Module Choices 2009/10 (and planned modules for 2010/11)

Programme Catalogue - Check here about your programme rules and the modules available for your programme
Module Catalogue - Find module descriptions for all University modules, search by subject, elective, etc.
General Advice about choosing modules
Advice for specific levels:   Level 1     -     Level 2   Pure  Applied   Stats  Teaching   -     Level 3&5   Pure  Applied   Stats
Lecturers in 2009/10
Electives - Rules for Maths students on choosing electives
Level 3 & 5 Maths modules planned to be offered in 2010/11



General Advice

Apart from this informal guide, there are plenty of other resources to help you with your module choices:
Some questions you should ask yourself:
  • Which areas of maths do you find most interesting and enjoyful?
  • Which areas of maths do you find easiest to understand?
  • If you already have a career in mind, which are the relevant modules? (Consult the Careers Centre.)
  • What are the prerequisites for modules you plan to take the year after?
Answers to these questions vary enormously among students!
Don't take anecdotal evidence too seriously.
Make up your own mind!

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Level 1

Maths (1MM)  -
You have 40 credits to choose.
  • Don't base your choices on your experience from highschool. For example, some students don't take statistics in their first year, since they did not like it in highschool, and regret it later. Same applies to geometry! University maths is quite different from maths in school.
  • Math 1382 (Fundamentals of Particle Dynamics) is a prerequisite for some applied maths modules at level 2.
  • MATH 1725 (Introduction to Statistics) is a prerequisite for many statistics modules at level 2.

Stats (1MM)  You have 30 credits to choose.
  • Don't base your choices on your experience from highschool! For example, some students don't take geometry in their first year, since they did not like it in highschool, and regret it later.  University maths is quite different from maths in school.
  • Math 1382 (Fundamentals of Particle Dynamics) is a prerequisite for some applied maths modules at level 2.

Maths with Finance (1MK) 
No choices to make.

Mathematical Studies (1MX) 
You can choose 40 credits of electives.
  • A full catalogue of electives is available on the web at  http://www.leeds.ac.uk/electives
  • You are encouraged to choose all your electives from the same subject area.

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Level 2  -  Pure Maths  -  Applied Maths  -  Statistics  -  Teaching of Maths

Not all of these modules might be options for your programme!

Pure Maths   -   Level 2
MATH 2015 - Analysis 2 This modules is compulsory for Year 2 Mathematics students, and is a continuation of MATH1035 Analysis 1.
MATH 2033 - Rings, Polynomials and Fields This module builds on topics covered in group theory and linear algebra, and is a prerquisite for MATH3193/5193, MATH3285, MATH5285, and MATH5245.
MATH 2040 - Mathematical Logic 1 Even though this module has no modules as prerequisite, it requires an understanding of formal mathematical language and proof writing. It is very abstract. Leeds offers a wide range of modules in logic at the higher level, and this one is essential for all of them.
MATH 2051 - Geometry of Curves and Surfaces This modules builds on topics covered in calculus and linear algebra. The objects of study are curves and surfaces. It is a prerequisite for modules in differential geometry.
MATH 2080 - Further Linear Algebra This module builds on MATH 1060, and is prerequisite for a number of level 3 modules. (only for Math. Studies, Maths with Finance, and Joint Honours students)
MATH 2090 - Real and Complex Analysis This module covers the basic core of analysis, the theoretical foundations for calculus and differential equations. (only for Math. Studies, Maths with Finance, and Joint Honours students)
MATH 2210 - Introduction to Discrete Mathematics This module introduces combinatorial concepts relating to counting problems, graph theory, and the abstract notion of computable functions.


