Mathematics

maths

Mathematics at Sidney is taught in a friendly atmosphere where students are expected to take charge of their own education from the moment they arrive. It is aimed at young men and women who have both excellent technical ability and a passion for the subject. The course is demanding, stressing both the pure side of the subject through the introduction of rigour and proof and the applied side through connections with physics, statistics and modelling.

Sidney Sussex is among the smaller colleges, and normally takes between 6 and 8 mathematics students each year. This results in a close-knit group of students who quickly get to know each other well and collaboration and discussion is encouraged.

Teaching

Mathematics undergraduate at Cambridge consists of lectures given by the department and supervisions given by the college. The lectures are compulsory, and are the same for all students from all colleges. There are typically 4 courses each term, with each having 3 lectures per week (so 12 lectures in total each week, with 2 a day Monday-Saturday). The lecturer provides exercise sheets that students are expected to work on in their own time. Some of these are quite challenging, and only the most able of students are able to solve all the problems. The supervisions are arranged by the colleges, typically last an hour and are held in pairs (two students and one supervisor) and consists of talking over the exercises that students have not been able to do. There are usually two supervisions a week, one in a Pure subject and one in an Applied subject. Examinations are arranged by the department, and are the same for students from all colleges.

Close consultation and supervision on subject choices, course work and progress is given by the Directors of Studies in Mathematics. In Sidney Sussex College, these are Dr Berry Groisman (Applied Mathematics) and Dr Julius Ross (Pure Mathematics).

Admissions

The selection of students to read Mathematics at Sidney is based on their mathematical ability and promise. Offers are made based on a combination of performance in interview, A-level results and STEP results. Most students who apply have taken or are in the process of taking Mathematics, Further Mathematics and at least one related subject (often Physics or another Science). It is not necessary to have taken Further Mathematics A-level to apply. However most students who apply having only taken a single mathematics A-level do so because the Further Mathematics was not available to them, and if an offer is made such students should expect to do some additional work over the summer before they arrive.

The most common offers consist of A*AA at A Level plus a 1 in each of two STEP papers (usually STEP papers 2 and 3). Candidates offering Mathematics at A2 and Further Mathematics at AS are also welcomed and, if made one, would likely receive a conditional offer of A*AA at A Level plus two grades 1 in STEP papers 1 and 2. Candidates offering different examinations, such as Scottish Advanced Highers are also welcome (see the link below). Like most other colleges. we usually make many more offers than we have places since we do not expect all to make their STEP offer.

It should be noted that the Department expects that all students should reach the same standard during the first eighteen months of the course, so that single subject mathematicians will not experience any lasting disadvantage through their not having studied two mathematics A Levels.

Students are neither encouraged nor discouraged from taking a gap year. Those who do so should expect to do some reading exercises to ensure they are not mathematically rusty when they return.

As indicated above, most applicants to the College offer Physics as well as Mathematics at A Level. However, a Physics A Level is not essential, and candidates have successfully applied in the past with quite different complementary subjects. However, the Mathematics course at Cambridge has a high Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics content, and so the College needs to be assured that candidates have sufficient physical understanding to benefit fully from the theory, and naturally this is one of the factors which will be assessed as part of the interview process. If any prospective applicant is uncertain as to the suitability of their qualifications for studying mathematics at Sidney Sussex, they are welcome to contact one of the Directors of Studies in Mathematics at the College for further advice.

The Mathematics Tripos

The Mathematical Tripos is a demanding course but you will receive lots of support from their Director of studies. Our other facilities are also excellent: the Faculty of Mathematics occupies the magnificent purpose-built Centre for Mathematical Sciences, a short walk or bike ride from Sidney Sussex College.

Sucessful applicants will be offered a place to study Parts IA, Part IB and Part II of the Mathematical Tripos, that normally takes three years, after which students earn a B.A. degree. In addition there is a one year Masters-level course (Part III) that takes the top students fro Part II, and some of the stongest students from other universities from around the world. Following Faculty guidlines, admission to Part III for internal candidates from Sidney requires either a first class in Part II or demonstration of first class potential. This fourth year is completely optional, and students are not required to decide if they wish to take it until after Part II. The college welcomes external applicants for Part III whose have taken a mathematics or physics degree at another university.

Year 1 ( Part IA)

There are two options:

Option (a) Pure and Applied Mathematics, for students intending to continue with Mathematics

Option (b) Mathematics with Physics

The second option is intended for students with a strong interest in mathematics who may want to change to Physics after the first year. You can continue with Mathematics after taking Option (b), or change to Physics after taking Option (a), but this may involve extra work over the long vacation.

Year 2 (Part IB)

There is a wider range of courses, including Algebra, Analysis, Geometry, Electromagnetism, Fluid Dynamics and Statistics. Students are expected to take all, or nearly all of these, bearing in mind their probable Part II interests.

Year 3 (Part II)

In the third yer there are a large number of courses available (usually around 30), including courses in Number Theory, Geometry, Dynamics, Coding and Cryptography, Statistics, Fluids, Waves, Topology, Numerical Analysis, Financial Methods, Mathematics Biology and Logic. Students typically take around 8 courses over the year that are themed in a sensible way.

Year 4 (Part III)

The fourth year of the course, referred to simply as Part III, is famous throughout the mathematical world. The department offers a huge number of specialised courses (as many as 60) coming from a wide range of areas, including cominbatorics, number theory, geometry, statistics, fluid dynamics and theoretical physics. This course is aimed at those planning to go on to research level mathematics or science.