strings and waves in fluids.Elementary ideas about non-linearwaves, such as shock formation,are described. The material is

illustrated with applications from awide variety of different systems.

Management of HumanResources (G1N1, GN13)The module will introduce you tothe key processes concerned withthe management of people withinorganisations. It will reveal thechoices that managers are facedwith when designing systems toregulate and control the use ofhuman resources. It will assessthe problems and difficulties withmanaging people and explore thevariation in practice acrossdifferent organisations.

StrategyThis module employs five strategiccategories to introduce students tothe historical and theoreticalfoundations of contemporarystrategy. Those five categories arethe future, regulation, growth,leadership, and choice.

Statistical TheoryThe theory developed will be usedto justify the methods introducedin Introduction to Statistics andwill be used to analyse data froma variety of applications. Themodule will cover estimation,methods of estimation, confidenceintervals, and testing.

Actuarial MathematicsThis module gives an introductionto the mathematics of lifeassurance. You will learn to valuecash flows and use life tables formaking predictions and analysingmortality patterns. This leads onto the valuation of life annuitiesand of the benefits paid in life

assurance policies. Various lifeassurance products will beexplained and then used forillustration of the basic principlesof life assurance.

Financial Management (G1N4)Relationship between the financialmanager and the capital markets;investment appraisal, single andmulti-period capital rationing, andrisk analysis; capital asset pricingmodel; types of sources of financeand their characteristics; efficientmarkets hypothesis; dividendgrowth model and businessvaluation; weighted average cost of capital; issues in capitalstructure and financial gearing.

Introduction to MathematicalFinanceThis module provides anintroduction to the ideas ofmathematical finance. It usesconcepts from analysis,differential equations andprobability to develop thetechniques and language of mathematical finance.

Further Topics in MathematicalFinanceThis module develops the ideasdiscussed in Introduction toMathematical Finance. As in theformer module, concepts fromanalysis, differential equations,probability and, to some extent,statistics are used to developfurther the techniques andlanguage of mathematical finance.The difference is that in thismodule these techniques areused at a more advanced level.


Corporate Finance I (GL11)This module aims to develop anunderstanding of how firms maketheir investment decisions andhow they design their capitalstructure. In the first part of themodule we review the mainprinciples of capital budgeting,the process whereby firmsevaluate investment projects. Inthe second part we study howfirms raise external funds. We firstassume that the firm's cash flowsare exogenous with respect tofinancial decisions; in thisframework we study theModigliani Miller theorems statingwhich conditions make capitalstructure irrelevant, and derive the optimal debt/equity mix in the presence of taxes and costlybankruptcy. We then address the issue of how a firm's capitalstructure affects its value onceinformation problems betweenfirm insiders and financiers aretaken into account. Finally weanalyse how control rightallocation and corporategovernment affect a firm's valueand its access to external finance.

Financial Markets and Institutions (GL11) This module covers the basiceconomic principles underlyingthe working of national andinternational financial institutions.It introduces the basic theory andoperation of financial systemsfrom an economist's viewpoint.The stress is on financialinstruments, markets in whichthey are traded, and attendantstructures. You are expected tolearn to apply an economics

perspective to the study offinancial assets and institutions,and to form a coherent view of the disparate variables in financialactivity, markets, and theirgovernance as well as tounderstand these in the context of the current financial crisis.

Chaos and FractalsThe main aims are twofold: toillustrate how simple deterministicdynamical systems are capable ofextremely complicated or chaoticbehaviour; to make contact with

real systems by considering anumber of physically motivatedexamples and defining some ofthe tools employed to studychaotic systems in practice.

CombinatoricsCombinatorics involves reasoningabout 'discrete' structures,particularly finite sets of objectswhere there are links orrelationships among the objects.The module is largely concernedwith concepts and theory, but thisis a subject that has manypractical applications.


Computational StatisticsThis module introduces modernmethods of statistical inference for small samples, which usecomputational methods ofanalysis, rather than asymptotictheory. Some of these methodssuch as permutation tests andbootstrapping, are now usedregularly in modern business,finance and science.

Communicating and TeachingMathematicsThis module allows you to gainvaluable transferable skills whileexploring the teaching professionfirst hand by working with ateacher in a local school. The keyskills gained includecommunication and presentationof mathematics, team-working,active listening, time managementand prioritisation. The module willbe supported by regular classesand assessed by a combination of written reports and an oralpresentation.

