Mathematics & Philosophy BSc, Mathematics & Philosophy with a year abroad BSc

Course detail Description

Mathematics has been studied at King’s College London throughout its history and the first Professor of Mathematics was appointed in 1830. Since then we have established a record of accomplishments in central areas of pure mathematics and applied mathematics.

The majority of mathematics modules that you will take are the same as those taken by single honours mathematicians. However, some modules have been devised with joint honours students in mind.

In the Department of Philosophy we are able to offer an extremely wide range of modules, including subjects such as Indian philosophy and medieval philosophy, which are offered by very few other universities in the UK. Study of these options builds upon the solid foundation of required modules in the first and second years, although with an increasing level of choice as you progress.

In your first year you must take five mathematics modules (four required and one optional) and three philosophy modules (one from each of the History, Value and Theory groups).

In the second year, students must take four mathematics modules (one required Analysis module and three optional modules) and four philosophy modules (from at least two of the History, Value and Theory groups).

Students on the four year Mathematics & Philosophy BSc course will spend their third year studying abroad at a partner institution. In the final year, there is more flexibility and you may take up to five modules from mathematics or philosophy. The modules run in each academic year are subject to change in line with staff availability and student demand, so there is no guarantee every module will run.

In your philosophy modules, we aim to combine a wide range of study options with direct contact with our staff. Our emphasis on small-group teaching in tutorials and seminars makes King’s an excellent place to acquire and develop the skills of critical thinking, and to express your ideas both in writing and in philosophical discussion. Mathematics teaching is predominantly through lectures, which are supplemented by tutorials and classes. Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written/practical examinations. The primary method of assessment for this degree is written examination. Other methods may typically include essays, practical examination, oral presentation, reports, class tests and projects. The nature of assessment varies by module.

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Structure

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Year 3

Year 1

The course is divided into modules and each year you will normally take modules totalling 120 credits.

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to- date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change.

In your first year, you will take 75 credits from Mathematics and 45 credits from Philosophy.

Mathematics

In your first year you are required to take:

• Calculus I (15 credits)
• Calculus II (15 credits)
• Linear Algebra and Geometry I (15 credits)
• Sequences and Series (15 credits)
• Introduction to Dynamical Systems (15 credits)

Philosophy

In your first year you are required to take one module from each of these three groups which may typically include:

Group A

• Greek Philosophy I (15 credits)
• Modern Philosophy I (15 credits)

Group B

• Ethics I (15 credits)
• Political Philosophy I (15 credits)

Group C

• Metaphysics (15 credits)
• Epistemology I (15 credits)
• Methodology (15 credits)

Year 2 Required Modules

Mathematics

In your second year you are required to take the following modules:

• Introduction to Algebra (15 credits)
• Real Analysis (15 credits)
• Linear Algebra and Geometry II (15 credits)

Philosophy

You are required to take three modules from at least two of the following groups, each of which may typically include:

Group A

• Greek Philosophy II: Plato (15 credits)
• Greek Philosophy II: Aristotle (15 credits)
• Modern Philosophy II: Locke & Berkeley (15 credits)
• Modern Philosophy II: Spinoza & Leibniz (15 credits)

Group B

• Ethics II: History of Ethical Philosophy (15 credits)
• Ethics II: Contemporary Ethical Philosophy (15 credits)
• Political Philosophy II: History of Political Philosophy (15 credits)
• Topics in Applied Ethics and Politics (15 credits)

Group C

• Epistemology II (15 credits)
• Metaphysics II (15 credits)
• Philosophy of Language (15 credits)
• Philosophy of Mind(15 credits)
• Intermediate Logic (15 credits)
• Philosophy of Physics I: Space & Time (15 credits)

Mathematics

You are also required to choose one further module from a range of optional modules which may typically include:

• Introduction to Number Theory (15 credits)
• Classical Dynamics (15 credits)
• Probability and Statistics I (15 credits)
• Complex Analysis (15 credits)
• Applied Differential Equations (15 credits)
• Geometry of Surfaces (15 credits)
• Discrete Mathematics (15 credits)

Philosophy

In addition, you are required to take another 15 credit module, either from the list of core modules above or from a wide selection of optional modules which may typically include:

• Topics in Greek Philosophy (15 credits)
• Indian Philosophy: The Orthodox Schools (15 credits)
• Philosophy of Mathematics (15 credits)
• Medieval Philosophy (15 credits)
• Philosophy of Psychology (15 credits)
• First-Order Logic (15 credits)
• Aesthetics (15 credits)
• Gender & Philosophy (15 credits)
• Topics in Modern Philosophy (15 credits)
• Topics in Political Philosophy (15 credits)
• 19th OR 20th Century Continental Philosophy (NB the 19th & 20th Century Continental Philosophy Modules run in alternate years) (15 credits)
• Topics in Philosophy of Language (15 credits)

Year 3 Required Modules Optional Modules

Mathematics

In your third year, there are no required modules. Instead, you take at least 45 credits in Mathematics from a broad list of options, which may typically include:

• Applied Differential Equations (15 credits)
• Classical Dynamics (15 credits)
• Mathematical Theory of Collective Behaviour (15 credits)
• Complex Analysis (15 credits)
• Topology (15 credits)
• Special Relativity & Electromagnetism (15 credits)
• Introductory Quantum Theory (15 credits)
• Third Year Project (15 credits)
• Rings & Modules (15 credits)
• Numerical and Computational Methods (15 credits)
• Mathematical Finance I: Discrete Time (15 credits)
• Theory of Complex Networks (15 credits)
• Geometry of Surfaces (15 credits)
• Introduction to Number Theory (15 credits)
• Groups and Symmetries (15 credits)
• Probability & Statistics II (15 credits)
• Discrete Mathematics (15 credits)
• Galois Theory (15 credits)
• University Ambassador Scheme (15 credits)
• Space-time Geometry & General Relativity (15 credits)
• Mathematical Finance II: Continuous Time (15 credits)
• Representation Theory of Finite Groups (15 credits)
• Mathematical Biology (15 credits)

Philosophy

In your third year, there are no required modules. Instead, you are required to take at least 45 credits in Philosophy from a broad list of optional modules. Between 30 to 45 credits must be from the level 6 options, depending on your overall philosophy credit total. The remaining modules may be at level 5 or 6 and may typically include:

• Dissertation (30 credits)
• Topics in Greek Philosophy (15 credits)
• Indian Philosophy: The Orthodox Schools (15 credits)
• Philosophy of Mathematics (15 credits)
• Medieval Philosophy (15 credits)
• Philosophy of Psychology (15 credits)
• First-Order Logic (15 credits)
• Aesthetics (15 credits)
• Gender & Philosophy (15 credits)
• Topics in Modern Philosophy (15 credits)
• Topics in Political Philosophy (15 credits)
• 19th OR 20th Century Continental Philosophy (NB the 19th & 20th Century Continental Philosophy Modules run in alternate years) (15 credits)
• Topics in Philosophy of Language (15 credits)
• Utilitarianism (15 credits)
• Foundations of Analytic Philosophy (15 credits)
• Indian Philosophy: The Heterodox Schools (15 credits)
• Philosophy of Science (15 credits)
• Ethics of Science & Technology (15 credits)
• Mathematical Logic: Limitative Results (15 credits)
• Topics in the Philosophy of Mind (15 credits)
• Morality and Convention (15 credits)
• Neoplatonism (15 credits)
• Philosophy of Psychology II (15 credits)
• Topics in Metaphysics (15 credits)
• Philosophy of Physics II: Quantum Mechanics (15 credits)