DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS

GUIDE TO OPTIONAL MODULES

THIRD/FINAL YEAR (BSc), THIRD YEAR (MSci)

2018-2019

Notes and syllabus details for modules available to students in their Third Year

For degree codings:

G100, G103 MATHEMATICS (BSc, MSci)

G104 MATHEMATICS WITH A YEAR ABROAD (MSci)
G102 MATHEMATICS WITH MATHEMATICAL COMPUTATION
G125 MATHEMATICS (PURE MATHEMATICS)
G1F3 MATHEMATICS WITH APPLIED MATHEMATICS/MATHEMATICAL PHYSICS
G1G3 MATHEMATICS WITH STATISTICS
G1GH MATHEMATICS WITH STATISTICS FOR FINANCE
GG31 MATHEMATICS, OPTIMISATION AND STATISTICS

NOTE that GG14, GG41, IG11 and GI43 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE are administered by
the Department of Computing.

Professor David Evans

Director of Undergraduate Studies

4 June 2018.

TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE UNDERGRADUATE HANDBOOK.

This information WILL be subject to alteration. Updated programmes can be viewed on the MathsCentral
Blackboard site and online at:
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/natural-
sciences/departments/mathematics/study/students/undergraduate/programme-information/
THIRD YEAR OVERVIEW 2
ADVICE ON THE CHOICE OF OPTIONS 2
NON-MATHEMATICS MODULES 3
PROGRESSION TO THE FOURTH YEAR AND GRADUATION 3
MARKS, YEAR TOTALS AND YEAR WEIGHTINGS 4
ECTS 4
MODULE ASSESSMENT AND EXAMINATIONS 5
THIRD YEAR MODULE LIST 5
THIRD YEAR MATHEMATICS SYLLABUSES: 6
APPLIED MATHEMATICS/MATHEMATICAL PHYSICS/NUMERICAL ANALYSIS 6
PURE MATHEMATICS 20
STATISTICS 25
M3R PROJECT 27
OTHER “NON-MATHEMATICAL” MATHEMATICS MODULES 28
CLCC/BUSINESS SCHOOL 29
IMPERIAL HORIZONS 30
DEGREE COURSE CODING REQUIREMENTS 30
FOURTH YEAR (MSci DEGREES) 30

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THIRD YEAR OVERVIEW
The Third Year programme takes place over three terms – Term 1 (also known as Autumn Term), Term 2 (also
known as Spring Term) and Term 3 (also known as Summer Term).

After the first two years, which consist predominantly of compulsory ‘core’ mathematics, the Third Year has been
designed to permit much student choice.

Students must take EIGHT modules from a wide variety of selections from within the Department and from
certain modules elsewhere. The modules specifically approved are listed below, but students may apply to the
DUGS for permission to take any module offered in other departments, e.g. Physics or Computing. Each
Mathematics module has up to 30 lectures or their equivalent. M2 option modules not taken in the Second Year
are normally also available to Third Year students but only one of these may be taken in the Third Year and it
counts for fewer ECTS (7 rather than 8).

Lecturing will take place during Term 1 and Term 2 with three hours per week, which usually includes some
problems classes. The normal expectation is that there should be a 'lecture'/'class' balance of about 5/1. The
identification of particular class times within the timetabled periods is at the discretion of the lecturer, in
consultation with the class and as appropriate for the module material.

Some BSc students will prefer to remain broad in their interests in their Final Year of study, while others will
specialise, either from personal preference, or in order to satisfy the requirements of their particular degree
coding. Students registered for the MSci coding G103 Mathematics are advised not to specialise too narrowly at
the Third Year stage and should retain some flexibility in their planning for the Fourth Year.

G103: The primary criterion for eligibility to remain on G103 is to achieve a year total of at least 60
percent in Second Year. Students who have a year-total of 60 percent in their Second Year, a year total of at
least 58 percent on the College scale in their Third Year and pass all their Third Year modules, have the
automatic right to continue on to the Fourth Year of the MSci degree. Anyone scoring less than 58 percent (on
College scale) in their Third Year, or who fails a module, does not have this right and may be graduated with a
BSc at the Department’s discretion.

Those who score less than 60 percent in their Second Year will be transferred to the BSc, but may be allowed to
return to G103 at the end of the 3rd year. This is at the discretion of the Senior Tutor and will normally require a
3rd year total of 70 percent or more.

For further information on year totals, please see page 4.

G104: Students registered for G104 Mathematics with a Year Abroad spend their Third Year (of four) studying
mathematics courses/project material at another institution. On the rare occasion that a G104 student performs
very poorly in their year away they may, at the discretion of the Senior Tutor, be transferred to the BSc G100
Mathematics degree and take M3 subjects in their Final Year. When this occurs, the weighting for each year is
1: 3 : 0 : 5.

Selection of students wishing to spend their third year abroad at MIT will take place early in Spring term of the
second year.

ADVICE ON THE CHOICE OF OPTIONS

Students are advised to read these notes carefully and to discuss their option selections with their Personal
Tutor. An `Option Fair’ will take place after exams in the Summer Term, where staff will answer questions on all
available options. Some staff from the Pure, Statistics and AMMP sections will hold ‘office hours’ towards the end
of the 3rd term, during which they can be consulted about optional modules.

It is anticipated that lecturers will give advice on suitable books at the start of each module. Students should
contact the proposed lecturers if they desire any further details about module content in order to make their

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choice of course options. Students should also feel free to seek advice from Year Tutors, the Senior Tutor and
the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

You will not be committed to your choice of most optional modules until the completion of your examination entry
at the beginning of Term 2. The exception to this is that students do become committed to the completion of
certain modules examined only by project at some stage during the module, as will be made clear by the lecturer.

NON-MATHEMATICS MODULES
The Department offers a few options which are deemed to be ‘less-Mathematical’.

For 2018-19, these options are:

M3C High Performance Computing

M3B Mathematics of Business
M3T Communicating Mathematics (only available to G104 students in year 4)

There is also an approved list of Centre for Co-Curricular Studies/Business School non-Mathematical options
which may be taken by Mathematics students (see later in this guide).

Third year BSc students are permitted to take

either:

all three of the ‘less-Mathematical’ options M3C, M3T, M3B and no CCS/ Business School option,

or:

at most two from the combined list of ‘less Mathematical’ and CCS/ Business School options.

MSci students may take at most one option from the combined list of ‘less Mathematical’ and CCS/ Business
School options in each of their Third and Fourth Years.

BSc students who are considering transfer to the MSci should ensure that they take no more than one module
from the combined list of ‘less Mathematical’ and CCS/ Business School options during their third year.
Otherwise they will not be able to satisfy the programme requirements of the MSci.

Subject to the Department’s approval, students may take a module given outside the Department, e.g. in the
Departments of Physics or Computing. Students must obtain permission from the Director of Undergraduate
Studies if they wish to consider such an option. The DUGS will determine whether the module can be substituted
for a Mathematics option, or whether it will count as one of the less (or non-) Mathematical options.

PROGRESSION TO THE FOURTH YEAR AND GRADUATION

It is normally required that MSci students pass all course components in order to proceed into the Fourth Year.

It is normally required that BSc students pass all course components in order to graduate. However, the College
may compensate a narrowly failed module in the Final Year of study. The Examination Board may also graduate
students under exceptional circumstances who have one or more failed module, provided the overall average
mark is high enough.

The total of marks for examinations, assessed coursework, progress tests, assignments and projects, with the
appropriate year weightings, is calculated and recommendations are made to the Examiners’ Meeting (normally
held at the end of June) for consideration by the Academic Staff and External Examiners. Degrees are formally
decided at this meeting.

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Students at graduation may be awarded Honours degrees classified as follows: First, Second (upper and lower
divisions) and Third, with a good Final Year being viewed favourably by the External Examiners for borderline
cases.

Rarely, circumstances may require the Department to graduate an MSci student with a BSc.

Further information on degree classes can be found online in the Scheme for the Award of Honours at:
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/natural-
sciences/departments/mathematics/study/students/undergraduate/programme-information/

In general, applications for postponement of consideration for Honours will NOT be granted by the Department
except in special cases, such as absence through illness.

Information about Commemoration (Graduation) ceremonies can be found online at:

http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/graduation

MARKS, YEAR TOTALS AND YEAR WEIGHTINGS

What follows is a brief summary – more details of these topics can be found online at:
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/natural-
sciences/departments/mathematics/study/students/undergraduate/programme-information/
(information for 2018-2019 will be updated over the summer of 2018).

Within the Department each total module assessment is rescaled so that overall performances in different
modules may be compared. From 2017-18 onwards, all marks will be computed on the College scale, rather than
the Mathematics scale used in previous years. The rescaling onto the scale 0 – 100 marks is such that 40 (or 50
in the case of M4 modules) then corresponds to the lowest Pass mark and 70 corresponds to the lowest First
Class performance.

Marks from the eight modules taken in the third year are combined with equal weightings into a year total
expressed as a percentage.

Further information can found in the Scheme for the Award of Honours.

For three year BSc codings, the 1st : 2nd : 3rd year weightings are 1 : 3 : 5.

For the four year MSci codings G103, G104 the year weightings are 1 : 3 : 4 : 5.

(For G104 students who first enrol in the Department from 2017-18 onwards,
the year weightings will be 1 : 3: 3 : 5.)

The differences in year weighting reflect the increasing level of mathematical complexity.

ECTS
To comply with the European ‘Bologna Process’, degree programmes are required to be rated via the ECTS
(European Credit Transfer System) – which is based notionally on hour counts for elements within the degree. In
principle, 1 ECTS should equate to around 25 hours of study (including examinations and private study).

Each Third Year mathematics module has an ECTS value of 8. Centre for Co-Curricular Studies/Business
School modules have an ECTS value of 6. Each Second Year mathematics module has an ECTS value of 7 with
M2R having an ECTS value of 5. First Year mathematics modules have an ECTS value of 6.5 except for M1R
which has an ECTS value of 4.5 and M1C which has an ECTS value of 4.