CryptographyCryptography is fundamental tocommercial life; in particular, theprinciples of public-keycryptography were a majorintellectual achievement of thelast century. The module will giveyou a detailed understanding ofthe subject.

Time SeriesA time series is a collection ofobservations made sequentially,usually in time. This kind of dataarises in a large number ofdisciplines ranging fromeconomics and business to

astrophysics and biology. Thismodule introduces the theory,methods and applications ofanalysing time series data.

Year 4

Advanced CombinatoricsThis module builds on thecombinatorial ideas of themodules. Combinatorics andExtremal Combinatorics andintroduces some of the moreadvanced tools for solvingcombinatorial and graph theoreticproblems. Significant emphasiswill be on the techniques as wellas the results proved.

Advanced CosmologyCosmology is a rapidly developingsubject that is the focus of aconsiderable research effortworldwide. It is the attempt tounderstand the present state ofthe universe as a whole andthereby shed light on its originand ultimate fate. Why is theuniverse structured today in theway that it is, how did it developinto its current form and what willhappen to it in the future? Theaim of this module is to addressthese and related questions fromboth the observational andtheoretical perspectives. Themodule does not require specialistastronomical knowledge and doesnot assume any priorunderstanding of general relativity.

Applied StatisticsThis module incorporates a largenumber of genuine applications ofstatistics presented by a series ofdifferent lecturers. In this way you

can build a picture of the diverseapplications of the field ofstatistics.

Bayesian StatisticsThe module aims to introduce youto the Bayesian paradigm. Themodule will show you some of the problems with frequentiststatistical methods, show you thatthe Bayesian paradigm provides aunified approach to problems ofstatistical inference andprediction, enable you to makeBayesian inferences in a variety ofproblems, and illustrate the use ofBayesian methods in real-lifeexamples.

Complex SystemsComplex systems can be definedas systems involving manycoupled units whose collectivebehaviour is more than the sum of the behaviour of each unit.Examples of such systems includecoupled dynamical systems,fluids, transport or biologicalnetworks, interacting particlesystems, etc. The aim of thismodule is to introduce you to anumber of mathematical tools andmodels used to study complexsystems and to explain themathematical meaning of keyconcepts of complexity science.

Dynamical SystemsA dynamical system is any systemwhich evolves over time accordingto some pre-determined rule. Thegoal of dynamical systems theoryis to understand this evolution.For example: fix your favouritefunction f from the unit interval to itself (for example cos(x)); now


choose some point x(0) in theinterval, and define x(1)=f(x),x(2)=f(f(x)), etc (i.e. x(n) is theresult of applying the function f tothe point x(0) n times). How doesthe sequence of points x(n)behave as n tends to infinity? How does this behaviour changeif we choose a different initialpoint x(0)? What if we investigatea system which evolvescontinuously over time?Dynamical systems theory seeksto answer such questions. Themore interesting systems are the''chaotic'' ones, where varying theinitial point x(0) leads to verydifferent behaviour of thesequence x(n).

Further Topics in AlgebraThis module provides exposure toadvanced techniques in algebra.Algebra encompasses familiarobjects such as integers, fields,polynomial rings and matrices andhas applications throughoutmathematics including togeometry, number theory andtopology. The module willcomplement earlier algebramodules and will cover topicseither in commutative or non-commutative algebra. Includedwill be basic definitions andtheorems in either case, normallywith rings or fields as a startingpoint.

TopologyTopology is the study of propertiesof shape which remain the samewhen pulled, pushed or squeezedby a continuous process ofdeformation. For example, theproperty of a space beingconnected or a surface having ahole is a topological property. Inthis module we start with generalpoint set topology and formaldefinitions and move on to studypowerful algebraic invariants suchas the fundamental group.Topology allows access to manyexciting areas of modernmathematics.

Student life – Students’ Union,student support and health services


Student life – Students’ Union, student support and health services

Students’ Union All Queen Mary studentsautomatically become members ofQMSU, an active and flourishingStudents’ Union run by studentsfor students. Best known for itsclubs and societies, there areliterally hundreds to choose from,whether your interests lie infootball or philately. And if youhave a passion that isn’trepresented, you can always startyour own club. Clubs and societiesprovide a great opportunity formeeting people, especially thosewho are studying a differentsubject to you. One of the aims ofQMSU is to ensure that your timeat university is not just about work,but also includes socialising andpersonal development.