Applied Maths   -   Level 2
MATH 2340 - The Mathematics of Music
This is an essay-based module which aims to discuss how mathematics has affected the science and culture of musical theory and composition.
MATH 2391 - Nonlinear Differential Equations This module builds on techniques from MATH1970 or similar and introduces new methods for solving equations.
MATH 2410 - Special Relativity This module uses mechanics and vector calculus to describe remarkable physical phenomena, and is a pre-requisite for the level 3 general relativity module.
MATH 2420 - Multiple Integrals and Vector Calculus (only for Math. Studies and Joint Honours students) This module continues the study of ordinary differential and integral calculus in two and three dimensions. It is essential for the further study in many areas of applied mathematics.
MATH 2431 - Fourier Series, Partial Differentail Equations, and Transforms (only for Math. Studies and Joint Honours students) This module covers Fourier series and Fourier and Laplace transforms and their applications to the solution of classical Partial Differential Equations of real-world problems in mathematical physics.
MATH 2600 - Numerical Analysis Although knowledge of a computing language is not necessary, this module will interest students with an interest in using computers to aid mathematical solutions.
MATH 2620 - Fluid Dynamics This module is a prerequisite for many modules in astrophysical and geophysical fluid dynamics at higher level.
MATH 2650 - Calculus of Variations
This module extends ideas of maximizing and minimizing to more complicated
situations, and fundamental results are applied to many real-world problems.


Statistics   -   Level 2
MATH 2715 - Statistical Methods
We recommend the following bundles of modules, depending on your interests.

If you have only a passing interest in Statistics, but wish to keep your options open, take at
least one of MATH2715, MATH2735.  This will mean you have sufficient prerequisites for at
least half of the level 3 modules in Statistics.  MATH2715 takes a more mathematical approach to statistical methods, while MATH2735 is more concerned with practical issues of using statistical techniques to model data.

If you have a moderate interest in Statistics, we recommend that you take both MATH2715 and MATH2735, and possibly one semester 2 Statistics module as well.

If you wish to specialise in Statistics, we recommend that you take MATH2715 and MATH2735
plus at least 2 of the semester 2 modules.

In addition, if you have particular interest in financial applications, you should take MATH2750,
even if you take no other Statistics modules this year.

MATH 2735 - Statistical Modelling
MATH 2740 - Environmental Statistics
MATH 2750 - Introduction to Markov Processes
MATH 2770 - Medical Statistics


Consider the following modules if you are interested in the Teaching of Mathematics
  • MATH 2800 - Maths into Schools. There is an info meeting for this module on 27.April 2009 at 11am in the Leonard Rogers room (Level 8 School of Maths).
  • EDUC 2071 - School Mathematics from an Advanced Undergraduate Perspective.

Level 3 (for BSc and MMath students)    &      Level 5 (for MMath students. For BSc students in special cases) 

Not all of these modules might be options for your programme !

A few things to keep in mind:
  • MMath students are encouraged to think about their plans for Year 4 when choosing modules for Year 3.
  • Some modules are not offered every year. Check the list below for what is currently planned to be offered in which years.
  • Some level 3 modules are "co-taught" with a level 5 module.  This usually means that they have common lectures, but students taking the module at level 5 have some extra material to work through, and take a different exam. MMath students can only take either the level 3 or the level 5 version of such a module.
  • In addition to the modules listed below, the following project modules are available (depending on the rules for your programme):
    • MATH3000 Information Skills in Mathematics (10 credits over Semester 1 & 2)
    • MATH3082 Project in Pure Mathematics 1 (15 credits, Semester 1)
    • MATH3083 Project in Pure Mathematics 2 (15 credits, Semester 2)
    • MATH3422 Project in Applied Mathematics (15 credits, Semester 1 & 2)
    • MATH3752 Project in Statistics 1 (15 credits, Semester 1)
    • MATH3753 Project in Statistics 2 (15 credits, Semester 2)
    • MATH5082 Assignments in Pure Mathematics (35 credits, Semester 1 & 2)
    • MATH5422 Assignments in Applied Mathematics (35 credits, Semester 1 & 2)
    • MATH5812 Assignments in Statistics (35 credits, Semester 1 & 2)

The following list groups the level 3 and 5 modules by area. Some modules appear in more than one area.