MSci students who wish to increase their ECTS counts from roughly 240 to 270 must undertake
additional study over the summer vacations of their Second and Third Years. Contact the Director of
Undergraduate Studies for further information.

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Details can be viewed online at:
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/natural-
sciences/departments/mathematics/study/students/undergraduate/programme-information/

MODULE ASSESSMENT AND EXAMINATIONS

Most M3 modules are examined by one written examination of 2 hours in length.

Some of the modules may have an assessed coursework/progress test element, limited in most cases to 10% of
overall module assessment. Some modules have a more substantial coursework component (for example, 25
percent) and others are assessed entirely by coursework. Details can be found in the tables below. Precise
details of the number and nature of coursework assignments will be provided at the start of each module.

Students should bear in mind that single-term modules assessed by projects usually require extra time-
commitment during that term. Thus, the Department generally advises that students should not take more than
one such module in a term. Students wishing to take more than one such module in a term will be required to
discuss this with the Senior Tutor.

The module M3R is examined by a research project; an oral element forms part of the assessment.

The module M3T is examined by a journal of teaching activity, teacher’s assessment, oral presentation, and end
of module report.

Note: Students who take modules which are wholly assessed by project will be deemed to be officially
registered on the module through the submission of a specified number of pieces of assessed work for
that module. Thus, once a certain point is reached in these modules, a student will be committed to
completing it. In contrast, students only become committed to modules with summer examinations when
they enter for the examinations in February.

Students who do not obtain Passes in examinations at the first attempt will be expected to attend resit
examinations where appropriate. Third Year students have resit opportunities the following May/June (NOT
normally in September). Two resit attempts are normally available to students; however, MSci students who fail
a module in their Third Year only have one resit opportunity to be able to progress to the Fourth Year.

Note: Resits may not be offered for modules assessed solely by project.

Resit examinations are for Pass credit only – a maximum mark of 40 percent (College scale) will be
credited. Once a Pass is achieved, no further attempts are permitted.

Students who have not achieved the required Passes by the beginning of the new academic year are required by
College to spend a year out of attendance. During this time they are not considered College students. This may
create a number of issues and hold visa implications.

THIRD YEAR MODULE LIST

Note that not all of the individual modules listed below are offered every session and the Department
reserves the right to cancel a particular module if, for example, the number of students wishing to attend
that module does not make it viable. Similarly, some modules are occasionally run as ‘Reading Modules’.

M2 optional modules not taken in the Second Year are normally also available to Third Year students but only
one of these may be taken in the Third Year and it counts for fewer ECTS (7 rather than 8).

Modules marked * are also available in M4 form for Fourth Year MSci students (which typically involves taking a
longer Examination). When a module is offered it is usually, but not always, available in both forms. No student
may take both the M3 and M4 forms of a module.

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M3B and M3C are also available to Fourth Year students but function like a Centre for Co-Curricular
Studies/Business School option, except that their ECTS value is 8. The module M3T may only be taken in year 4
by returning G104 students.

The following notes relate to the tables on optional modules for Year 3 as below:

All M3 modules are equally weighted and worth 8 ECTS points unless otherwise specified

Column on % Exam – this indicates a standard closed-book written exam, unless otherwise indicated

Column on % CW – this indicates any coursework that is completed for the module. This may include in-class
tests, projects, or problem sets to be turned in.

The groupings of modules below have been organised to indicate some natural affinities and connections.

APPLIED MATHEMATICS/MATHEMATICAL PHYSICS/NUMERICAL ANALYSIS

Module Lecturer % exam % CW

Module Titles Terms
Codes
M2AM Non-linear Waves 2 Professor J. Carrillo 90 10
FLUIDS
M3A2* Fluid Dynamics 1 1 Professor A. Ruban 100 0
M3A10* Fluid Dynamics 2 2 Professor A. Ruban 100 0
Introduction to Geophysical Fluid Dr P. Berloff 100 0
M3A28* 2
Dynamics
M3M7* Asymptotic Analysis 1 Professor X. Wu 100 0
DYNAMICS
Professor S. van 40 (Oral) 60
M3PA48* Dynamics of Games 1
Strien
M3PA23* Dynamical Systems 1 Professor J. Lamb 100 0
M3PA24* Bifurcation Theory 2 Professor D. Turaev 100 0
M3PA16* Geometric Mechanics 1 Professor D. Holm 90 10
Dynamics, Symmetry and Professor D. Holm 90 10
M3PA34* 2
Integrability
FINANCE
Mathematical Finance: An Dr P. Siorpaes 90 10
M3F22* 1
Introduction to Option Pricing
BIOLOGY
M3A49* Mathematical Biology 1 Dr N. Jones 90 10
M3A50* Methods for Data Science 1 Dr D. Oyarzun 0 100
MATHEMATICAL PHYSICS
Mathematical Physics 1: Quantum Dr E-M Graefe 90 10
M3A4* 1
Mechanics
Special Relativity and Dr G. Pruessner 90 10
M3A6* 1
Electromagnetism
Tensor Calculus and General Dr C. Ford 90 10
M3A7* 2
Relativity
M3A29* Theory of Complex Systems 2 Professor H. Jensen 0 100
M3A52* Quantum Mechanics II 2 Dr R. Barnett 90 10
M3M6* Methods of Mathematical Physics 1 Dr S. Olver 90 10

APPLIED PDEs, NUMERICAL ANALYSIS and COMPUTATION

Introduction to Partial Differential Dr M. Delgadino 90 10
M3M3* 1
Equations
M3M11* Function Spaces and Applications 1 Professor P. Degond 90 10

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 Advanced Topics in Partial Professor P. Degond 90 10
M3M12* 2
Differential equations
Finite Elements: Numerical Dr C. Cotter & Dr D. 50 50
M3A47* 2
Analysis and Implementation Ham
Numerical Solution of Ordinary Dr I. Shevchenko 0 100
M3N7* 1
Differential Equations
M3N9* Computational Linear Algebra 1 Dr E. Keaveny 0 100
Computational Partial Differential Professor J. Mestel 0 100
M3N10* 2
Equations
M3SC* Scientific Computation 2 Dr P. Ray 0 100

PURE MATHEMATICS

Module Lecturer % exam % CW

Module Titles Terms
Codes
Professor A. 90 10
M2PM5 Metric Spaces and Topology 2
Skorobogatov
Not for Various - -
Pure Mathematics Study Group 1+2
Credit
ANALYSIS
Professor B. 100 0
M3P6* Probability 2
Zegarlinski
Professor B. 90 10
M3P7* Functional Analysis 2
Zegarlinski
Fourier Analysis and Theory of Dr S. Boegli 90 10
M3P18* 2
Distributions
M3P19* Measure and Integration 1 Dr I. Krasovsky 90 10
M3P60* Geometric Complex Analysis 2 Dr A. De Zotti 90 10
M3P70* Markov Processes 1 Professor X-M. Li 90 10
GEOMETRY
M3P5* Geometry of Curves and Surfaces 1 Professor T. Coates 90 10
M3P20* Geometry 1: Algebraic Curves 1 Dr M. Talpo 90 10
M3P21* Geometry 2: Algebraic Topology 2 Dr C. Urech 90 10
ALGEBRA AND DISCRETE MATHEMATICS
M3P8* Algebra 3 1 Dr D. Helm 90 10
M3P10* Group Theory 1 Professor A. Ivanov 90 10
M3P11* Galois Theory 2 Professor A Corti 90 10
M3P12* Group Representation Theory 2 Dr T. Schedler 90 10
M3P17* Algebraic Combinatorics 1 Dr J. Fawcett 90 10
M3P65* Mathematical Logic 1 Professor D. Evans 90 10
NUMBER THEORY
M3P14* Number Theory 1 Professor T. Gee 100 0
M3P15* Algebraic Number Theory 2 Dr A. Caraiani 90 10
STATISTICS
M2S2 Statistical Modelling 1 2 Dr B. Calderhead 90 10
M3S1* Statistical Theory 2 TBC 90 10
M3S2* Statistical Modelling 2 2 Dr C. Hallsworth 75 25
M3S4* Applied Probability 1 Dr A. Abu-Khazneh 90 10
M3S8* Time Series 1 Dr E. Cohen 90 10
M3S9* Stochastic Simulation 1 Dr S. Virtanen 75 25
Survival Models and Actuarial Professor A. Gandy 90 10
M3S14* 2
Applications
M3S16* Credit Scoring 1 Dr A. Bellotti 75 25
M3S17* Quantitative Methods in Retail 2 Dr A. Bellotti 75 25

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 Finance

PROJECT (Available Only to Final Year BSc Students)

Module Lecturer % exam % CW

Module Titles Terms
Codes
M3R Research Project in Mathematics 2+3 Dr J. Britnell 0 100

OTHER MATHEMATICAL OPTIONS

Module Lecturer % exam % CW

Module Titles Terms
Codes
2+3 Professor E.J. 0 100
M3T Communicating Mathematics
McCoy, Dr L.V. White
Mathematics of Business & 1 Dr T. Fissler 90 10
M3B
Economics
M3C High Performance Computing 1 Dr P. Ray 0 100

THIRD YEAR MATHEMATICS SYLLABUSES

Most modules running in 2018-2019 will also be available in 2019-2020, although there can be no absolute
guarantees.

APPLIED MATHEMATICS/MATHEMATICAL PHYSICS/NUMERICAL ANALYSIS

M2AM NON-LINEAR WAVES

This module considers the dynamics of a continuous medium or fluid. One dimensional flows and
waves are considered in detail to model gas dynamics and water waves as well as models of traffic
flow. Shock formation and propagation in single or two by two systems of conservation laws are
developed and solutions constructed for different problems. The course concludes with the theory of
water waves including progressing and standing waves.

The continuum hypothesis and fluid particles.