QMotion QMotion is Queen Mary’s recentlyrefurbished Health and Fitnesscentre. Equipped with a greatrange of exercise machines andweights, there’s also a women onlyarea and loads of classes includingyoga, spinning and Pilates. There’sa squash court and sports hall oncampus, and a swimming pool ashort distance away.

Sports Playing sports is a good way torelax after a day spent studying.Queen Mary teams regularlycompete against other collegeteams, and there’s a great socialscene with after-match drinks anda regular social night, Hail Mary,hosted by one of the SU’s sportsteams. There’s even a team ofcheerleaders, the Queen MaryAngels!

QM Provide: Volunteering Volunteering with charities andnon-profit organisations is abrilliant way to explore whatLondon has to offer, make adifference and really get involvedin your local area.

You can volunteer on a regularbasis in a placement with a localcharity or organisation, doinganything from mentoring localschool kids, to volunteering inlocal hospitals, to becoming ahelpline volunteer and managinga local sports team. See: www.providevolunteering.org

Student support You will be assigned an academicadviser when you start at QueenMary, and the same adviser willstay with you throughout yourstudies. Your adviser will help youchoose which modules to take(some programmes offer greaterflexibility when it comes to modulechoices), sign any forms you needand help you with any academic orpersonal problems that you have.

Many students find it extremelyhelpful to have one adviser onhand throughout their time atQueen Mary.

Health services All the services are provided for all students and staff living in the London Borough of TowerHamlets. In order to access theseservices and other availableservices under the NHS, you needto register with the Globe Townsurgery at the Student HealthCentre at the beginning of term.Students living outside TowerHamlets can be treated oncampus in the event of an urgent medical situation.

For more information see:www.globetown.org/qmu/

Advice and counselling Our advice service offers in-depthand specialist advice on a rangeof financial, practical and legalissues, such as student finance,housing rights, immigration lawand international student issues.Counselling is also available –from cognitive behaviouraltherapy, ongoing weekly therapygroups and support groups onspecific issues such as anxiety,academic performance. Ouradvice and counseling service is acompletely free and confidentialservice.

For more information see:www.welfare.qmul.ac.uk

Accommodation

‘‘


Accommodation

Queen Mary’s Student Villageincorporates 2,000 rooms oncampus, all provided in self-catered houses, flats andmaisonettes. All rooms in theVillage have a bathroom en-suite,and you’ll share a kitchen.

If you are a single full-time first-year undergraduate, apply duringthe normal admissions cycle, andhave not lived in Queen Mary’shousing before, you may beeligible for accommodation oncampus. Priority is given to thoseapplying by the deadline of 30June of the year of entry, andthose who live furthest away. Thisoffer does not extend to studentswho join through the Clearingprocess or those holding insuranceoffers with Queen Mary, althoughevery attempt is made toaccommodate them, subject toavailability.

If you live close enough to theCollege to commute, you willnormally be expected to live athome until rooms becomeavailable after term begins, onceall those students who cannotcommute are housed. Once youhave firmly accepted your offer tostudy at Queen Mary, full details onhow to apply for College housingwill be sent to you by theAdmissions Office.

Queen Mary students also haveaccess to places in the fully-catered Intercollegiate Halls incentral London, which are ownedcentrally by the University ofLondon.

Another option is a house share.There are a number of privately let houses in the area suitable forgroups of students to share. Theresidences office can put you intouch with local landlords, as wellas groups of students who arelooking for extra people to makeup numbers.

For more information, see:www.residences.qmul.ac.uk

‘‘You feel like you belong a bit more, living on campus. The place ispacked with people all doing the same thing, unloading their cars at the beginning of term. It’s really sociable.Jen Holton

‘‘

‘‘I had a beautiful canal view frommy room. I just can’t believe this is student accommodation – it’svery airy, bright, fresh and clean.Fariah Khan

School of Mathematical SciencesEntry requirements


School of Mathematical SciencesEntry requirements

A/AS-levels

BTEC Level 3Diploma(120 credits)

Acceptability: Acceptable only when combined with GCE A-level maths.Subjects and grades required: Overall UCAS points total and A-level maths grade as forA/AS-levels. Additional information: You must also have at least grade C in GCSE English language, or equivalent.

BTEC Level 3ExtendedDiploma (180 credits)

Acceptability: Acceptable only when combined with GCE A-level maths. Subjects and grades required: Overall UCAS points total and A-level maths grade as for A/AS-levels.Additional information: You must also have at least grade C in GCSE English language, or equivalent.

