Mathematics (BSc)

Year 1

Linear Algebra

Linear algebra addresses simultaneous linear equations. You will learn about the properties of vector space, linear mapping and its representation by a matrix. Applications include solving simultaneous linear equations, properties of vectors and matrices, properties of determinants and ways of calculating them. You will learn to define and calculate eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a linear map or matrix. You will have an understanding of matrices and vector spaces for later modules to build on.

Differential Equations

Can you predict the trajectory of a tennis ball? In this module you cover the basic theory of ordinary differential equations (ODEs), the cornerstone of all applied mathematics. ODE theory proves invaluable in branches of pure mathematics, such as geometry and topology. You will be introduced to simple differential and difference equations and methods for their solution. You will cover first-order equations, linear second-order equations and coupled first-order linear systems with constant coefficients, and solutions to differential equations with one-and two-dimensional systems. We will discuss why in three dimensions we see new phenomena, and have a first glimpse of chaotic solutions.

Maths by Computer

By the end of this module you will find the computer to be a tool that can aid you throughout your life as a mathematician and, in particular, in many modules you will take at Warwick. You will be shown how the computer may be used, throughout all of mathematics, to enhance understanding, make predictions and test hypotheses. Using the software tool ‘Matlab’, you will learn how to graph functions and study vectors and matrices graphically and numerically.

Geometry and Motion

Geometry and motion are connected as a particle curves through space, and in the relation between curvature and acceleration. In this course you will discover how to integrate vector-valued functions and functions of two and three real variables. You will encounter concepts in particle mechanics, deriving Kepler’s Laws of planetary motion from Newton’s second law of motion and the law of gravitation. You will see how intuitive geometric and physical concepts such as length, area, volume, curvature, mass, circulation and flux can be translated into mathematical formulas, and appreciate the importance of conserved quantities in mechanics.

Foundations

It is in its proofs that the strength and richness of mathematics is to be found. University mathematics introduces progressively more abstract ideas and structures, and demands more in the way of proof, until most of your time is occupied with understanding proofs and creating your own. Learning to deal with abstraction and with proofs takes time. This module will bridge the gap between school and university mathematics, taking you from concrete techniques where the emphasis is on calculation, and gradually moving towards abstraction and proof.

Introduction to Abstract Algebra

This course will introduce you to abstract algebra, covering group theory and ring theory, making you familiar with symmetry groups and groups of permutations and matrices, subgroups and Lagrange’s theorem. You will understand the abstract definition of a group, and become familiar with the basic types of examples, including number systems, polynomials, and matrices. You will be able to calculate the unit groups of the integers modulo n.

Analysis I and II

Analysis is the rigorous study of calculus. In this module there will be considerable emphasis throughout on the need to argue with much greater precision and care than you had to at school. With the support of your fellow students, lecturers and other helpers, you will be encouraged to move on from the situation where the teacher shows you how to solve each kind of problem, to the point where you can develop your own methods for solving problems. By the end of the year you will be able to answer interesting questions like, what do we mean by `infinity'?

Probability A & B

If you’ve covered mathematical modules MA131 and MA132, this takes you further in your exploration of probability and random outcomes. Starting with examples of discrete and continuous probability spaces, you’ll learn methods of counting (inclusion–exclusion formula and multinomial co-efficients), and examine theoretical topics including independence of events and conditional probabilities. Using Bayes’ theorem and Simpson’s paradox, you’ll reason about a range of problems involving belief updates, and engage with random variables, learning about probability mass, density and cumulative distribution functions, and the important families of distributions. Finally, you’ll study variance and co-variance, including Chebyshev’s and Cauchy-Schwartz inequalities.

Year 2

Vector Analysis

The first part of the module provides an introduction to vector calculus. After a brief review of line and surface integrals, div, grad and curl are introduced and followed by the two main results, namely, Gauss' Divergence Theorem and Stokes' Theorem. The second part of the module introduces you to the rudiments of complex analysis leading up to the calculus of residues. You will be taught to work with functions of two or three variables and vector fields. You will see the theorems of Gauss and Stokes as generalisations of the fundamental theorem of calculus to higher dimensions.

Algebra I: Advanced Linear Algebra

On this course, you will develop and continue your study of linear algebra. You will develop methods for testing whether two general matrices are similar, and study quadratic forms. Finally, you will investigate matrices over the integers, and investigate what happens when we restrict methods of linear algebra to operations over the integers. This leads, perhaps unexpectedly, to a complete classification of finitely generated abelian groups. You will be familiarised with the Jordan canonical form of matrices and linear maps, bilinear forms, quadratic forms, and choosing canonical bases for these, and the theory and computation of the Smith normal form for matrices over the integers.

Analysis III

In this module, you will learn methods to prove that every continuous function can be integrated, and prove the fundamental theorem of calculus. You will discuss how integration can be applied to define some of the basic functions of analysis and to establish their fundamental properties. You will develop a working knowledge of the construction of the integral of regulated functions, study the continuity, differentiability and integral of the limit of a uniformly convergent sequence of functions, and use the concept of norm in a vector space to discuss convergence and continuity there. This will equip you with a working knowledge of the construction of the integral of regulated function.

Algebra II: Groups and Rings

This course focuses on developing your understanding and application of the theories of groups and rings, improving your ability to manipulate them. Some of the results proved in MA242 Algebra I: Advanced Linear Algebra for abelian groups are true for groups in general. These include Lagrange's theorem, which says that the order of a subgroup of a finite group divides the order of the group. You will learn how to prove the isomorphism theorems for groups in general, and analogously, for rings. You will also encounter the Orbit-Stabiliser Theorem, the Chinese Remainder Theorem, and Gauss’ theorem on unique factorisation in polynomial rings.

Differentiation

There are many situations in pure and applied mathematics where the continuity and differentiability of a function f: Rn → Rm has to be considered. Yet, partial derivatives, while easy to calculate, are not robust enough to yield a satisfactory differentiation theory. In this module you will establish the basic properties of this derivative, which will generalise those of single-variable calculus. You will also study norms on infinite-dimensional vector spaces and some applications. By the end of this module you will have a basic working knowledge of higher-dimensional calculus.

Second Year Essay

This module is made up of an essay and presentation. You will be given the opportunity of independent study with guidance from a Personal Tutor. It will provide you with an opportunity to learn some mathematics directly from books and other sources. It will allow you to develop your written and oral exposition skills. You will be able to develop your research skills, including planning, use of library and of the internet.