Eulerian and Lagrangian descriptions of ID fluid motion.
Fluid acceleration, material derivative.
Simple problems in finding position, given velocity and vice versa.
Conservation of mass, equation of continuity.
Pressure and gravitational forces.
Conservation of momentum – Euler’s equation.
Non-linear solutions leading to kinematic wave equation and general implicit solution.
Wave steepening. The Burgers equation.
Method of characteristics.
Shocks and weak solutions: Rankine-Hugoniot conditions, shock evolution equation.
Ideal gas dynamics: linear and non-linear problems leading to same equations as above.
Application to traffic flow (or something similar).
Application to physiological flows, river flows and hydraulic jumps – all leading to similar equations to
those already studied.
Shallow water waves, systems of hyperbolic PDEs, Riemann invariants.
Dam break problems. Advancing and receding piston problems.
The equations of water waves.
Gravity-capillary water waves.

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Dispersion relations, wave-packets, group velocity.
Standing waves, travelling waves and particle paths.

FLUIDS

M3A2* FLUID DYNAMICS 1

This module is an introduction to the Fluid Dynamics. It will be followed by Fluid Dynamics 2 in Term 2.

Fluid Dynamics deals with the motion of liquids and gases. Being a subdivision of Continuum Mechanics the fluid
dynamics does not deal with individual molecules. Instead an ‘averaged’ motion of the medium is of interest.
Fluid dynamics is aimed at predicting the velocity, pressure and temperature fields in flows past rigid bodies. A
theoretician achieves this goal by solving the governing Navier-Stokes equations. In this module a derivation of
the Navier-Stokes equations will be presented, followed by description of various techniques to simplify and solve
the equation with the purpose of describing the motion of fluids at different conditions.

Aims of this module:

To introduce students to fundamental concepts and notions used in fluid dynamics. To demonstrate how the
governing equations of fluid motion are deduced, paying attention to the restriction on their applicability to real
flows. Then a class of exact solutions to the Navier-Stokes equations will be presented. This will follow by a
discussion of possible simplifications of the Navier-Stokes equations. The main attention will be a wide class of
flows that may be treated as Inviscid. To this category belong, for example, aerodynamic flows. Students will be
introduced to theoretical methods to calculate inviscid flows past aerofoils and other aerodynamic bodies. They
will be shown how the lift force produced by an aircraft wing may be calculated.

Content:
Introduction: The continuum hypothesis. Knudsen number. The notion of fluid particle. Kinematics of the flow
field. Lagrangian and Eulerian variables. Streamlines and pathlines. Vorticity and circulation. The continuity
equation. Streamfunction and calculation of the mass flux in 2D flows.
Governing Equations: First Helmholtz’s theorem. Constitutive equation. The Navier-Stokes equations.
Exact Solutions of the Navier-Stokes Equations: Couette and Poiseuille flows. The flow between two coaxial
cylinders. The flow above an impulsively started plate. Diffusion of a potential vortex.
Inviscid Flow Theory: Integrals of motion. Kelvin’s circulation theorem. Potential flows. Bernoulli’s equation.
Cauchy-Bernoulli integral for unsteady flows. Two-dimensional flows. Complex potential. Vortex, source, dipole
and the flow past a circular cylinder. Adjoint mass. Conformal mapping. Joukovskii transformation. Flows past
aerofoils. Lift force. The theory of separated flows. Kirchhoff and Chaplygin models.

M3A10* FLUID DYNAMICS 2

Prerequisites: Fluid Dynamics 2 is a continuation of the module Fluid Dynamics 1 given in Term 1.

In Fluid Dynamics 1 the main attention was with exact solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations governing
viscous fluid motion. The exact solutions are only possible in a limited number of situations when the shape of
the body is rather simple. A traditional way of dealing with more realistic shapes (like aircraft wings) is to seek
possible simplifications in the Navier-Stokes formulation. We shall start with the case when the internal viscosity
of the fluid is very large, and the Navier-Stokes equations may be substituted by the Stokes equations. The latter
are linear and allow for simple solutions in various situations. Then we shall consider the opposite limit of very
small viscosity, which is characteristic, for example, of aerodynamic flows. In this cast the analysis of the flow
past a rigid body (say, an aircraft wing) requires Prandtl’s boundary-layer equations to be solved. These
equations are parabolic, and in many situations may be reduced to ordinary differential equations. Solving the
Prandtl equations allows us to calculate the viscous drag experienced by the bodies. The final part of the module
will be devoted to the theory of separation of the boundary layer, known as Triple-Deck theory.

Aims of the module:

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To introduce the students to various aspects of Viscous Fluid Dynamics, and to demonstrate the power (and
beauty) of modern mathematical methods employed when analysing fluid flows. This includes the Method of
Matched Asymptotic Expansions, which was put forward by Prandtl for the purpose of mathematical description
of flows with small viscosity. Now this method is used in all branches of applied mathematics.

Content:
Dynamic and Geometric Similarity of fluid flows. Reynolds Number and Strouhal Number.
Fluid Flows at Low Values of The Reynolds Number: Stokes equations. Stokes flow past a sphere. Stokes flow
past a circular cylinder. Skokes paradox.
Large Reynolds Number Flows: the notion of singular perturbations. Method of matched asymptotic expansions.
Prandtl’s boundary-layer equations. Prandtl’s hierarchical concept. Displacement thickness of the boundary
layer and its influence on the flow outside the boundary layer.
Self-Similar Solutions of the Boundary-Layer Equations: Blasius solution for the boundary layer on a flat plate
surface. Falkner-Skan solutions for the flow past a wedge. Schlichting’s jet solution. Tollmien’s far field solution.
Viscous drag of a body. Shear layers. Prandtl transposition theorem.
Triple-Deck Theory: The notion of boundary-layer separation. Formulation of the triple-deck equations for a flow
past a corner. Solution of the linearised problem (small corner angle case).

M3A28* INTRODUCTION TO GEOPHYSICAL FLUID DYNAMICS

This is an advanced-level fluid-dynamics course with geophysical flavours. The lectures target upper-level
undergraduate and graduate students interested in the mathematics of planet Earth, and in the variety of motions
and phenomena occurring in planetary atmospheres and oceans. The lectures are a mix of theory and
applications. Take a look at the lecture notes to get some idea of the material:
http://wwwf.imperial.ac.uk/˜pberloff/gfd lectures.html

Main topics
• Introduction and basics;
• Governing equations (continuity of mass, material tracer, momentum equations, equation of state,
thermodynamic equation, spherical coordinates, basic approximations);
• Geostrophic dynamics (shallow-water model, potential vorticity conservation law, Rossby number expansion,
geostrophic and hydrostatic balances, ageostrophic continuity, vorticity equation);
• Quasigeostrophic theory (two-layer model, potential vorticity conservation, continuous stratification, planetary
geostrophy);
• Ekman layers (boundary-layer analysis, Ekman pumping);
• Rossby waves (general properties of waves, physical mechanism, energetics, reflections, mean-flow effect, two
layer and continuously stratified models);
• Hydrodynamic instabilities (barotropic and baroclinic instabilities, necessary conditions, physical mechanisms,
energy conversions, Eady and Phillips models);
• Ageostrophic motions (linearized shallow-water model, Poincare and Kelvin waves, equatorial waves, ENSO
“delayed oscillator”, geostrophic adjustment, deep-water and stratified gravity waves);
• Transport phenomena (Stokes drift, turbulent diffusion);
• Nonlinear dynamics and wave-mean flow interactions (closure problem and eddy parameterization, triad
interactions, Reynolds decomposition, integrals of motion, enstrophy equations, classical 3D turbulence, 2D
turbulence, transformed Eulerian mean, Eliassen-Palm flux).

Suggested textbooks: Introduction to geophysical fluid dynamics (Cushman-Roisin); Atmospheric and oceanic

10
fluid dynamics (Vallis); Geophysical fluid dynamics (Pedlosky); Fundamentals of geophysical fluid dynamics
(McWilliams).
Prerequisites: Introductory fluid mechanics.

M3M7* ASYMPTOTIC ANALYSIS

Term 1

Asymptotic series and expansions. Asymptotic expansion of integrals, Laplace method, Watson's lemma,
stationary phase and steepest descent. Singular perturbations, matched asymptotic expansions: inner/outer
expansions and the matching principle, boundary layers and interior layers. Multiple-scale method, Poincare-
Lindstedt method, method of strained co-ordinate, averaging method, non-linear oscillations. Differential
equations with a large parameter - the WKBJ method, turning point problems, caustics.

DYNAMICS

M3PA48* DYNAMICS OF GAMES

Term 1

Recently there has been quite a lot of interest in modeling learning through studying the dynamics of games. The
settings to which these models may be applied is wide-ranging, from ecology and sociology to business, as
actively pursued by companies like Google. Examples include

(i) optimization of strategies of populations in ecology and biology

(ii) strategies of people in a competitive environment, like online auctions or (financial) markets.
(iii) learning models used by technology companies
This module is aimed at discussing a number of dynamical models in which learning evolves over time, and
which have a game theoretic background. 
T he m odule w ill take a dynam ical system s perspective. T opics w ill
include replicator dynamics and best response dynamics.

M3PA23* DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS

Term 1

The theory of Dynamical Systems is an important area of mathematics which aims at describing objects whose
state changes over time. For instance, the solar system comprising the sun and all planets is a dynamical
system, and dynamical systems can be found in many other areas such as finance, physics, biology and social
sciences. This course provides a rigorous treatment of the foundations of discrete-time dynamical systems,
which includes the following subjects:

- Periodic orbits
- Topological and symbolic dynamics
- Chaos theory
- Invariant manifolds
- Statistical properties of dynamical systems

M3PA24* BIFURCATION THEORY

Term 2

This module serves as an introduction to bifurcation theory, concerning the study of how the behaviour of
dynamical systems (ODEs, maps) changes when parameters are varied.

The following topics will be covered:

1) Bifurcations on a line and on a plane.

