2011/2012

MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES

NFQ Level 8, Major Award

REGULATIONS AND PROGRAMME REQUIREMENTS

Students enter the Mathematical Sciences programmes through CK407 (Mathematical Sciences) Area of Study. In Second Year, two Single Honours BSc Degree Programmes are available to eligible students: Mathematical Sciences (various combinations of the subjects Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Statistics are taken in each of Years 2, 3 and 4 of the BSc Programme), and Financial Mathematics and Actuarial Science. In addition, eligible students may pursue a Joint Honours BSc Degree in either Applied Mathematics and Physics or in Mathematics and Physics.

Note: The BSc Single Honours Degree in Financial Mathematics and Actuarial Science does not seek to provide a professional training programme for the examinations of the Faculty and Institute of Actuaries. Graduates who wish to pursue an actuarial career may qualify for exemption from some of the professional actuarial examinations, depending on their performance and choice of electives, and will have the necessary preparation to undertake the remaining examinations.

ELIGIBILITY FOR ENTRY TO SECOND YEAR PROGRAMMES

Students from the Mathematical Sciences Area of Study (CK407) who pass First Science may opt to enter the Single Honours Mathematical Sciences programme or the Single Honours programme in Financial Mathematics and Actuarial Science.

Students from the Mathematical Sciences Area of Study (CK407) who take the Physics modules PY1052 and PY1053 in First Science, and who pass First Science, will be eligible to enter the Joint Honours programme in Applied Mathematics and Physics or Mathematics and Physics.

The programme structures for the Mathematical Sciences are outlined in Table 6.

TABLE 6. MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES

PROGRAMME REQUIREMENTS

The modules taken in the above programme structures are as follows:

BSc Single Honours - Mathematical Sciences

Note: Any elective module, selected in 4th year, must not have been taken in any previous year.

Module descriptions are contained in the Book of Modules, 2011/2012.

Examinations

Students who have passed Third Year may choose not to proceed to Fourth Year and may opt instead to be conferred with a BSc Ordinary Degree.

Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be available in the Marks and Standards 2012 Book, and for each module in the Book of Modules 2011/2012, in advance of the relevant Examination.

Three Year Rule

Students must pass the Second and Third University Examinations in Science - Mathematical Sciences within three academic years from the date of first registration for Second and Third Years respectively; Students must pass the BSc (Hons) (Mathematical Sciences) Degree Examination within three academic years from the date of first registration for Fourth Year. Failure to comply with this rule would mean that the student would be ineligible to proceed further with his/her studies. Exceptions to this rule may be granted by the College, only for very serious reasons.

BSc Single Honours - Financial Mathematics and Actuarial Science

Note:

• Any elective module, selected in 4th year, must not have been taken in any previous year.
• A module that has been chosen as a core module cannot also be chosen as an elective module.
• *Students can take at most 10 credits from AC4119, AC4205 and AC4403.
• ‡Students cannot take both ST4066 and ST4068 together.

Module descriptions are contained in the Book of Modules, 2011/2012.

Examinations

Students who have passed Third Year may choose not to proceed to Fourth Year and may opt instead to be conferred with a BSc Ordinary Degree.

Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be available in the Marks and Standards 2012 Book , and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2011/2012, in advance of the relevant Examination.

Three Year Rule

Students must pass the Second and Third University Examinations in Science - Financial Mathematics and Actuarial Science within three academic years from the date of first registration for Second and Third Years respectively; Students must pass the BSc (Hons) (Financial Mathematics and Actuarial Science) Degree Examination within three academic years from the date of first registration for Fourth Year. Failure to comply with this rule would mean that the student would be ineligible to proceed further with his/her studies. Exceptions to this rule may be granted by the College, only for very serious reasons.

BSc Joint Honours - Applied Mathematics and Physics or Mathematics and Physics

Note: The substitution of taught modules by Project modules requires special permission from the Head of the Department. Other Elective modules may be selected from outside the Physics Department with the approval of the Head of Department.

Module descriptions are contained in the Book of Modules, 2011/2012.

Examinations

Students who have passed Third Year may choose not to proceed to Fourth Year and may opt instead to be conferred with a BSc Ordinary Degree.

Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be available in the Marks and Standards 2012 Book, and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2011/2012, in advance of the relevant Examination.

Three Year Rule

Students must pass the Second and Third University Joint Honours Examinations in Science - Mathematical Sciences within three academic years from the date of first registration for Second and Third Years respectively; Students must pass the BSc Joint Honours (Mathematical Sciences) Degree Examination within three academic years from the date of first registration for Fourth Year. Failure to comply with this rule would mean that the student would be ineligible to proceed further with his/her studies. Exceptions to this rule may be granted by the College, only for very serious reasons.

Programme Learning Outcomes (Financial Mathematics and Actuarial Science)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Apply basic mathematical concepts, theories, principles and techniques for analysis of theoretical and practical problems of a mathematical nature
• Construct and work with basic financial-mathematical models that are used for financial prediction, contract valuation (including option valuation) and financial decision making
• Make use of mathematical software to analyze and solve problems in financial mathematics, actuarial science and related areas.
• Communicate effectively with the quantitative financial community and with the actuarial community
• Provide a grounding in the fundamental concepts of actuarial science as they affect the operation of insurance and other financial bodies
• Provide grounding in the mathematical and statistical techniques which can be used to model, analyze and manage risks
• Have the ability to present fundamental actuarial ideas and arguments to others outside the actuarial profession and use such ideas to analyze business and social issues and to formulate, justify and present plausible and appropriate solutions to business and social problems

Programme Learning Outcomes (Mathematical Sciences)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Apply their knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts, theories, principles and practical methods of the mathematical sciences to analyse and solve theoretical and practical problems.
• Give clear and organized written and verbal explanations of mathematical and statistical ideas.
• Demonstrate mastery of the core concepts of several areas of pure mathematics, applied mathematics and statistics.
• Extend course material to solve original problems.
• Recognize the interdependency of different areas of the mathematical sciences.
• Contribute effectively as members of project teams dealing with mathematical/statistical topics, including the delivery of oral presentations and written reports.