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Teaching Style As a small university, one of the most significant benefits to students is the close and welcoming community in which they live and work. In Mathematics and Statistics a little help at the right time can save hours of frustration and we aspire to offer easy access to support and advice. In the first two years the activities for each module centre on a daily lecture. Small group tutorials take place once a week for each module and students prepare solutions to exercises on that week’s topics. In the first year in particular considerable tutorial support is provided with the aim of ensuring a successful transition to university study. Students develop increasing independence and initiative as they progress through their degree programmes with tutorial arrangements becoming less formal in third and fourth year.
Modern Mathematics and Statistics exploits the power of computer technology. This is reflected in some modules which have a significant practical element. Indeed, we encourage all students to make the most of the state-of-the- art facilities available within the Mathematical Institute. The Institute houses its own computing laboratory, which has 24-hour access, and most staff produce web-based teaching material. All final year students are required to submit a project dissertation and this provides the ideal opportunity for students to put all their acquired IT skills into practice.
Successful third year students also have the opportunity to undertake summer project work as Vacation Scholars supervised by staff of their choice. This enables them to establish a close working relationship with members of a research group and gain an appreciation of research work and what it entails.
Scholarships
A number of needs-based Entrant Scholarships are awarded each year by the University to students studying Mathematics and/or Statistics. For further information please see:
www.st-andrews.ac.uk/ scholarships/
Careers The demand for mathematically able graduates exceeds the supply and the career prospects are excellent. Graduates in Mathematics, Statistics or a joint degree involving these subjects have a wide selection of opportunities. Around 30 per cent of graduates go on to pursue postgraduate qualifications, either in the UK or abroad, and develop research careers. A small number enter the teaching profession, for which there are various financial incentives. A similar number embark upon Teaching English as a Foreign Language in Japan or China: an opportunity to see the world and experience a different culture in an organised and structured way. Although this may seem an unlikely move for a mathematical scientist it provides a commercially valuable insight into an economically vibrant part of the world.
Of the rest (over 50 per cent) our graduates gain employment with merchant banks, insurance companies, computer consultancies, the civil service, industry, and financial services organisations (e.g. Goldman Sachs, KPMG, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and many more). Clear logical thinking, deductive reasoning, confidence in data handling, and IT skills are attributes that are highly prized by employers. Graduate recruiters seek numerate, literate, enthusiastic and successful graduates. A degree in Mathematics or Statistics offers the chance to develop such a profile and, of course, a good Mathematics/Statistics degree is recognised as a substantial achievement in a demanding discipline.
Please see page 42 for details of the University’s Careers Centre.
Digital Sundial
Reflecting telescope of a design invented by James Gregory – Professor of Mathematics at St Andrews 1668-1674. This one was used by his grand nephew, David Gregory, also Professor of Mathematics 1739-1765. (Courtesy of MUSA.)
Mathematics & Statistics
“I always knew I wanted to study Maths at university and after visiting St Andrews I was sure that this is where I wanted to spend four years studying. The School of Mathematics & Statistics is a large department within the University but I have found everyone to be very friendly and helpful. There is a wide selection of modules available and plenty of guidance when making decisions. I have really enjoyed the course so far and am certain that this will continue.”
Rhona (Kilmarnock, Ayrshire)
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