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2) Centre manifold theorem; local bifurcations of equilibrium states.
3) Local bifurcations of periodic orbits – folds and cusps.
4) Homoclinic loops: cases with simple dynamics, Shilnikov chaos, Lorenz attractor.
5) Saddle-node bifurcations: destruction of a torus, intermittency, blue-sky catastrophe.
6) Routes to chaos and homoclinic tangency.

M3PA16* GEOMETRIC MECHANICS

Term 1

This module on geometric mechanics starts with Fermat’s principle, that light rays follow geodesics determined
from a least action variational principle. It then treats subsequent developments in mechanics by Newton, Euler,
Lagrange, Hamilton, Lie, Poincaré, Noether, and Cartan, who all dealt with geometric optics.

The module will explicitly illustrate the following concepts of geometric mechanics:

* Configuration space, variational principles, Euler-Lagrange equations, geodesic curves,

* Legendre transformation, phase space, Hamilton’s canonical equations,
* Poisson brackets, Hamiltonian vector fields, symplectic transformations,
* Lie group symmetries, conservation laws, Lie algebras and their dual spaces,
* Divergence free vector fields, momentum maps and coadjoint motion.

All of these concepts from geometric mechanics will be illustrated with examples, first for Fermat’s principle and
then again for three primary examples in classical mechanics: (1) motion on the sphere, (2) the rigid body and (3)
pairs of n :m resonant oscillators.

Lectures will be given from the textbook, Geometric Mechanics I: Dynamics and Symmetry, by DD Holm, World
Scientific: Imperial College Press, Singapore, 2nd edition (2011).. ISBN 978-1-84816-195-5.

M3PA34* DYNAMICS, SYMMETRY AND INTEGRABILITY

Term 2

The following topics will be covered:

* Introduction to smooth manifolds as configuration spaces for dynamics.

* Transformations of smooth manifolds as flows of smooth vector fields.
* Introduction to differential forms, wedge products and Lie derivatives.
* Adjoint and coadjoint actions of matrix Lie groups and matrix Lie algebras
* Action principles on matrix Lie algebras, their corresponding Euler-Poincaré ordinary differential equations and
the Lie-Poisson Hamiltonian formulations of these equations.
* EPDiff: the Euler-Poincaré partial differential equation for smooth vector fields acting on smooth manifolds
* The Hamiltonian formulation of EPDiff: Its momentum maps and soliton solutions
* Integrability of EPDiff: Its bi-Hamiltonian structure, Lax pair and isospectral problem, as well as the relationships
of these features to the corresponding properties of KdV.

FINANCE

M3F22* MATHEMATICAL FINANCE: AN INTRODUCTION TO OPTION PRICING

Term 1

Prerequisites: Differential Equations (M2AA1), Multivariable Calculus (M2AA2), Real Analysis (M2PM1) and
Probability and Statistics 2 (M2S1).

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The mathematical modeling of derivatives securities, initiated by Bachelier in 1900 and developed by Black,
Scholes and Merton in the 1970s, focuses on the pricing and hedging of options, futures and other derivatives,
using a probabilistic representation of market uncertainty. This module is a mathematical introduction to this
theory, in a discrete-time setting. We will mostly focus on the no-arbitrage theory in market models described by
trees; eventually we will take the continuous-time limit of a binomial tree to obtain the celebrated Black-Scholes
model and pricing formula.

We will cover and apply mathematical concepts -such as conditional expectation, filtrations, Markov processes,
martingales and martingale transforms, the separation theorem, and change of measure- and financial concepts
such as self-financing portfolios, replication and delta hedging, risk-neutral probability, complete markets, non-
anticipative strategies, and the fundamental theorem of asset pricing.

BIOLOGY

M3A49* MATHEMATICAL BIOLOGY

Term 1

The aim of the module is to describe the application of mathematical models to biological phenomena. A variety
of contexts in human biology and diseases are considered, as well as problems typical of particular organisms
and environments.

The syllabus includes topics from:

*Population dynamics. Growth and spatial spread of organisms. Fisher's equation.

*Epidemiology - the spread of plagues.

*Reaction-Diffusion models: Turing mechanism for pattern formation.

How the leopard got his spots (and sometimes stripes).

*Enzyme Kinetics and chemical reactions: Michaelis-Menten theory.

Hormone cycles, neuron-firing.

*Mass transport; Taylor dispersion.

*Biomechanics: Blood circulation, animal locomotion: swimming, flight.

Effects of scale and size.

*Other particular problems from biology.

M3A50* METHODS FOR DATA SCIENCE

Term 1

This course is in two halves: machine learning and complex networks. We will begin with an introduction to the R
language and to visualisation and exploratory data analysis. We will describe the mathematical challenges and
ideas in learning from data. We will introduce unsupervised and supervised learning through theory and through
application of commonly used methods (such as principle components analysis, k-nearest neighbours, support
vector machines and others). Moving to complex networks, we will introduce key concepts of graph theory and
discuss model graphs used to describe social and biological phenomena (including Erdos-Renyi graphs, small-
world and scale-free networks). We will define basic metrics to characterise data-derived networks, and illustrate
how networks can be a useful way to interpret data.

MATHEMATICAL PHYSICS

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M3A4* MATHEMATICAL PHYSICS 1: QUANTUM MECHANICS

Term 1

Quantum mechanics is one of the most successful theories in modern physics and has an exceptionally beautiful
underlying mathematical structure. It provides the basis for many areas of contemporary physics, including
atomic and molecular, condensed matter, high-energy particle physics, quantum information theory, and
quantum cosmology, and has led to countless technological applications.

This module aims to provide an introduction to quantum phenomena and their mathematical description.
Quantum theory combines tools and concepts from various areas of mathematics and physics, such as classical
mechanics, linear algebra, probability theory, numerical methods, analysis and even geometry. However, most of
the concepts are basic, and little background knowledge is required before we can put them to practical use.

Core topics: Hamiltonian dynamics; Schrödinger equation and wave functions; stationary states of one-
dimensional systems; mathematical foundations of quantum mechanics; quantum dynamics; angular momentum

Additional optional topics may include: Approximation techniques; explicitly time-dependent systems; geometric
phases; numerical techniques; many-particle systems; cold atoms; entanglement and quantum information.

M3A6* SPECIAL RELATIVITY AND ELECTROMAGNETISM

Term 1

This module presents a beautiful mathematical description of a physical theory of great historical, theoretical
and technological importance. It demonstrates how advances in modern theoretical physics are being made and
gives a glimpse of how other theories (say quantum chromodynamics) proceed.

At the beginning of special relativity stands an experimental observation and thus the insight that all physical
theories ought to be invariant under Lorentz transformations. Casting this in the language of Lagrangian
mechanics induces a new description of the world around us. After some mathematical work, but also by
interpreting the newly derived objects, Maxwell’s equations follow, which are truly fundamental to all our every-
day interaction with the world. In particular, Maxwell’s equations can be used to characterise the behaviour of
charges in electromagnetic fields, which is rich and beautiful.

This module does not follow the classical presentation of special relativity by following its historical development,
but takes the field theoretic route of postulating an action and determining the consequences. The lectures follow
closely the famous textbook on the classical theory of fields by Landau and Lifshitz.

Special relativity: Einstein’s postulates, Lorentz transformation and its consequences, four vectors, dynamics of a
particle, mass-energy equivalence, collisions, conserved quantities.
Electromagnetism: Magnetic and electric fields, their transformations and invariants, Maxwell’s equations,
conserved quantities, wave equation.

M3A7* TENSOR CALCULUS AND GENERAL RELATIVITY

Term 2

The mathematical description of a theory, which is fundamental to gravitation and to behaviour of systems at
large scales.

Tensor calculus including Riemannian geometry; principle of equivalence for gravitational fields; Einstein’s field
equations and the Newtonian approximation; Schwarzschild’s solution for static spherically symmetric systems;
the observational tests; significance of the Schwarzschild radius; black holes; cosmological models and ‘big
bang’ origin of the universe. Variational principles.

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M3A29* THEORY OF COMPLEX SYSTEMS

Term 2

Objective: To become familiar with the subject matter of Complexity Sciences, its methodology and mathematical
tools.

Prerequisites: Curiosity and an interest in being able to understand the complex world surrounding us. Standard
undergraduate mathematics (such as calculus, linear algebra). Some familiarity with computing (e.g. matlab or
other programming language). A little familiarity with statistical mechanics may be helpful.

This module will provide the basic foundation in terms of concepts and mathematical methodology needed to
analyse and model complex systems.

1) Simple functional integration: to discuss the emergent vortex solutions in terms extremal configurations for the
partition integral of the 2D XY model.
2) Record statistics and record dynamics: to discuss the statistics of intermittent slowly decelerating dynamics as
observed in models of evolution and many other complex systems. Relations to extreme value statistics.
3) Branching processes: to present a mean field discussion of avalanche dynamics in models of complex
systems such as the sand pile, forest fires and more recent models of fusions of banks.
4) The Kuramoto transition to synchronisation as an example of collective cooperative dynamical behaviour of
potential relevance to brain dynamics.
5) Intermittency in low (non-linear maps) and high dimensional systems (e.g. Tangled Nature model) and relation
to renormalisation theory (low dim.) and mean field stability analysis (high dim).

Assessment: Two mini projects.

M3A52* QUANTUM MECHANICS II

Term 2

Quantum mechanics is one of the most successful theories in modern physics and has an exceptionally beautiful
underlying mathematical structure. It provides the basis for many areas of contemporary physics, including
atomic and molecular, condensed matter, high-energy particle physics, quantum information theory, and
quantum cosmology, and has led to countless technological applications. Quantum theory combines tools and
concepts from various areas of mathematics and physics, such as classical mechanics, linear algebra, probability
theory, numerical methods, analysis and even geometry. However, most of the concepts are basic, and little
background knowledge is required before we can put them to practical use.
This module is intended to be a second course in quantum mechanics and will build on topics covered in
Quantum Mechanics I.
Core topics: Quantum mechanics in three spatial dimensions, the Heisenberg picture, perturbation theory,
addition of spin, adiabatic processes and the geometric phase, Floquet-Bloch theory, second quantization and
introduction to many-particle systems, Fermi and Bose statistics, quantum magnetism. Additional topics may
include WKB theory and the Feynman path integral.

