Taking Mathematics Further
Have you ever thought about studying mathematics further?
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There are a huge number of careers available to people with mathematics qualifications.
School Mathematics
All around the world, schoolchildren study mathematics. In our early years, we have all been taught to add, subtract, multiply and divide numbers. Every country uses the same symbols for arithmetic and so a pupil from China would recognise the mathematics in an Italian pupil’s schoolbook.
Early on in our mathematical education, we also learn about fractions, decimals and percentages and some basic properties of shapes like area, perimeter and symmetry.
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In most countries pupils begin to learn some more advanced concepts around the age of 11. This is the age when many schoolchildren begin to meet topics such as algebra, trigonometry and statistics.
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The purpose of learning mathematics is generally twofold; to prepare pupils to deal with the mathematics they meet at work and in everyday life and also to prepare those who wish to study mathematics further. It is usual that an examination will be taken around age 15 or 16.
This exam is likely to decide whether one is able to study mathematics further.
Advanced Mathematics
In most European countries, pupils make a choice around the age of 16 of which subjects to study for the next two or three years. Pupils who wish to study mathematics at a higher level will normally need to have performed well in their school examinations. This is the stage of education at which mathematics students are likely to meet calculus for the first time.
In the UK, many students study for an A Level in Mathematics and those who wish to study mathematics or science at university are encouraged to also study an A Level in Further Mathematics. Some top British universities may also have their own specialised mathematics entrance exams as competition for places can be fierce. For example, Cambridge University uses STEP papers and Oxford University uses the MAT test.
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Other countries differ in university mathematics entry requirements. Chinese students hoping for a place at university take the fearsome Gaokao whilst in Australia they study for the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education and in Iran all students hoping for a place at university must take the Konkur.
Undergraduate Degree
You can specialise in solely mathematics or you may combine it with other subjects such as physics or computing. Obtaining a mathematics degree opens up a huge number of career options.
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At university you will study many fascinating areas of mathematics including Chaos Theory, Topology, Differential Equations and Graph Theory. Many people find that university is where mathematics becomes a passion for the rest of their life.
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An undergraduate degree in mathematics will enable you to use the letters BSc after your name. BSc stands for ‘Bachelor of Science’. Degree courses are graded from First Class to Third Class with First Class being the highest degree available.
If you decide to study mathematics at a university, this is called ‘taking a degree’. You will be known as an ‘undergraduate’ until you complete your studies. This usually takes three or four years. Hopefully at this point you will be ready to ‘graduate’ with your degree.
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Postgraduate Study
If you successfully graduate with a degree, you may choose to take a Master of Science (MSc) postgraduate degree which normally lasts one year and will consist of taught modules and also some research. An MSc will put you in an excellent position to go on and work towards a Doctor of Philosophy Award. It also entitles you to the letters MSc after your name.
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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the next step on the way to becoming a professional mathematician. You will be expected to research an original area of mathematics and to publish your own thesis (a formally written research project) at the end. A PhD normally takes either three or four years to complete. On completion of a PhD, you will be entitled to call yourself Doctor and are now ready to become a professional mathematician.
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Professional mathematicians work in many fields including universities where they are expected to research new areas of mathematics and also to teach undergraduate and postgraduate students.
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