Undergraduate brochure - Royal Holloway, University of London

Degree optionsSingle HonoursG103 Mathematics MSci (four-year)G100 Mathematics BSc (three-year)Specialist DegreeG1G3 Mathematics with StatisticsMathematics as a Major Subject (75%)G1R1 Mathematics with FrenchG1R2 Mathematics with GermanG1R3 Mathematics with ItalianG1N2 Mathematics with ManagementG1V5 Mathematics with PhilosophyG1R4 Mathematics with SpanishJoint Degrees (50%)GG41 Computer Science & MathematicsLG11 Economics & MathematicsNG31 Finance & MathematicsGN12 Mathematics & ManagementGW13 Mathematics & MusicGFC3 Mathematics & Physics MSci (four-year)GF13 Mathematics & Physics BSc (three-year)Mathematics as a Minor Subject (25%)R1G1 French with MathematicsN2G1 Management with MathematicsMathematics is a subject that can be studied on its own, orfruitfully combined with a large variety of other academicsubjects. It is sometimes difficult to know which combinationto choose, and we provide as much flexibility as we can in theearly stages of our programmes. We give here a few words aboutvarious combinations that are possible at Royal Holloway. If youwould like further advice about any particular option, then doplease contact our Admissions Tutor.G100 Mathematics BSc (three-year)G103 Mathematics MSci (four-year)Mathematics is unique – at the same time it is both a beautifuland fascinating world of abstract structures and ideas and adown-to-earth, practical subject at the heart of modern scienceand technology. Much of its attraction comes from studying therelations between these aspects; for example an elegant theoremon complex functions also governs the lift on an aircraft wing,and apparently highly abstract algebraic results have importantconsequences in data security. Our degree courses aim to conveythe power, beauty and excitement of the subject.The MSci degree is primarily aimed at those who will continue touse Mathematics at a high level after graduation – for example incommerce, industry or research – while the BSc is aimed at thosewho will use mathematical skills in areas such as administration,management, accountancy and teaching. We realize that onentry, most students will not have decided on a career, so theBSc and the MSci programmes have a common first year, andthe choice between them is made at the start of the second year.Therefore it does not matter which degree you register for initially.G1G3 Mathematics with StatisticsIt was said of Florence Nightingale that ‘the study of statisticswas for her a religious duty’. She realized that to create and run anorganization efficiently, data on its operation must be collected andmade use of when making decisions. Today this view is universallyagreed, although the approach to decision-making is much moresophisticated. In fact, statistics is based on Mathematics, not onlybecause the data used are usually numerical, but because thefundamental concepts of probability theory are closely linked topure mathematics. Therefore, there is a great need for graduateswith a good understanding of Mathematics who can use statisticalmethods correctly, and this course aims to produce such graduates.G1N2 Mathematics with ManagementAll business organizations face problems which are basicallyquantitative, and managers must make decisions on, for example,the allocation or acquisition of resources. Over the last 50 years,mathematical techniques have been applied with great successto routine problems, leaving more time for managers to tacklemore difficult situations. Now, year by year, more powerful andsophisticated techniques are being introduced, so that messy,complicated, ill-posed managerial problems can be handled.Most managers do not have the mathematical backgroundto understand these techniques, while the consultants usedtoo often do not understand the background to the problems.The aim of these degree courses is to fill the gap and providegraduates with some understanding of business, as well as athorough grasp of the appropriate branches of Mathematics.G1R1 Mathematics with FrenchG1R2 Mathematics with GermanG1R3 Mathematics with ItalianG1R4 Mathematics with SpanishGalileo described the universe as a book written in themathematical language, and the concept of Mathematics as auniversal language is a powerful one. Like other languages, it canbe studied for its own sake, and also as a vehicle for transmittingideas. So it is logical to study Mathematics with a foreignlanguage – and this option also opens up a wide range of careers.These programmes combine most of the specialist MathematicsBSc degree with a study of the spoken and written appropriatelanguage. Note that these are three-year degrees and do notinclude a year abroad.G1V5 Mathematics with PhilosophyPhilosophy addresses fundamental questions about knowledge,reasoning, our view of the universe, and their impact onpeople’s lives. Many questions such as, ‘what is a number?’or, ‘is Mathematics discovered or invented?’ are basicallyphilosophical, and Greek philosophers introduced the idea ofapplying Mathematics to describing the universe. The philosophycourses in this programme include Greek and Roman Philosophy,Modern European Philosophy, and the Philosophy of Politics.8 Department of Mathematics