M3M6* METHODS OF MATHEMATICAL PHYSICS

Term 1

The aim of this module is to learn tools and techniques from complex analysis and orthogonal polynomials that
are used in mathematical physics. The course will focus on mathematical techniques, though will
discuss relevant physical applications, such as electrostatic potential theory. The course also incorporates
computational techniques in the lectures.

Prerequisites: Complex analysis.

Topics:

1. Revision of complex analysis: Complex integration, Cauchy’s theorem and residue calculus [Revision]

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 2. Singular integrals: Cauchy, Hilbert, and log kernel transforms
3. Potential theory: Laplace’s equation, electrostatic potentials, distribution of charges in a well
4. Riemann–Hilbert problems: Plemelj formulae, additive and multiplicative Riemann–Hilbert problems
5. Orthogonal polynomials: recurrence relationships, solving differential equations, calculating singular
integrals
6. Integral equations: integral equations on the whole and half line, Fourier transforms, Laplace transforms
7. Wiener–Hopf method: direct solution, solution via Riemann–Hilbert methods
8. Singularities of differential equations: analyticity of solutions, regular singular points, Hypergeometric
functions

APPLIED PDEs, NUMERICAL METHODS and COMPUTATION

M3M3* INTRODUCTION TO PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

Term 1

1. Basic concepts: PDEs, linearity, superposition principle. Boundary and Initial value problems.
2. Gauss Theorem: gradient, divergence and rotational. Main actors: continuity, heat or diffusion, Poisson-
Laplace, and the wave equations.
3. Linear and Quasilinear first order PDEs in two independent variables. Well-posedness for the Cauchy
problem. The linear transport equation. Upwinding scheme for the discretization of the advection equation.
4. A brief introduction to conservation laws: The traffic equation and the Burgers equation. Singularities.
5. Derivation of the heat equation. The boundary value problem: separation of variables. Fourier Series.
Explicit Euler scheme for the 1d heat equation: stability.
6. The Cauchy problem for the heat equation: Poisson’s Formula. Uniqueness by maximum principle.
7. The ID wave equation. D’Alembert Formula. The boundary value problem by Fourier Series. Explicit finite
difference scheme for the 1d wave equation: stability.
8. 2D and 3D waves. Causality and Energy conservation: Huygens principle.
9. Green’s functions: Newtonian potentials. Dirichlet and Neumann problems.
10. Harmonic functions. Uniqueness: mean property and maximum principles.

M3M11* FUNCTION SPACES AND APPLICATIONS

Term 1

The purpose of this course is to introduce the basic function spaces and to train the student into the basic
methodologies needed to undertake the analysis of Partial Differential Equations and to prepare them for the
course ‘Advanced topics in Partial Differential Equations’’ where this framework will be applied. The course is
designed as a stand-alone course. No background in topology or measure theory is needed as these concepts
will be reviewed at the beginning of the course.

The course will span the basic aspects of modern functional spaces: integration theory, Banach spaces, spaces
of differentiable functions and of integrable functions, convolution and regularization, compactness and Hilbert
spaces. The concepts of Distributions, compact operators and Sobolev spaces will be taught in the follow-up
course ‘’Advanced topics in Partial Differential Equations’’ as they are tightly connected to the resolution of elliptic
PDE’s and the material taught in the present course is already significant.

The syllabus of the course is as follows:

1) Elements of metric topology

2) Elements of Lebesgue’s integration theory.

3) Normed vector spaces. Banach spaces. Continuous linear maps. Dual of a Banach space. Examples of
function spaces: continuously differentiable function spaces and Lebesgue spaces. Hölder and Minkowski’s

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inequalities. Support of a function; Convolution. Young’s inequality for the convolution. Mollifiers. Approximation
of continuous or Lebesgue integrable functions by infinitely differentiable functions with compact support.

4) Hilbert spaces. The projection theorem. The Riesz representation theorem. The Lax-Milgram theorem. Hilbert
bases and Parseval’s identity. Application to Fourier series.

M3M12* ADVANCED TOPICS IN PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

Term 2

This course develops the analysis of boundary value problems for elliptic and parabolic PDE’s using the
variational approach. It is a follow-up of ‘Function spaces and applications’ but is open to other students as well
provided they have sufficient command of analysis. An introductory Partial Differential Equation course is not
needed either, although certainly useful.

The course consists of three parts. The first part (divided in two chapters) develops further tools needed for the
study of boundary value problem, namely distributions and Sobolev spaces. The following two parts are devoted
to elliptic and parabolic equations on bounded domains. They present the variational approach and spectral
theory of elliptic operators as well as their use in the existence theory for parabolic problems. The aim of the
course is to expose the students some important aspects of Partial Differential Equation theory, aspects that will
be most useful to those who will further work with Partial Differential Equations be it on the Theoretical side or on
the Numerical one.

The syllabus of the course is as follows:

1. Distributions.The space of test functions. Definition and examples of distributions. Differentiation. Convolution.
Convergence of distributions.

2. Sobolev spaces: The space H1. Density of smooth functions. Extension lemma. Trace theorem. The space
H10. Poincare inequality. The Rellich-Kondrachov compactness theorem (without proof). Sobolev imbedding (in
the simple case of an interval of R). The space Hm. Compactness and Sobolev
imbedding for arbitrary dimension (statement without proof).

3. Linear elliptic boundary value problems: Dirichlet and Neumann boundary value problems via the Lax-Milgram
theorem. The maximum principle. Regularity (stated without proofs). Classical examples:
elasticity system, Stokes system.

4) Spectral Theory : compact operators in Hilbert spaces. The Fredholm alternative. Spectral decomposition of
compact self-adjoint operators in Hilbert spaces. Spectral theory of linear elliptic boundary value problems.

5. Linear parabolic initial-boundary value problems. Existence and uniqueness by spectral decomposition on the
eigenbasis of the associated elliptic operator. Classical examples (Navier-Stokes equation).

M3N7* NUMERICAL SOLUTION OF ORDINARY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

Term 1

An analysis of methods for solving ordinary differential equations. Totally examined by project.

Runge-Kutta, extrapolation and linear multistep methods. Analysis of stability and convergence.
Error estimation and automatic step control. Introduction to stiffness.
Boundary and eigenvalue problems. Solution by shooting and finite difference methods.
Introduction to deferred and defect correction.

M3N10* COMPUTATIONAL PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

Term 2

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The module will introduce a variety of computational approaches for solving partial differential equations,
focusing mostly on finite difference methods, but also touching on finite volume and spectral methods. Students
will gain experience implementing the methods and writing/modifying short programs in Matlab or other
programming language of their choice. Applications will be drawn from problems arising in Mathematical Biology,
Fluid Dynamics, etc. At the end of the module, students should be able to solve research-level problems by
combining various techniques. Assessment will be by projects, probably 3 in total. The first project will only count
for 10-20% and will be returned quickly with comments, before students become committed to completing the
module. Typically, the projects will build upon each other, so that by the end of the module a research level
problem may be tackled. Matlab codes will be provided to illustrate similar problems and techniques, but these
will require modification before they can be applied to the projects. The use of any reasonable computer
language is permitted.

Topics (as time permits).

- Finite difference methods for linear problems: order of accuracy, consistency, stability and convergence, CFL
condition, von Neumann stability analysis, stability regions; multi-step formula and multi-stage techniques.

- Solvers for elliptic problems: direct and iterative solvers, Jacobi and Gauss-Seidel method and convergence
analysis; geometric multigrid method.

- Methods for the heat equation: explicit versus implicit schemes; stiffness.

- Techniques for the wave equation: finite-difference solution, characteristic formulation, non-reflecting boundary
conditions, one-way wave equations, perfectly matched layers. Lax-Friedrichs, Lax-Wendroff, upwind and semi-
Lagrangian advection schemes.

- Domain decomposition for elliptic equations: overlapping alternating Schwarz method and convergence
analysis, non-overlapping methods.

M3SC* SCIENTIFIC COMPUTATION

Term 2

Scientific computing is an important skill for any mathematician. It requires both knowledge of algorithms and
proficiency in a scientific programming language. The aim of this module is to expose students from a varied
mathematical background to efficient algorithms to solve mathematical problems using computation.

The objectives are that by the end of the module all students should have a good familiarity with the essential
elements of the Python programming language, and be able to undertake programming tasks in a range of
common areas (see below).

There will be four sub-modules: 1. A PDE-module covering elementary methods for the solution of time-
dependent problems. 2. An optimization-module covering discrete and derivative-free algorithms. 3. A pattern-
recognition-module covering searching and matching methods. 4. A statistics-module covering, e.g., Monte-
Carlo techniques.

Each module will consist of a brief introduction to the underlying algorithm, its implementation in the python
programming language, and an application to real-life situations.

M3N9* COMPUTATIONAL LINEAR ALGEBRA

Term 1

Examined solely by project. Computational aspects of the projects will require programming in Matlab and/ or
Python.

Whether it be statistics, mathematical finance, or applied mathematics, the numerical implementation

of many of the theories arising in these fields relies on solving a system of linear equations, and often

18
doing so as quickly as possible to obtain a useful result in a reasonable time. This course explores
the different methods used to solve linear systems (as well as perform other linear algebra
computations) and has equal emphasis on mathematical analysis and practical applications.

Topics include:
1. Direct methods: Triangular and banded matrices, Gauss elimination, LU-decomposition, conditioning and
finite-precision
arithmetic, pivoting, Cholesky factorisation, QR factorisation.
2. Symmetric eigenvalue problem: power method and variants, Jacobi's method, Householder
reduction to tridiagonal form, eigenvalues of tridiagonal matrices, the QR method
3. Iterative methods:
(a) Classic iterative methods: Richardson, Jacobi, Gauss - Seidel, SOR
(b) Krylov subspace methods: Lanczos method and Arnoldi iteration, conjugate gradient method, GMRES,
preconditioning.

