1. St Thomas More RC Academy Why choose Mathematics or Mathematics related degree? Careers Day July 1 st 2014 Phil Ansell, Jack Smith and Phil Boyle ©School of Mathematics & Statistics

2. Outline Introductions Mathematics and related degree programmes Course content Job opportunities Admission process and personal statements

3. Who we are (Dr Phil Ansell) Senior Lecturer in the School of Mathematics & Statistics at Newcastle University: Teach 1 st and 2 nd year courses in statistics and probability Teach 2 nd year statistics courses for psychology and Civil Engineering students Research: Drug Treatment Strategies, Queueing Systems, Analysis of Sports Data Admissions, Recruitment, Outreach

4. 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

5. What are your options? Many Universities offer: Mathematics Mathematics and Statistics Statistics Lots of Universities offer: MMath MMathStat

6. 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

7. Some University degrees where A-level Mathematics is important Accountancy Actuarial Studies Aeronautical Engineering ArchitectureBiochemistry BiologyBusiness Chemical Engineering ChemistryComputing DentistryDieteticsEconomics Electronic Engineering Environmental Science Geography Geology and Earth Sciences Management Materials Science Mathematics and Statistics Mechanical Engineering MedicineOptometryPharmacyPhysics PhysiotherapyPsychologySports ScienceSurveying Veterinary Science Red: Almost always necessary Orange: Sometimes necessary Green: Useful

8. 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!

9. 1 st 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,...

10. 2 nd 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,...

11. 3 rd Year (Newcastle University) Numerical and Computational Modelling Partial Differential Equations with Applications Introductory Fluids Relativity and Cosmology Instabilities 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 Education Bayesian Statistics Randomized Clinical Trials Discrete Stochastic Modelling

12. Degree Structure 4 year degree (MMath/MMathStat) 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd years are very similar to 3 year BSc 4 th 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

13. 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 2 nd year going into 3 rd – MMath – Applied

14. 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!

15. Jack Smith Future… Completely undecided! Graduate Schemes Aim to gain experience in as many areas as possible.

16. 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

17. Accountant Air Traffic Controller Crime Analysis Computer Game Designer Software Developer Consultant Government Statistics Aircraft Designer Risk Management LecturerActuary Cryptographer TeacherFurther Study... Job Opportunities

18. 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...

19. 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....

20. 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 pay1.15 x (0.8 x £100) Tax first : you pay0.8 x (1.15 x £100) Can we generalise?

21. 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

22. Phil Boyle A Level - Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry, Physics Top Modules - Cryptography, Randomized Clinical Trials, Quantum Mechanics 4 th Year Project - Pattern Formation in Superfluids Work Experience - Sellafield, University summer placement

23. Why Do Maths at Newcastle? Great course 4 th Year option Great city MathSoc Job opportunities

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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!

27. Choice of course School/college experience Work experience Outside school/college experience Concluding statement Structure Things to consider

28. 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!!