InternationalBaccalaureate

Acceptability: Acceptable on its own or combined with other qualifications.Subjects and grades required: 36 points total including Higher Level mathematics at grade 7.

EuropeanBaccalaureate

Acceptability: Acceptable on its own or combined with other qualifications. Subjects and grades required: 80 per cent average including 80 per cent in Higher (5-hour) maths.

Access to HEDiploma

Credits required: Distinction in at least 18 credits of mathematics at level 3 and meritin at least another 27 credits at level 3.Additional information: Mathematics based course.This is not accepted for entry onto GL11. Recognised by the Quality Assurance Agency for HE

European andinternationalqualifications

Otherqualifications

The College accepts a wide range of EU and international qualifications, includingselected international foundation programmes. For further information please contact the Admissions Office, or visit: www.qmul.ac.uk/international/countries

The College welcomes applications from those holding qualifications not listed above. Staff in the Admissions Office will be happy to advise you as to the acceptability ofyour qualification.

Tariff/Grades requirement: BSc programmes: 340 points including grade A in A-levelmathematics for most BSc programmes. However, if you have a grade B in A-levelfurther mathematics, then we will accept a grade B in A-level mathematics. For GL11we require AAB at A-level • MSci programmes: 360 points including grade A in A-levelmathematics Additional information: The UCAS points should be obtained from three A-levels, or twoA-levels and two AS-levels. • General studies may be included in the points total ifaccompanied by at least two other A-levels • you must also have at least grade C inGCSE English language, or equivalent.

Vocational orapplied A-levels

Up to two vocational A-levels may be offered, or one double award, but applicantsmust also offer GCE A-level maths. Overall UCAS points total and A-level maths gradeas above.

Progression, Advanced or Extended (level-3) Diplomas are acceptable for allprogrammes except GL11 when combined with or including A-level maths. OverallUCAS points total and A-level maths grade as above.

Additional information: You must also have at least grade C in GCSE English language,or equivalent.

Living in London


A world-famous cityand the nation’scapital, London is an exciting place tolive. If you’re new to the city, you’re in for a treat; and if you’ve lived herebefore, then you’llknow there’s alwaysmore to explore.Either way, student life inLondon promises to be an adventure.

With eight million residents,London is up there with Tokyoand NYC in terms of sheer size.Yet rather than a single city,London is actually a patchwork of different areas – many of themformer villages in their own right.Many retain their own centres,with a parade of shops, bars andrestaurants that reflects its ownparticular and historic character.

Depending on your mood, theoccasion and the kind of placeyou are looking for, you can make this diversity work to youradvantage – there’s alwayssomewhere that will suit yourmood, budget, and the kind ofoccasion you are looking for.

Queen Mary’s main campus is atMile End, well connected to therest of the city by tube. Mile End(Central line) and Stepney Green(Hammersmith and City, andDistrict lines) are both a shortwalk away.

Living in London

‘‘‘‘Why, Sir, you find no man, at allintellectual, who is willing to leaveLondon. No, Sir, when a man istired of London, he is tired of life;for there is in London all that lifecan afford.Samuel Johnson


Living in London

1 Old Street, and surrounding EAT… Yelo, on Hoxton Square(Thai food) Shish, an upmarketkebab restaurant.VISIT… White Cube2 Gallery. This area is the epicentre of theEast End’s artistic community. SHOP… The Hoxton Boutique. The Sunday Flower Market atColumbia Road is legendaryamongst Londoners.

2 Shoreditch, and Brick LaneEAT… Brick Lane is London’s‘Curry Capital’– an entire streetlined with Indian and Bangladeshirestaurants. Brick Lane Beigel Bake, open 24-hours (greatfor bagel emergencies).VISIT… The Old Truman Brewery,a converted brewery and home tonumerous fashion designers,artists and DJs.

3 Bow WharfThe complex includes: The FatCat Café Bar; The Thai Room;and Jongleurs Comedy Club,which, as well as the comedy, has a bar and restaurant pluspost-comedy disco on Friday and Saturday nights.

4 Docklands, andCanary WharfEAT… Ubon by Nobu (the sisterrestaurant to the West Endfavourite of the stars), or Carluccio’s, an Italian chainserving exceptional food.Wagamama in the Jubilee PlaceMall. Bene Bene, which offers ahuge selection of seriously cheapsandwiches, salads, bagels anddesserts.VISIT… The Museum of London,Docklands, which explores thestory of the docks from Romansettlement through to recentregeneration.


