Electives

List of Electives taken by Maths students
- with their comments

Thanks to all the students who sent in comments !!

Please note that the comments represent the opinion of the individual student and should be read as such.
Please send comments about electives not on this list or further comments for electives listed below to m.messmer @ leeds.ac.uk.

Module Code	Module Title	Students' Comments
BMSC2214	Introduction to Toxicology	Very interesting.But I have found this module has taken up a large amount of my time and I feel I am struggling as I do not have enough of a biology background. I think this module is more suited to someone on a related course or who knows some biology already.
CIVE2103	Structural Design of Concrete	An interesting course with fun lab work, although design processes lead to a fair amount of tedious calculations.
CIVE2121	Structural and Stress Analysis 2.2	Good for anyone interested in the mechanics of structures. Not a particularly difficult course.
Both of the above courses I recommend for anyone interested in getting into civil and structural engineering. Especially for those looking for a gateway into a structural engineering masters course. Other courses recommended for those that do are CIVI21707 - Structural design of steel, and CIVI2500 - Geotechnics, although the latter course is fairly boring.
CLAS1801	Fast-Track Ancient Greek 1	I would recommend this module; interesting, fun, but goes at a very fast pace and would be difficult if you didn't know any Greek or Latin beforehand.
COLO1070	The Art and Science of Photography and Imaging	interesting module which includes some chemistry (film developing etc), some physics (lenses etc) and some art.
COLO1120	Introductory Polymer Science	interesting module with half chemistry and half biology. In depth background Chemistry knowledge required.
COMP1036	Computer Programming	All on the vle, there are 3 assignments each larger and more complicated than the other. Connects well with mathematics.
CSER2101	Career Development 1	Helpful practice for career planning and interviews, all coursework, a bit of essay writing. Really good preperation for the graduate recruitment process. Work isn't too difficult and quite interesting.
DESN1705	Drawing 1A	must enjoy drawing because you have to dedicate a lot of time to the module but it's nice to have that difference from maths once a week. Not for people who want to learn how to draw.
DESN2633	Colour: Art & Science	VERY enjoyable. No pre-requisites are needed, but an interest in the physics and use of colour helps. I would definitely recommend this module.
DESN2711	not listed in 09/10	fun, coursework only, module using photoshop
FLTU1320	Lower Intermediate French	Bit rushed due to only having one hour a week. Not much opportunity to follow up. Certainly encourages independent work
FLTU1420	Lower Intermediate German	Bit rushed due to only having one hour a week. Not much opportunity to follow up. Certainly encourages independent work
FLTU1432	not listed in 09/10	one 2-hour class a week of German, for people who've studied it up to GCSE but no further. A good boost for those interested in doing a year abroad in a German speaking country, or just want to remember a bit of German from school. Also involves a couple of short presentations, so good for practising speaking in front of people.
FLTU1443	Advanced German	great for improving language skills and meeting non-maths student.
FLTU1800	Beginners Spanish	A break from the intensity of the maths lectures, quite fun, lots of simple homeworks set, only once a week for a year!
FLTU1803	Beginners Spanish	(1) very interesting, would definitely recommend Spanish to everyone who wants to learn a foreign language but cannot decide which one. (2) requires time input but rewarding and useful. (3) really interesting, easy compared with the maths modules and gives a good grounding in basic Spanish used on holiday, plus a handy addition to the CV. (4) Good modules to start, a bit vocational, and only a 2 hours session a week, so not much tutored practice.
FLTU 1827	Lower Intermediate Spanish	Good modules to start, a bit vocational, and only a 2 hours session a week, so not much tutored practice.
FLTU1901	Beginners Mandarin	it is fun to be in the class, learning new things, new culture, and also writing Chinese letters. It is enjoyable if sometimes we learn something which has nothing to do with maths.
FOOD1130	Traditional Alcoholic Beverages	interesting, unusual, and the practical part of the course is very enjoyable.
GEOG1100	Ecology and the Changing Climate	very interesting, quite advanced lectures but no homework
GEOG1212	Water and the Weather	Very enjoyable, syllabus isn't too much, only 1 multiple choice exam at the end of the module.