M3A47* FINITE ELEMENTS: NUMERICAL ANALYSIS AND IMPLEMENTATION

Term 2

Finite element methods form a flexible class of techniques for numerical solution of PDEs that are both
accurate and efficient.
The finite element method is a core mathematical technique underpinning much of the development of
simulation science. Applications are as diverse as the structural mechanics of buildings, the weather forecast,
and pricing financial instruments. Finite element methods have a powerful mathematical abstraction based on
the language of function spaces, inner products, norms and operators.
This module aims to develop a deep understanding of the finite element method by spanning both its analysis
and implementation. in the analysis part of the module you will employ the mathematical abstractions of the finite
element method to analyse the existence, stability, and accuracy of numerical solutions to PDEs. At the same
time, in the implementation part of the module you will combine these abstractions with modern software
engineering tools to create and understand a computer implementation of the finite element method.

Syllabus:
• Basic concepts: Weak formulation of boundary value problems, Ritz-Galerkin approximation, error
estimates, piecewise polynomial spaces, local estimates.
• Efficient construction of finite element spaces in one dimension, 1D quadrature, global assembly of
mass matrix and Laplace matrix.
• Construction of a finite element space: Ciarlet’s finite element, various element types, finite element
interpolants.
• Construction of local bases for finite elements, efficient local assembly.
• Sobolev Spaces: generalised derivatives, Sobolev norms and spaces, Sobolev’s inequality.
• Numerical quadrature on simplices. Employing the pullback to integrate on a reference element.
• Variational formulation of elliptic boundary value problems: Riesz representation theorem, symmetric
and nonsymmetric variational problems, Lax-Milgram theorem, finite element approximation estimates.
• Computational meshes: meshes as graphs of topological entities. Discrete function spaces on meshes,
local and global numbering.
• Global assembly for Poisson equation, implementation of boundary conditions. General approach for
nonlinear elliptic PDEs.
• Variational problems: Poisson’s equation, variational approximation of Poisson’s equation, elliptic
regularity estimates, general second-order elliptic operators and their variational approximation.
• Residual form, the Gâteaux derivative and techniques for nonlinear problems.
The course is assessed 50% by examination and 50% by coursework (implementation exercise in Python).

PURE MATHEMATICS

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M2PM5 METRIC SPACES AND TOPOLOGY

Term 2

This module extends various concepts from analysis to more general spaces.

Metric spaces. Convergence and continuity. Examples (Euclidean spaces, function spaces; uniform
convergence). The open sets in a metric space; equivalent metrics. Convergence and continuity in terms of
open sets: topological spaces. Subspaces. Hausdorff spaces. Sequential compactness; compactness via open
covers; compact spaces; determination of compact subspaces of Rn. Completeness in metric spaces.
Relationship between compactness and completeness. Connected and path connected spaces; equivalence of
these notions for open sets in Rn. Winding numbers, definition of fundamental group, its computation for the
circle. Example: proof of fundamental theorem of algebra.

PURE MATHEMATICS STUDY GROUP

Various lecturers
Terms 1 and 2

This is a non-examined, not-for-credit optional module. It will consist of a mixture of independent study and
discussion groups, together with lectures delivered by students or staff. The choice of topics will complement that
available in taught modules and will be determined by students in discussion with and under the guidance of a
member of staff.

ANALYSIS

M3P6* PROBABILITY THEORY

Term 2

Prerequisites: Measure and Integration (M3P19, Term 1)

A rigorous approach to the fundamental properties of probability.

Probability measures. Random variables Independence. Sums of independent random variables; weak and
strong laws of large numbers. Weak convergence, characteristic functions, central limit theorem. Elements of
Brownian motion.

M3P7* FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS

Term 2

This module brings together ideas of continuity and linear algebra. It concerns vector spaces with a distance,
and involves linear maps; the vector spaces are often spaces of functions.

Vector spaces. Existence of a Hamel basis. Normed vector spaces. Banach spaces. Finite dimensional
spaces. Isomorphism. Separability. The Hilbert space. The Riesz-Fisher Theorem. The Hahn-Banach
Theorem. Principle of Uniform Boundedness. Dual spaces. Operators, compact operators. Hermitian
operators and the Spectral Theorem.

M3P18* FOURIER ANALYSIS AND THEORY OF DISTRIBUTIONS

Term 2

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Spaces of test functions and distributions, Fourier Transform (discrete and continuous), Bessel’s, Parseval’s
Theorems, Laplace transform of a distribution, Solution of classical PDE’s via Fourier transform, Basic Sobolev
Inequalities, Sobolev spaces.

M3P19* MEASURE AND INTEGRATION

Term 1

Rings and algebras of sets, construction of a measure. Measurable functions and their properties, Egorov's
theorem, convergence in measure. Lebesgue integral, its elementary properties, integral and sequences, Fubini
theorem. Differentiation and integration:
monotone functions, functions of bounded variation, absolutely continuous functions, signed measures.
Lebesgue-Stiltjes measures. Lp spaces.

M3P60* GEOMETRIC COMPLEX ANALYSIS

Term 2

Complex analysis is the study of functions of complex numbers. It is employed in a wide range of topics,
including dynamical systems, algebraic geometry, number theory, and quantum field theory, to name a few.

While you become familiar with basics of functions of a complex variable in the complex analysis module, here
we look at the subject from a more geometric viewpoint. We shall look at geometric notions associated with
domains in the plane and their boundaries, and how they are transformed under holomorphic mappings. In turn,
the behaviour of conformal maps is highly dependent on the shape of their domain of definition.

The module will discuss the following topics: Schwarz lemma, automorphisms of the disk, the Riemann sphere
and the rational maps, hyperbolic geometry on the disk, conformal mappings, normal families and Montel's
theorem, Riemann mapping theorem, distortion theorems, quasiconformal mappings, Beltrami equation.

M3P70* MARKOV PROCESSES

Term 1

Markov processes are widely used to model random evolutions with the Markov property `given the present, the
future is independent of the past’. The theory connects with many other subjects in mathematics and has vast
applications. This course is an introduction to Markov processes. We aim to build intuitions and good
foundations for further studies in stochastic analysis and in stochastic modelling.

The module is largely self-contained, but it would be useful for students to also take Measure and Integration
(M345P19). A good knowledge of real analysis would be helpful (M2PM1).

It is related to:
Applied probability (M345S4), Random Dynamical Systems and Ergodic Theory (M4PA40), Probability theory
(M345P6), Stochastic Calculus with Applications to non-Linear Filtering (M45P67), Stochastic Differential
Equations (M45A51),
Stochastic simulation (M4S9*), Ergodic Theory (M4PA36), Computational Stochastic Processes (M4A44), and
many Mathematical Finance modules.

Contents: 1. Discrete time and finite state Markov chains : Chapman-

Kolmogorov equations,
irreducible, Perron-Froebenius theorem for stochastic matrices, recurrent and
transient.
2. Discrete time Markov processes on general state space. Conditional
expectations, Chapman-Kolmogorov equation, Feller property, strong Feller
property, Kolmogorov's theorem, stopping times, strong Markov, stationary
process, weak convergence and Prohorov's theorem, Existence of invariant

21
measures : Krylov-Bogolubov method, Lyapunov method. Ergodicity by
contraction method and Doeblin's criterion. Structures of invariant measures,
ergodic theorems.

GEOMETRY

M3P5* GEOMETRY OF CURVES AND SURFACES

Term 1

The main object of this module is to understand what is the curvature of a surface in 3-dimensional space.

Topological surfaces: Definition of an atlas; the prototype definition of a surface; examples. The topology of a
surface; the Hausdorff condition, the genuine definition of a surface. Orientability, compactness.
Subdivisions and the Euler characteristic.
Cut-and-paste technique, the classification of compact surfaces. Connected sums of surfaces.
Smooth surfaces: Definition of a smooth atlas, a smooth surface and of smooth maps into and out of smooth
surfaces. Surfaces in R3, tangents, normals and orientability.
The first fundamental form, lengths and areas, isometries.
The second fundamental form, principal curvatures and directions.
The definition of a geodesic, existence and uniqueness, geodesics and co-ordinates.
Gaussian curvature, definition and geometric interpretation, Gauss curvature is intrinsic, surfaces with constant
Gauss curvature.
The Gauss-Bonnet theorem.
(Not examinable and in brief) Abstract Riemannian surfaces, metrics.

M3P20* GEOMETRY 1: ALGEBRAIC CURVES

Term 1

Plane algebraic curves; Projective spaces; Projective curves; Smooth cubics and the group
structure; Intersection of projective curves.
Genus of a curve (Riemann surfaces); Meromorphic differentials and Abel’s theorem.

M3P21* GEOMETRY 2: ALGEBRAIC TOPOLOGY

Term 2

Homotopies of maps and spaces. Fundamental group. Covering spaces, Van Kampen (only sketch of proof).
Homology: singular and simplicial (following Hatcher’s notion of Delta-complex). Mayer-Vietoris (sketch proof)
and long exact sequence of a pair. Calculations on topological surfaces. Brouwer fixed point theorem.

ALGEBRA AND DISCRETE MATHEMATICS

M3P8* ALGEBRA 3

Term 1

Rings, integral domains, unique factorization domains.

Modules, ideals homomorphisms, quotient rings, submodules quotient modules.
Fields, maximal ideals, prime ideals, principal ideal domains.
Euclidean domains, rings of polynomials, Gauss’s lemma, Eisenstein’s criterion.
Field extensions.
Noetherian rings and Hilbert’s basis theorem.

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Dual vector space, tensor algebra and Hom.
Basics of homological algebra, complexes and exact sequences.

M3P10* GROUP THEORY

Term 1

An introduction to some of the more advanced topics in the theory of groups.

Composition series, Jordan-Hölder theorem, Sylow’s theorems, nilpotent and soluble groups.
Permutation groups. Types of simple groups.