5 Bethnal Green,and Victoria ParkEAT… E Pellici, on Bethnal GreenRoad, an Italian greasy spooncafé which has been aroundsince 1900. Nando’s, HackneyVillage for a range of otherrestaurants and cafes, includingFrocks, Mojo’s and Déjà Vu.VISIT… Modern Art and VilmaGold galleries on Vyner Street, just north of Bethnal Green.

6 Mile End, andsurrounding areaEAT… with Mile End’s big range ofeating places, our students nevergo hungry, whatever their culinaryskills. Wetherspoon's pub, offeringthe ‘cheap and cheerful’ deals.The Morgan Arms, a bit more ofan up-market pub. The GoldenBird (Chinese), The Pride of Asia(Indian), Matsu (Japanese)restaurants, if you like to eat yourway around the world. Roastarscoffee shop, for a small caffeinebuzz at the start of the day.

VISIT… Mile End Park, 90 acresof greenery in the heart of theEast End where you’ll find anecology park; an arts park; and a terraced garden and a sportspark. The Mile End Stadium,includes an eight lane athleticstrack, artificial hockey/footballpitches and grass football pitches.The Genesis Cinema, go onWednesday night for a studentdiscount. The WhitechapelGallery: famous for exhibitions by big name artists.

Pub9426_MATHS_UG_2013 v3_Layout 1 01/06/2012 09:29 Page 35

Frequently asked questions



How is theacademic yearstructured?The academic year at QueenMary, University of London is split into two semesters. In eachsemester you will take fourmodules. Each module willtypically require you to attendthree lectures per week and therewill be exercise classes associatedwith it also. The exercise classesare an excellent chance for you to work more closely with thelecturer and postgraduatestudents. It is important that youprepare for these sessions asthere may not always be enoughtime to work through everything in the class time.

Which modules will I take?The modules you take depend onwhich degree programme you arestudying, and within most degreesthere is considerable choice fromthe second year onwards. In thefirst year, all single honoursstudents take modules coveringcalculus, geometry, algebra,differential equations,computational mathematics,probability and statistics. Insubsequent years you will havesome options and you can tailoryour timetable to your specificinterests. You will be guided inyour choices by an Adviser who isa member of academic staff. Youwill meet them at the beginning ofeach semester to discuss your

programme of modules and againduring the semester to discussyour progress.

How are themodules assessed?Modules are assessed primarily byformal written examination at theend of the academic year (80 percent of the final mark). There isalso normally a component of in-module assessment bycoursework (10 per cent) and amid-term test (10 per cent). Allmodules count towards your finaldegree classification but those inlater years are given more weight.

Are there anyscholarshipsavailable?If you are a home/UK student and achieve higher than AAA (orequivalent) you may be awardedan Excellence Scholarship of£3,000 per year of study. Fulldetails are available online. Enter the term “ExcellenceScholarships” into our search:www.qmul.ac.uk

For international students, thereare Excellence Awards available of a £1,500 fee reduction if youmeet the entry requirements or ifyou exceed AAA (or equivalent)you could be awarded a £4,000deduction. Full details areavailable on our website:www.qmul.ac.uk/international/scholarships/

Will I qualify for any professionalexemptions?The Actuarial Profession hasagreed to award exemption fromCT3 to students who achieve anaverage examination mark of 60%or higher on the three modules:Statistical Modelling I, ProbabilityModels and Statistical Methods.

It is possible to take these threemodules in all our degreeprogrammes, although in somecases you must select youroptions appropriately, but this willbe done in partnership with youracademic adviser. We hope to addfurther exemptions shortly.

Who can I go to for help?No matter what the problem is,your Adviser is there to help you.Whether it’s academic, financial,medical or something else, youshould discuss it with yourAdviser as soon as it arises. Theyare in the best position to adviseyou on any problems you mayhave, and can refer you to theappropriate person within theCollege. We also have a PastoralTutor who takes responsibility fornon-academic matters concerningstudents. They will liaise withAdvisers and the Health,Counselling and Welfare services,as appropriate. In terms ofacademic support, we have aPeer Assisted Study Support(PASS) programme, whichinvolves second and third year



mathematical sciences studentsleading study groups which willhelp you study and prepare forexams. This can be a veryeffective way of studying as youcan benefit from the experience of your peers.