GEOG2920	Geography of Resources	Very interesting, only one 2500 word essay...would recommend especially if you have done either AS or A level Geography.
LAW1136	Understanding Crime	my favourite module as it's a really important issue in our society and so there are lots of examples in everyday life to help with seminars.
LEED1013	Skills in Sports and Outdoor Activities	Skills in Sports and Outdoor Activities - Theory and Practice (Hockey) ---- practical and enjoyable, not a lot of work.
LUBS1000	Innovation and Creativity in Business	fun to work in groups for a change, adds a creative element to an otherwise very academic timetable.
LUBS 1125	Economic Institutions: Labour	Relatively dull subject area (management/labour issues/Thatcherism etc). Lecturer not easy to understand. Exam and coursework but neither too challenging.
LUBS 1145	Current Topics in International Business	Quite an easy module with no examination; all coursework/presentation based. Content not challenging, much like some topics in GCSE Geography (Globalisation etc). Makes quite a nice change from Maths.
LUBS1235	Introductory Financial Accounting	Simple maths, lots of business terminology. Easy mathematics applied to business, excellent support from the business school which made learning managable.
LUBS1245	Introductory Management Accounting	Easy mathematics applied to business, excellent support from the business school which made learning managable.
LUBS2400	The International Economic Environment	really interesting but useful to have an A level background in Economics.
MUSI 1612	Intro to Music Technology	currently not listed. Weekly lectures and 100% multiple choice exam, but no praticals. An interesting module covering music studios and software used in them. Useful to know some basic physics beforehand, and needs a bit of extra reading, but is a fun module to do.
MUSI1815	The Guitar and its Musics	Very light workload, and also very interesting. I would highly recommend it to anyone. Very interesting. No previous knowledge of music or notation is assumed, and the module is well taught in my opinion. Revising for the exam is very different to revising for Mathematics exams though.
PHIL1005	The Mind	(1) Really interesting and thought provoking, a fair bit of reading but only two managable essays. A nice change. (2) Very, very interesting module, includes lots of deep philosophical questions which really get you thinking. I thoroughly enjoyed this module.
PHIL1711/ 1011(?)	Critical Thinking Skills	similar to MATH2040 Mathematical Logic 1 but in words not mathematical symbols. Very logical and interesting module.
PHIL2725	Environmental Ethics	topics rather dull, I did not enjoy this module.
PIED 1300	European Politics	Some very interesting topics covered that affect our everyday life. A lot of reading to keep up with but it helps you get a better grasp of Europe.
PHYS1141 not permitted for Maths students who have passed A-level Physics	The Origin and Nature of the Universe	an interesting module on astronomy for those who don't have an A-Level in Physics. Involves an introduction to relativity and lots of other interesting topics. There's a couple of pieces of coursework but the exam is multiple choice!
PHYS1180	Galaxies and the Universe	Very nice practical application of mathematics, requires some previous knowledge of physics although most concepts thoroughly explained. Excellent choice as an elective module.
PSYC1601	Introduction to Psychology	not as exciting as expected, loads of reading!
PSYC1611	Psychology and the Media	(1) Interesting, 100% multiple choice exam (2) really good to do a course outside maths which is related to current events, interesting course and multiple choice exam, not very much work needed for a high grade
PSYC1613	Sport and Exercise Psychology	Interesting, 100% mulitple choice exam, no lectures - all online. Thoroughly enjoyable module. All online, multiple choice exam, interesting syllabus and a well deserved break from maths. Great if you have taken an A level in PE.
SOEE1032	Dynamic Earth and Earth History	easy and fun, a nice break from mathematics
SPPO 1010	Practical Language Skills in Spanish	Very interesting course for advanced Spanish students, extremely friendly staff and well-taught. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking to continue their Spanish at university.
SPPO 2860	Intermediate Spanish	University level course, much more demanding, very regular homework, 3X1 hour sessions a week + a tutorial. Very good.
SPSC 2220	Field course	Really good fun. The work is very interesting as you choose an experiment of your choice, and the module is good for team building skills. This module is not available for 2011/2012 but the LEED modules are very similar.

Back to Student Resources