M3P11* GALOIS THEORY

Term 2

The formula for the solution to a quadratic equation is well-known. There are similar formulae for cubic and
quartic equations but no formula is possible for quintics. The module explains why this happens.

Irreducible polynomials. Field extensions, degrees and the tower law. Extending embeddings. Normal field
extensions, splitting fields, separable extensions. Groups of automorphisms, fixed fields. The fundamental
theorem of Galois theory. Finite fields, cyclotomic extensions. Extensions of the rationals and Frobenius
elements. The solubility of polynomials of degree at most 4 and the insolubility of quintic equations.

M3P12* GROUP REPRESENTATION THEORY

Term 2

Representations of groups: definitions and basic properties. Maschke's theorem, Schur's lemma.
Representations of abelian groups. Tensor products of representations.
The character of a group representation. Class functions. Character tables and orthogonality relations.
Finite-dimensional algebras and modules. Group algebras. Matrix algebras and semi-simplicity.

M3P17* ALGEBRAIC COMBINATORICS

Term 1

An introduction to a variety of combinatorial techniques that have wide applications to other areas of
mathematics.

Elementary coding theory. The Hamming metric, linear codes and Hamming codes.
Combinatorial structures: block designs, affine and projective planes. Construction of examples using finite fields
and vector spaces. Steiner systems from the Golay code. Basic theory of incidence matrices.
Strongly regular graphs: examples, basic theory, and relationship with codes and designs.

M3P65* MATHEMATICAL LOGIC

Term 1

The module is concerned with some of the foundational issues of mathematics. In propositional and predicate
logic, we analyse the way in which we reason formally about mathematical structures. In set theory, we will look
at the ZFC axioms and use these to develop the notion of cardinality. These topics have applications to other
areas of mathematics: formal logic has applications via model theory and ZFC provides an essential toolkit for
handling infinite objects.

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Propositional logic: Formulas and logical validity; a formal system; soundness and completeness.

Predicate logic: First-order languages and structures; satisfaction and truth of formulas; the formal system;
Goedel’s completeness theorem; the compactness theorem; the Loewenheim-Skolem theorem.

Set theory: The axioms of ZF set theory; ordinals; cardinality; the Axiom of Choice.

NUMBER THEORY

M3P14* NUMBER THEORY

Term 1

The module is concerned with properties of natural numbers, and in particular of prime numbers, which can be
proved by elementary methods.

Fermat-Euler theorem, Lagrange's theorem. Wilson's theorem.

Arithmetic functions, multiplicative functions, perfect numbers, Möbius inversion, Dirichlet Convolution.
Primitive roots, Gauss's theorem, indices.
Quadratic residues, Euler's criterion, Gauss's lemma, law of quadratic reciprocity, Jacobi symbol.
Sums of squares. Distribution of quadratic residues and non-residues.
Irrationality, Liouville's theorem, construction of a transcendental number.
Diophantine equations. Pell's equation, Thue's Theorem, Mordell's equation.

M3P15* ALGEBRAIC NUMBER THEORY

Term 2

An introduction to algebraic number theory, with emphasis on quadratic fields. In such fields the familiar unique
factorisation enjoyed by the integers may fail, but the extent of the failure is measured by the class group.

The following topics will be treated with an emphasis on quadratic fields .

Field extensions, minimum polynomial, algebraic numbers, conjugates and discriminants, Gaussian integers,
algebraic integers, integral basis, quadratic fields, cyclotomic fields, norm of an algebraic number, existence of
factorisation.

Factorisation in Ideals, Z -basis, maximal ideals, prime ideals, unique factorisation theorem of ideals and
consequences, relationship between factorisation of numbers and of ideals, norm of an ideal. Ideal classes,
finiteness of class number, computations of class number.

STATISTICS
M2S2 STATISTICAL MODELLING 1

Term 2

Traditional concepts of statistical inference, including maximum likelihood, hypothesis testing and interval
estimation are developed and then applied to the linear model, which arises in many practical situations.

Maximum likelihood estimation, likelihood ratio tests and their properties, confidence intervals.
Linear models - including non-full rank models: estimation, confidence intervals and hypothesis testing. The
analysis of variance.

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M3S1* STATISTICAL THEORY

Term 2

This module deals with the criteria and the theoretical results necessary to develop and evaluate optimum
statistical procedures in hypothesis testing, point and interval estimation.
Theories of estimation and hypothesis testing, including sufficiency, completeness, exponential families,
minimum variance unbiased estimators, Cramér-Rao lower bound, maximum likelihood estimation, Rao-
Blackwell and Neyman-Pearson results, and likelihood ratio tests as well as elementary decision theory and
Bayesian estimation.

M3S2* STATISTICAL MODELLING 2

Term 2

Prerequisites: This module leads on from the linear models covered in M2S2 and Probability and Statistics 2
covered in M2S1.

The Generalised Linear Model is introduced from a theoretical and practical viewpoint and various aspects are
explained.
Generalised Linear Model, as a unifying statistical framework – linear models and quantitative responses.
Generalised Additive Models, Kernel and non-parametric Regression. Fixed and random effect models.

The R statistical package will be used to expose how the different models can be applied on example data.

M3S4* APPLIED PROBABILITY

Term 1

This module aims to give students an understanding of the basics of stochastic processes. The theory of
different kinds of processes will be described, and will be illustrated by applications in several areas. The
groundwork will be laid for further deep work, especially in such areas as genetics, finance, industrial
applications, and medicine.

Revision of basic ideas of probability. Important discrete and continuous probability distributions. Random
processes: Bernoulli processes, point processes. Poisson processes and their properties; Superposition, thinning
of Poisson processes; Non-homogeneous, compound, and doubly stochastic Poisson processes. Autocorrelation
functions. Probability generating functions and how to use them. General continuous-time Markov chains:
generator, forward and backward equations, holding times, stationarity, long-term behaviour, jump chain,
explosion; birth, death, immigration, emigration processes. Differential and difference equations and pgfs.
Finding pgfs. Embedded processes. Time to extinction. Queues. Brownian motion and its properties. Random
walks. Gambler’s ruin. Branching processes and their properties. Galton-Watson model. Absorbing and reflecting
barriers. Markov chains. Chapman-Kolmogorov equations. Recurrent, transient, periodic, aperiodic chains.
Returning probabilities and times. Communicating classes. The basic limit theorem. Stationarity. Ergodic
Theorem. Time-reversibility.

M3S8* TIME SERIES

Term 1

An introduction to the analysis of time series (series of observations, usually evolving in time) is given, which
gives weight to both the time domain and frequency domain viewpoints. Important structural features (e.g.
reversibility) are discussed, and useful computational algorithms and approaches are introduced. The module is
self-contained.

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Discrete time stochastic processes and examples. ARMA processes. Trend removal and seasonal adjustment.
General linear process. Invertibility. Directionality and reversibility in time series. Spectral representation.
Aliasing. Generating functions. Estimation of mean and autocovariance sequence. The periodogram. Tapering
for bias reduction. Parametric model fitting. Forecasting.

M3S9* STOCHASTIC SIMULATION

Term 1

Prerequisites: Material from M2S1 would form a firm foundation.

Computational techniques have become an important element of modern statistics (for example for testing new
estimation methods and with notable applications in biology and finance). The aim of this module is to provide an
up-to-date view of such simulation methods, covering areas from basic random variate generation to Monte Carlo
methodology. The implementation of stochastic simulation algorithms will be carried out in R, a language that is
widely used for statistical computing and well suited to scientific programming.

Pseudo-random number generators. Generalized methods for random variate generation. Monte Carlo
integration. Variance reduction techniques. Markov chain Monte Carlo methods (including Metropolis-Hastings
and Gibbs samplers). Monitoring and optimisation of MCMC methods. Introduction to sequential Monte Carlo
methods.

M3S14* SURVIVAL MODELS AND ACTUARIAL APPLICATIONS

Term 2

Survival models are fundamental to actuarial work, as well as being a key concept in medical statistics. This
module will introduce the ideas, placing particular emphasis on actuarial applications.

Explain concepts of survival models, right and left censored and randomly censored data. Introduce life table
data and expectation of life.
Describe estimation procedures for lifetime distributions: empirical survival functions, Kaplan-Meier estimates,
Cox model. Statistical models of transfers between multiple states, maximum likelihood estimators.
Binomial model of mortality. Counting process models and the Poisson model. Estimation of transition intensities
that depend on age.
Graduation and testing crude and smoothed estimates for consistency.

M3S16* CREDIT SCORING

Term 1

Prerequisites: Statistical Modelling 1 (M2S2) with some dependency on Statistical Modelling 2 (M3S2).

This course introduces the fundamentals of credit scoring and predictive analystics. We cover the aims and
objectives of scoring, along with legislative and commercial aspects. We consider issues regarding consumer
credit data: characteristics, transformations, data quality and transaction types. The concept of a statistical
scorecard is introduced and models developed using logistic regression, Naïve Bayes and decision tree
methods. Application and behavioural model types and characteristics, including segmented models are
explored. Basic methods of model selection, estimation and testing are considered, along with issues of
selection bias and reject inference. Probability of default (PD) models are introduced, along with probability
calibration and cost-basd measures for model assessment.
The R statistical package will be used to explore credit scoring models on example data.

M3S17* QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN RETAIL FINANCE

Term 2

Prerequisites: Essential - Credit Scoring 1 (M3/4S16). Useful – Statistical Modelling 2 (M3S2).

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This course explores advanced and new methods in retail finance, dealing with statistical modelling and
optimization problems. Core topics will be: behavioural models, profitability, fraud detection and regulatory
requirements.
Specific topic areas are:-
Survival models for credit scoring to determine time to default and include time varying information.
Roll-rate and Markov transition models to determine patterns of missed payments.
Mover-Stayer models of behaviour.
Profit estimation: concepts and use of behavioural models.
Setting optimal credit limits.
Fraud detection
Neural networks for fraud detection. Back-propagation and gradient descent methods.
Cost analysis of AUC and the H measure.
Expected Loss, PD, EAD and LGD models (using beta regression, Tobit and classification tree structures).
Regulation and portfolio-level analysis. Capital requirements. One-factor Merton-type model.
Asset correlation and mixed effects panel models.
The R statistical package will be used to explore a topic from the course based on a retail finance data set.

