Mathematics Open Day

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MathematicsOpen Day

• Dr S Jain
• Information Engineering

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Talk Structure

• Why Mathematics?
• Content of the Programmes
• Teaching and Learning Methods
• Admission Requirements

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Programme Structure

• Modularised 120 credits/year
• (Single module 10 credits)
• 2 Semesters/year
• 60 credits/semester

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Mathematics Programmes

• Single Honours BSc Mathematics
• Mathematics Computing
• Major Mathematics (2/3 Mathematics 1/3 another
  subject)
• Combined Honours Mathematics (1/2 Mathematics
  1/2 another subject)
• Minor Mathematics (1/3 Mathematics 2/3 another
  subject)

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Mathematics Programmes
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Difference between the SH Programmes?

• Mathematics 20 credits of COMPUTING in first 2
  years
• Mathematics with Computing 2/3 MATHEMATICS 1/3
  COMPUTING in first 2 years

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Combined Honours

• Combine Mathematics with another subject-
• Biology, Business Administration, Chemistry,
  Computer Science, English Language, French,
  German, Spanish, Geographical Information
  Systems, Public Policy Management, Sociology.

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Mathematics Major with a Minor in Economics, Law,
French or German
Mathematics Minor with a Major in French, German
or Sociology
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Transfers?

• Yes!
• Transfers are permitted between Programmes
• The sooner the better!

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Course Structure
Year 1 Foundational Mathematics
Year 2 Intermediate Mathematics
Optional Placement Year
Final Year Advanced Mathematics
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Mathematics Programmes
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Mathematics Programmes

• 3 year Full Time
• Or
• 4 year Sandwich

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Mathematics Support Centre(Learning Support
Centre)

• Drop-in
• Support basic mathematics skills
• Opening hours
• Monday Friday 10.00 am 5.00 pm

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Teaching Methods

• Lectures (2 periods of 11 weeks)
• Tutorials (1 hour for 2 hours teaching)
• Private Study (Coursework)
• Lab work
• Contact (9 9) hours/week

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Typical Breakdown
Lectures 22 hours
Module 100 hours
Tutorials/Labs 11 hours
Private study Exams, Revision 67 hours
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Typical Module Assessment

• Module

Examination 80
Coursework 20
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Programme Highlights (Single Honours)

• Y1 Introductory Maths and IT, Transition
• Mathematics, Communication Skills
• Y2 Intermediate Maths IT
• Placement Year Opportunity to work in industry
  for a year, develop vocational skills, potential
  contacts and experience
• FY Advanced modules, project

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Minor 40 credits/year CH 60 credits/year Major
80 credits/year Single 120 credits/year
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Final Degree Classification

• Year 2 25
• Final Year 75

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Placement Year (Optional)

• Spend 1 year working in industry
• Develop appropriate vocational skills
• Understand better the job world
• Develop potential contacts and experience with
  employers
• Aston has good contacts and runs a placement
  office.
• Get paid! (14,000 15,000)

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Placement

• Line Manager
• Visiting Tutor
• 2 visits
• Log book
• Interim Report
• Final Report

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Typical Placements

• Sun Microsystems
• Dyson
• West Bromwich Building Society
• Lloyds TSB
• Prudential
• Corus
• IBM
• Morgan Stanley
• GCHQ

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Is it worth doing a Placement?Yes!

• 82 Aston graduates go into Graduate Track
  employment or further study within six months of
  graduation (2004-05) national average is 71
• Placement year improves final year study and
  future career prospects
• I would recommend doing the Aston University 12
  month industrial placement to anyone considering
  doing undergraduate study. It is an experience
  not to be missed and looks great on your CV!
• Damian Flynn, BEng Mechanical Engineering

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Careers?

• Investment analyst
• Actuarial training
• Criminal intelligence analyst
• National security mathematician
• Data security specialist
• Software strategist
• Innovation, RD and start-up companies

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Career ProspectsMathematics Destinations

• A Marketing, sales, PR advertising 2.9
• B Commercial, industrial public sector
  managers 9.0
• C Scientific research, analysis development
  occupations 0.6
• D Engineering professionals 1.2
• E Health Professionals 0.4
• F Education professionals 12.0
• G Business finance and associate
  professionals 28.8
• H Information technology professionals
  5.4
• L Other professional, associate professional
  technical occupations 2.7
• M Numerical Clerks and Cashiers 9.9
• NOther Clerical and Secretarial 11.7
• O Retail, Catering, Waiting and Bar Staff 5.9

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Graduate Employment
2002 Aston 80 National 66
The Times (2005) 4th best in the UK for
employability!
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Mathematics Employment
a In UK employment 52.6 b In overseas
employment 2.5 c Studying in the UK for a
higher degree 17.0 d Studying in the UK for a
diploma, certificate or professional
qualification in teaching (including
PGCE) 6.9 e Undertaking other further study or
training in the UK 3.9 f Undertaking further
study or training overseas 0.7 g Not available
for employment, study or training 6.9 h
Believed to be unemployed 8.6 i Seeking
employment, study or training 0.9
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Average Graduate Salaries(based on 01/05/2004
and 30/04/2005. )
Average
Upper
Lower
Jobs
Subject
20518
35000
96
12000
MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES
17
LIFE SCIENCES
24000
35000
12000
184
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
18927
18558
33306
13581
15
SOCIAL STUDIES
28000
10000
167
BUSINESS ADMIN STUDIES
17620
16388
22500
12000
54
PHYSICAL SCIENCES
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Course Requirements

• A2 level 280 2Bs and 1C
• A2/AS level 280-300 points
• Minimum of B in Maths (A2)
• (Minimum of C in Maths for Combined Honours
  
• and Minor Maths.)
• GNVQ Distinction with 6 additional units

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Fees and Bursaries

• School of Engineering and
• Applied Science

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• Course information desks in the upper foyer of
  the Main Building
• The fee for 08 entry is likely to be 3,145 per
  year

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Fees and Bursaries

• Placement bursaries
• Bursaries (based on LEA assessments)
• Automatic no need to apply
• Do not have to be repaid!

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Placement Awards in SEAS

• Placement Bursary of 1,000 for all subjects
• (1,500 for overseas and unpaid placements)
• Fee expected to be 1575
• Usually paid in February
• Subject to satisfactory continuation each year
• www.aston.ac.uk/fees

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Aston University Bursary

• (To be increased in line with inflation)
• Aston Bursary (family income based)
• Expected to be an exact sliding scale but as a
  guide only
• Up to 17,500 750 p.a.
• 17,501-20,000 634 p.a.
• 20,001-25,000 403 p.a.
• 25,00130,000 231 p.a.
• 30,001-32,000 173 p.a.
• 32,001-35,000 85 p.a.
• 35,001-36,000 55 p.a.
• Above 36,001 no bursary

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Contact Information

• http//www.maths.aston.ac.uk
• http//www.aston.ac.uk/combhons/
• Aston University 0121 204 3652