Pure Maths   -   Level 3 & 5
General Area
Modules
Algebra and Number Theory MATH 3044 Number Theory
MATH 3071 Groups and Symmetry
MATH 3171 Algebra and Numbers (only for Joint Honours and Mathematical Studies students)
MATH 3193/5193 Algebras and Representations
MATH 3152 Coding Theory
MATH 5245 Fields and Galois Theory (not running in 2009/10)
MATH 5253 Commutative Algebra and Algebraic Geometry

Analysis & Topology
MATH 3181 Inner Product and Metric Spaces (only for Joint Honours and Mathematical Studies students)
MATH 3215 Hilbert Spaces and Fourier Analysis
MATH 3224 Topology
MATH 5015 Linear Analysis 1
MATH 5016 Linear Analysis 2
Discrete Mathematics
MATH 3032 Graph Theory
MATH 3142 Combinatorics
MATH 3152 Coding Theory
Geometry
MATH 3024 Homotopy and Surfaces
MATH 3112/5031 Differential Geometry
MATH 3232 Transformation Geometry
MATH 5253 Commutative Algebra and Algebraic Geometry
Mathematical Logic
MATH 3102/5102 Mathemtical Logic 2
MATH 3123/5123 Set Theory (not running in 2009/10)
MATH 3163/5163 Computability and Unsolvability
MATH 3285/5285 (Basic) Model Theory


Applied Maths  -   Level 3 & 5
General Area
Modules to be offered in 2009/10. Modules planned to be offered in 2010/11.
Astrophysical and Geophysical Fluid Dynamics
MATH 3375/5375 Hydrodynamic Stability MATH 3374/5374 Linear and Non-linear Waves
MATH 3456/5456 Magnetohydrodynamics

MATH 3501 Modelling with Fluids (for Mathematical Studies and Joint Honours students)
Differential Equations and Numerical Methods
MATH 3475/5475 Modern Numerical Methods MATH 3365/5365 Mathematical Methods
MATH 3341 Partial Differential Equations with Applications (for Mathematical Studies and Joint Honours students)
MATH 3414 Analytic Solutions to Partial Differential Equartions
MATH 3474 Numerical Methods
Integrable Systems
MATH 3355/5355 Hamiltonian Systems MATH 3491/5491 Discrete Systems and Integrability
Mathematical Physics
MATH 3385/5385 Quantum Mechanics
MATH 3435/5435 Electromagnetism
MATH 3445/5445 General Relativity

MATH 3531 Cosmology
Mathematics in Biology and Medicine

MATH 3565/5565 Mathematical Biology
Dynamical Systems
MATH 3397/5397 Nonlinear Dynamics MATH 3396/5396 Dynamical Systems
Polymer and Complex Fluids
MATH 3451/5451 Polymeric Fluids



Statistics   -   Level 3 & 5  - to be offered in 2009/10
MATH 3713/5713 (Robust) Regression and Smoothing
For students taking only a small component of statistics, we recommend choosing from the "core" modules of MATH3713, MATH 3723, andMATH3802.  Other statistics modules cover more specialised areas of statistics.

If you are interested in finance, take MATH3733 and MATH3802.

If you are interested in bio-medical applications of statistics, take MATH3880  (plus MATH5840 if you are doing the MMath).

For MMath students, we recommend that you do not take the level 3 version of these modules but take the level 5 versions instead; this can be in your third or fourth year.  Taking the level 5 versions in your third year will not disadvantage you and will allow you to take a greater number of credits in Statistics overall.

Students wishing to specialise exclusively in statistics at level 5 should note that separate M.Sc. degrees in Statistics and Statistics with Applications to Finance are available at Leeds.  If you might be interested in pursuing this option instead of taking the MMath, please speak to a member of the Statistics Department as you need to make appropriate module choices in year 3.

Finally, notice that if you take enough credits in Statistics modules then you may, if you wish, graduate with Statistics as your degree title instead of Mathematics. You may also qualify for the status of GradStat, the first step to being awarded Chartered Statistician status.  Please ask if you wish to know more about these options.



MATH 3723 Statistical Theory
MATH 3733 Stochastic Financial Modelling
MATH 3802/5802 Time Series/and Spectral Analysis
MATH 3823/5823 Generalized Linear Models / and Survival Ananlysis
MATH 3880/5880 (Introduction to) Statistics and DNA
MATH 5835 Statistical Computing
MATH 5840 Hidden Markov Models for Biological Sequence Analysis




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