Demanding but rewarding

If you are fascinated by mathematics and relish solving difficult problems, Cambridge could be the right place for you. The Mathematical Tripos here is the most demanding undergraduate mathematics course available in Britain and correspondingly one of the most rewarding. It is also one of the largest – with an intake of about 250 students each year – and the oldest.

Our reputation as a leading international centre for mathematics dates back to the time of Sir Isaac Newton, probably the greatest mathematician and physicist of all time, who was Lucasian Professor from 1669 to 1696. Since then, mathematics in Cambridge – both research and teaching – has been enhanced by a string of brilliant mathematicians including five Nobel Prize winners and seven Fields Medallists (a Fields Medal is the mathematical equivalent of a Nobel Prize). Three centuries after Newton, Cambridge is still at the forefront of mathematical knowledge. Most of the Faculty members are leading authorities on their subjects, and the current Lucasian Professor is the distinguished cosmologist Stephen Hawking.

Our Faculty is also closely linked with the Isaac Newton Institute in Cambridge. This research institute attracts specialists from all over the world to tackle the outstanding problems in the mathematical sciences. It was here that Andrew Wiles chose to announce his proof of Fermat’s Last Theorem.

The excitement of research at Cambridge is reflected in our teaching programme. We know that our students are among the best in the country so we provide a challenging course, aiming to ensure that they exploit the benefits of this cutting-edge environment.

We are not the only ones who value our students highly. A Mathematics degree, especially a Cambridge Mathematics degree, is versatile and very marketable. The demand for our mathematicians is high, not only in the academic world, but also in business, commerce and industry. Whether you think you might be one of the 45 per cent of our students who go on to take a higher degree, or whether you are looking for a career in the financial sector or in another field altogether, the knowledge, skills and expertise you’ll develop here will prove invaluable.

What are we looking for?

The most important requirement is a lively interest in mathematics so that you can take full advantage of all that Mathematics at Cambridge has to offer.

Although our course does not assume any knowledge of mathematics beyond the A level common core, we regard as essential an experience of mathematics equivalent to AS level Further Mathematics either at your school or through one of the distance learning programmes currently available.

Statistics or computing or even mechanics are not essential: you can start all these subjects from scratch when you get here. However, there is a large component of theoretical physics in the course, so you will find it helps to take mechanics modules at GCE A level. Physics GCE A level is also useful.

More specific details of the entrance requirements and procedures are given in the Guide to Admissions in Mathematics fact sheet which you can obtain from the Faculty of Mathematics office or website.

From mathematical logic to black holes: a course that suits you

Two aspects of the Mathematical Tripos that our students appreciate greatly are its flexibility and the exceptionally wide range of subjects offered. An unusual feature is that the workload is not fixed. Each year you can choose the number of courses you study to suit your own work pattern. Some students like to take as many courses as they can; others like to take a smaller number and study them very thoroughly.

How you will be taught

During your first year ( Part IA), you will have 12 lectures each week and, normally, two supervisions. In the following years, the greater choice and flexibility means that the pattern of lectures and supervisions is more irregular, but the average load is roughly the same.

The Mathematical Tripos is a tough course but you will receive lots of support from members of staff, and the libraries and IT facilities are superb. Our other facilities are also excellent: the Faculty of Mathematics occupies the magnificent purpose-built Centre for Mathematical Sciences, a short walk or bike ride from the city centre.

Flexibility: a choice of course

Year 1 (Part IA)

There are three options:

• Option (a) Pure and Applied Mathematics, for students intending to continue with Mathematics
• Option (b) Mathematics with Computer Science (under review)
• Option (c) Mathematics with Physics

Options (b) and (c) are intended for students with a strong interest in mathematics who may want to change to Computer Science or Physics after the first year. You can continue with Mathematics after taking Options (b) or (c), or change to Computer Science or Physics after taking Option (a), but this may involve extra work over the long vacation.

Year 2 (Part IB)

You choose from a range of courses, bearing in mind your probable third-year subjects.

Year 3 (Part II)

You choose from a very wide range of courses according to your personal interests. There are two types of course which are different in style:

• One type gives the opportunity to learn more about a subject without being held up by detailed proofs and derivations.
• The other type is more systematic and rigorous, and provides a basis for a further course in mathematics or theoretical physics, such as Part III.