Can I live on-campus?We have over 2,000 roomsavailable as part of our StudentVillage for students, some ofwhich are en-suite. However, we cannot guarantee youaccommodation, therefore pleaseapply as soon as you haveaccepted your offer from us. Ofcourse, if you don’t get a room on campus then you can ask ourResidences office for advice onwhere to look in the area. Formore information on ouraccommodation please visit:www.residences.qmul.ac.uk

What is there to doon campus?There are a number of leisure and entertainment facilities oncampus. The newly refurbishedDrapers Bar offers everything fromfood, coffees and smoothiesduring the day to a first-classentertainment venue at night,playing host to London’s top DJs.Also, at our new state-of-the-artHealth and Fitness Centre you willbe able to enjoy reasonably pricedgym membership and fitnessclasses. You can find moreinformation about the facilitiesavailable to you on the Students’Union website: www.qmsu.org

What kind ofactivities can I getinvolved in outsidemy degree course?We have a number of studentsocieties ranging from sports (egrugby, football, basketball) tocommon interest (eg volunteering,poker, chocolate). Wednesdayafternoons are traditionallyreserved for these types ofactivities. In Freshers’ Week youwill be able to find out whatsocieties are on offer and whatexactly they do. You can findinformation on our societies at the Students’ Union website:www.qmsu.org

Can I arrange a visit?Applicants will be invited to attendone of our Visit Days, whichprovide an opportunity to see theCollege campus and meet bothstaff and students. You can alsoattend either our Open Day inApril or Campus Visit Day inSeptember. However, if you can’tmake these then you can alwaysarrange a campus tour. For fulldetails on all of these events andto find out how to book a campustour visit: www.qmul.ac.uk/visitus

We also have maths-specificevents running throughout theyear. Full details on our website:www.maths.qmul.ac.uk/schools

Next steps


Next steps

Visit usWe run a range of activitiesthroughout the academic year togive you an opportunity to visit theSchool of Mathematical Sciencesto experience life as anundergraduate first hand. Theseinclude taster days and a weeklong summer school. Visitwww.maths.qmul.ac.uk/schools for full details.

In addition to the School activities,the College has two open dayseach year: one in June and asecond in September. If you areunable to visit us at any of thesetimes then you can book acampus tour. Information can be found online atwww.qmul.ac.uk/visitus

Applying to Queen Mary For all full-time higher educationprogrammes at universities andcolleges in the UK, students mustapply online at: www.ucas.com

You’ll find full instructions to helpyou fill in your online application,plus help text where appropriate.UCAS also has a comprehensiveguide called Applying Online,which can be downloaded fromthe website (www.ucas.com).

You can also visit our QM:Insightpages which offers guidance onapplying to universitywww.qmul.ac.uk/qminsight

There are three types of applicant:

1 Students at a school or collegeregistered with UCAS

All UK schools and colleges (andmany establishments overseas)are registered with UCAS tomanage their students’applications. Advice is availablefrom your teacher or a careersadviser at your school or college.You fill in an online applicationand submit it to a member ofstaff.

After checking your details, and having added the academicreference, your school or collegesubmits the completed applicationonline to UCAS. You pay onlineusing a credit card or debit card.You may also be able to paythrough your school or college.

2 Independent applicants in the UK

Other UK applicants, who are notat school or college, apply onlineindependently. It is likely that youare a mature applicant, who,unlike school and collegestudents, cannot readily seekadvice from your teacher, but can instead consult with variouscareers organisations (such asConnexions).

You are responsible for paying the correct application fee, forobtaining and attaching theacademic reference and forsubmitting the completedapplication online to UCAS.

3 International applicants outsidethe UK (EU and worldwide)

Except for those whose school orcollege is registered with UCAS,individuals from the EU (excludingthe UK), and worldwide, applyonline independently. Advice isavailable from British Counciloffices and other centresoverseas, such as your school orcollege or one of our overseasrepresentatives.

You will find a step-by-step guideto applying at:www.qmul.ac.uk/international/howtoapply/index.htm

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‘‘It’s really important to go to theUniversity to visit and talk tostudents about what it’s like tostudy thereDaniel Pena-Marquez Mathematics student

School of Mathematical Sciences Queen Mary, University of London Mile End Road London E1 4NSTel: +44 (0)207 882 5470 Fax: +44 (0)207 882 7684email: [email protected]

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Queen Mary, University of London Maths Undergraduate