PROJECT
M3R RESEARCH PROJECT IN MATHEMATICS
Available only to Final Year BSc students

Supervised by Various Academic Staff

(Terms 2 & 3)

The main aim of this module is to give a deep understanding of a mathematical area/topic by means of a
supervised project in applied mathematics, mathematical physics, pure mathematics, numerical analysis or
statistics. The project may be theoretical and/or computational and the area/topic for each student is chosen in
consultation with the Department.

The module provides an excellent ‘apprenticeship in research’ and is therefore particularly strongly
recommended for BSc students who are considering postgraduate study leading to MSc/MPhil/PhD.

There is an oral presentation as part of the module assessment.

There will be a meeting in mid-November for students interested in the M3R and a required Research Skills
workshop at the start of Term 2.

OTHER “NON-MATHEMATICAL” MATHEMATICS MODULES

M3B The Mathematics of Business and Economics

Term 1

This module aims to:

Give a broad mathematical introduction to both microeconomics and macroeconomics with a particular emphasis
on the former.
Consider the motivations and optimal behaviours of both firms and consumers in the marketplace, and show how
this leads to the widely observed laws of supply and demand.
Look at the interaction of firms and consumers in markets of varying levels of competition.
Discuss the interplay of firms, households and the government on a microeconomic scale.

Syllabus:
Theory of the firm

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Profit maximisation for a competitive firm. Cost minimisation. Geometry of costs. Profit maximisation for a non-
competitive firm.
Theory of the consumer
Consumer preferences and utility maximisation. The Slutsky equation.
Levels of competition in a market
Consumers’ and Producers’ surplus. Deadweight loss.
Macroeconomic theory
Circular flow of income. Cross Domestic Product. Social welfare and allocation of income.

Mathematical Methods:
(Constraint) Optimisation. Quasi-concavity. Preferences relations and orders.

M3C Introduction to High Performance Scientific Computing

Term 1

High-performance computing centres on the solution of large-scale problems that require substantial
computational power. This will be a practical module that introduces a range of powerful tools that can be used to
efficiently solve such problems. By the end of the module, which will be examined by projects, students will be
prepared to tackle research problems using the tools of modern high-performance scientific computing in an
informed, effective, and efficient manner.

Contents:
Getting started: working with UNIX at the command line
Software version control with git and Bitbucket
Programming and scientific computing with Python
Modular programming with modern Fortran, using scientific libraries, interfacing Python and Fortran
OpenMP (with Fortran) for parallel programming of shared-memory computers
MPI (with Fortran) for programming on distributed-memory machines such as clusters
Cloud computing
Good programming practice: planning, unit testing, debugging, validation (to be integrated with the above topics
and the programming assignments.)

M3T COMMUNICATING MATHEMATICS

(Terms 2 & 3)

This module will give students the opportunity to observe and assist with teaching of Mathematics in local
schools. Entry to the module is by interview in the preceding June and numbers will be limited. It is required for
anyone on the Mathematics with Education degree coding.

For those selected there will follow a one day training course in presentation skills and other aspects of teaching.
Students will be assigned to a school where they will spend ten half days in Term 2, under the supervision of a
teacher. Assessment will be based on a portfolio of activities in the school, a special project, evaluation by the
school teacher and an oral presentation.

CENTRE FOR LANGUAGE, CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION/BUSINESS

SCHOOL
Students may consider broadening their study programme by taking advantage of the CLCC/Business School
provision.

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Note that Centre for Co-Curricular Studies modules extend throughout Terms 1 and 2 and some modules
may be examined in January. Taking the HSCS3006 Humanities Project normally also requires explicit
permission from the Centre for Co-Curricular Studies.

Module
Module Titles Terms ECTS Values
Codes
HGC31 Lessons from History 1+2 6
HGC33 Creative Futures 1+2 6
HSCS3001 Advanced Creative Writing 1+2 6
HSCS3002 History of Science, Technology and Industry 1+2 6
HSCS3003 Philosophy of Mind 1+2 6
HSCS3004 Contemporary Philosophy 1+2 6
HSCS3006 Humanities Project 1+2 6
HSCS3007 Conflict, Crime and Justice 1+2 6
HSCS3008 Visual Culture, Knowledge and Power 1+2 6
HSCS3011 Psychology of Music 1+2 6
HSCS3012 How do you Know? 1+2 6
HSCS2007 Music Technology 1+2 6
BS0808 Finance and Financial Management 2 6
BS0820 Managing Innovation 1 6

Syllabus and timetabling information can be viewed online at:

CLCC: http://www.imperial.ac.uk/horizons
Business School:
http://wwwf.imperial.ac.uk/business-school/programmes/undergraduate-study/bpes-programme/

Note that places in CLCC and Business School modules are normally limited and registration should be done
separately via the Centre for Co-Curricular Studies and Business School websites.

Note that a change in degree code registration can lead to your registration for a CLCC/ BPES module being
revoked, so you must contact the CLCC/ BPES programme if you are planning to make such a change. Save a
screenshot of your registration to help in any dispute.

IMPERIAL HORIZONS
The College has created the ‘Imperial Horizons’ programme to broaden students’ education and enhance their
career prospects. This programme is open to all undergraduate students.

The Department of Mathematics always endeavours to avoid timetabling Mathematics modules during the times
allocated for Horizons modules.

Note that modules on this programme (except for the ones listed separately above as approved modules
for 3rd year students) do not contribute to degree Honours marks but they do have an ECTS value of 6.

Further information about the ‘Horizons’ programme can be found at: http://www.imperial.ac.uk/horizons

BSC DEGREE COURSE CODING REQUIREMENTS

All modules within the Department are registered for G100, G103 Mathematics. To qualify for any degree a
student must satisfy the overall College requirements.

As well as the regular G100 degree, the department offers several specialist degree codings. To qualify for the
BSc codings G102, G125, G1F3, G1G3, G1GH, GG31, a suitable number of modules must eventually be passed
from subsets of the general list as follows:

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 G102 4 from Mathematics with Mathematical Computation
M3N7, M3N9, M3N10, M3SC, M3R, M3C, M3A47, M3A50.
G125 6 from Mathematics (Pure Mathematics)
M2PM5, M3P5, M3P6, M3P7, M3P8, M3P10, M3P11, M3P12, M3P14,
M3P15, M3P17, M3P18, M3P19, M3P20, M3P21, M3P22, M3P23,
M3P60, M3P65, M3R.
G1F3 6 from Mathematics with Applied Mathematics/Mathematical Physics
M2AM, M3A2, M3A4, M3A6, M3A7, M3A47, M3A10, M3PA16, M3F22,
M3A28, M3A29, M3A49, M3A50, M3A52, M3PA34, M3M6, M3M7,
M3M11, M3PA23, M3PA24, M3PA48, M3SC, M3R.
G1G3 6 from Mathematics with Statistics
M2S2, M3S1, M3S2, M3S4, M3S8, M3S9, M3S10, M3S12, M3S14,
M3S16, M3S17, M3R.

G1GH 6 from Mathematics with Statistics for Finance

M2S2, M3F22, M3S1, M3S2 M3S4, M3S7, M3S8, M3S9, M3S14,
M3S16, M3S17, M3SC, M3R.
GG31 6 from
Mathematics, Optimisation and Statistics
M2S2, M3N9, M3S1, M3S2, M3S4, M3S8, M3S9, M3S14, M3S16,
M3S17, M3SC, M3R.

It is generally possible to swap between the above BSc codings, subject to the stated requirements, at a fairly
late stage.

As part of the continuing review of the undergraduate programme of study, amendments to this list can be
expected, including changes in module numbering. Not all of the individual modules listed are offered every
session. The above are the normal requirements – the Department has the discretion to modify them.

FOUR YEAR (MSCI) DEGREES: G103/G104

Students are normally required to maintain a good level of performance in Mathematics (at Upper Second Class
level or better) in order to remain on this coding in their Third and Final Years – see page 3.

Note that the Third and Fourth Year syllabuses substantially overlap. If a module may be attended by both 3rd and
4th Year students then the 4th year students typically take an extended (2.5 hour) examination. (This replaces the
Mastery Examination, which operated before 2015.)

THE M4R PROJECT:

A fundamental part of the G103/G104 MSci degree is a substantial compulsory project (M4R) equivalent to two
lecture modules. The main aim of this module is to give a deep understanding of a particular area/topic by
means of a supervised project in some area of mathematics. The project may be theoretical and/or
computational and the area/topic for each student is chosen in consultation with the Department.

Arrangements for this project will be set in motion after the Third Year examinations. Students should
approach potential supervisors in an area of interest before the end of their Third Year and some
preparatory work should be performed over the vacation between the Third and Fourth Years. Work on the
project should continue throughout all three terms of the Fourth Year and submitted shortly after the Fourth Year
examinations.

G104: For those on a Maths with a year abroad coding, the third year is spent abroad at another university. G104
students should ideally negotiate with possible M4R supervisors by e-mail during their abroad, but this is not
always possible. On return to Imperial, students take the regular Year 4 MSci programme (with the additional
option of M3T.) On the rare occasion that a G104 student performs very poorly in their year away they may, at

30
the discretion of the Senior Tutor, be transferred to the BSc G100 Mathematics degree and take M3 subjects in
their Final Year.

For more complete details of the Fourth Year programme, the relevant documentation can be viewed online at:
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/natural-
sciences/departments/mathematics/study/students/undergraduate/programme-information/

CHANGE OF PROGRAMME – Tier 4 visa holders.

Holders of Tier 4 visas who are considering changing, or who are required to change between BSc and MSci
programmes should consult the information available at:

http://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/international-students/visas-and-immigration/changes-to-course-of-study/

and contact the International Student Support Team if necessary.

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