Year 4 (Part III)

The optional fourth year, Part III of the Tripos, is famous throughout the mathematical world. This graduate course, leading to the Certificate of Advanced Study in Mathematics, serves as a preliminary to research in mathematics or theoretical physics, and fourth-year Cambridge students are joined by a similar number of students from many countries worldwide.

Changing Tripos

About 10 per cent of students change from Mathematics each year. Many of these take the Mathematics with Computer Science or Mathematics with Physics options in their first year, with the intention of changing to Computer Science or Physics. Over the years, mathematicians have changed successfully to nearly every other subject taught at Cambridge. However, it is inadvisable to apply for Mathematics intending to transfer to a subject other than Physics or Computer Science.

Examinations

All the undergraduate courses, except for the second- and third-year computing projects are assessed by three-hour written examinations. Continuous assessment of your work is provided by your supervisors, but does not count towards your degree.

Why mathematics?

Mathematics is core to most modern day science, technology and business. When you turn on a computer, or use a mobile phone, you are using sophisticated technology that mathematics has played a fundamental role in developing. Unravelling the human genome or modelling the financial market relies on mathematics.

As well as playing a major role in the physical and life sciences and in such disciplines as economics and psychology, mathematics has its own attraction and beauty. Mathematics is flourishing: more research has been published in the last 20 years than in the previous 200 years, and celebrated mathematical problems that had defeated strenuous attempts to settle them have recently been solved. The breadth and relevance of mathematics leads to a wide choice of potential careers.

All of our degrees give you a high-level qualification for a career or further training involving mathematics. They all include a core of basic mathematical knowledge designed to ensure that you are highly numerate and able to think logically and quantitatively. The range of programmes we offer allows you to enhance the interest and value of your degree in many ways.

The two main programmes are a three-year BSc or a four-year MMath. There are also programmes that involve spending a quarter of your study on a minor subject. The MMath programme gives you the opportunity to study mathematics in greater depth, ideal if you intend to go on to a career where advanced mathematical skills are important, such as mathematical modelling in finance or industry, advanced level teaching or postgraduate research.

We recognise that new students have a range of mathematical backgrounds and that the transition from A level to university level study can be challenging, so we have designed our first-term courses to ease this. Although university modes of teaching place more emphasis on independent learning, you will have access to a wide range of tutorial support. Student advisors are also available to offer you excellent advice on personal and financial issues.

At Sussex we develop your understanding of the structures and techniques of mathematics. You will learn to make effective use of mathematical techniques in mathematical modelling and applied problem solving across a range of settings. We aim to provide you with a balanced academic experience, which combines the acquisition of specialist knowledge with the development of transferable skills.

What sort of career could I have?

There is a strong demand in business, medicine, government and the academic world for mathematicians. A recent survey showed that those students with a mathematical degree had the highest employment rate of any subject apart from medicine and dentistry. Employers value numeracy, clarity of thought and the capacity for logical argument that the study of mathematics develops, so a degree in mathematics will give you great flexibility in career choice.

Sussex graduates have a proven employment record in a wide range of careers including software development, actuarial work, financial consultancy, publishing, scientific research and development, teaching, accountancy, information security and academia.

How will I learn?

Teaching and learning is by a combination of lectures, workshops, lab sessions and independent study. All courses are supported by small-group teaching in which you can discuss topics raised in lectures. We emphasise the ‘doing’ of mathematics as it cannot be passively learnt. Our workshops are designed to support the solution of exercises and problems.

Most courses consist of regular lectures, supported by classes for smaller groups. You receive regular feedback on your work from your tutor. If you need further help, all tutors and lecturers have weekly office hours when you can drop in for advice, individually or in groups. Many of the lecture notes, problem sheets and background material are available on the Department’s website.

Upon arrival at Sussex you will be designated a personal tutor for the period of your study. They also operate office hours and in the first year they will see you weekly. This will help you settle in quickly and offers a great opportunity to work through any academic and personal problems.

What will I achieve?

• Excellent training in problem-solving skills.
• Understanding of the structures and techniques of mathematics, including methods of proof and logical arguments.
• Written and oral communication skills.
• Organisational and time-management skills.
• An ability to make effective use of information and to evaluate numerical data.
• IT skills and computer literacy through computational and mathematical projects.