About This Course
Fact File
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Title
Arts
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Code
Subject available through multiple programmes
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Subject Title
Mathematical Studies
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College
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Qualifications
BA (Hons)
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Fees
See Fees and Costs for full details.
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Entry Requirements
See Requirements for full details.
Course Outline
This course in the theory and practice of mathematics is specially designed for students in the CACSSS who want to further develop their interest in mathematics. It can also provide a route into teaching mathematics at second-level.
The BA in Mathematical Studies is an option in the BA Arts (Honours) degree and complements other numerically based options in the BA Arts degree, for example Economics or Geography.
You will develop the theoretical underpinning of the mathematics you studied at school, while also developing applications of Mathematics to problems in the wider world. Throughout the degree you will learn written and oral presentation skills, for example, how to present a logic argument, perhaps backed up by numerical data.
Year 1 modules:
All modules 5 credits unless otherwise stated.
Three modules will consolidate what you will have learnt in school and provide the building blocks for the rest of the degree:
Year 2 modules
You will build on this foundation, with modules chosen from the following:
- discrete mathematics
- dynamical systems
- further calculus
- applications of abstract algebra
- geometry
- data analytics and other applications of statistics
- mechanics.
Year 3 modules
You will develop these topics further, again with a mixture of theory and applications. Modules include:
- differential equations and mathematical modelling
- further statistics
- transformation geometry
- number theory and further abstract algebra
- financial mathematics
- analysis.
See the College Calendar for additional information on the Programme and the Book of Modules for further information on modules.
Course Practicalities
Year 1
You will spend one quarter of your time doing Mathematical Studies, with three hours of lectures per week, and a tutorial.
Years 2 and 3
You will spend either one half or one third of your time doing Mathematical Studies, taking either four or six modules in each year. Each module has two hours of lectures and a one hour tutorial each week over the course of a 12-week semester. Problems will be assigned in the lectures for you to prepare for discussion in the tutorials.
Assessment
Written exams will take place before Christmas and in May. Not all modules will have formal examinations. Many modules use other types of assessment including in-class tests, take-home problems, etc.
Lecturers take care to give you as much feedback on your progress as possible.
Who teaches this course
The modules are taught by members of the School of Mathematical Sciences.
Why Choose This Course
- You will enter the jobs market with a numerate degree from one of the strongest mathematical sciences departments in Ireland
- The emphasis on developing problem-solving skills across a range of disciplines is highly regarded by employers
- There are many electives in Years 2/3 allowing students to tailor the content to their interests
- The course content is designed to cover the requirements for second-level teaching in mathematics set down by the Teaching Council of Ireland.
Placement or Study Abroad Information
If you take Mathematical Studies together with a foreign language, your degree can last four years, with Year 3 spent studying the language and mathematics abroad. There is no official placement module, but staff can advise and assist you to find summer internships.
Skills and Careers Information
As a graduate, your technical and numeracy skills will prepare you for a range of employment opportunities. Your soft skills, such as oral and written presentation skills and experience of working in a team, will also be attractive to employers.
A degree that includes mathematics will be seen by employers as evidence that you are able to think independently and quickly learn new skills.
Recent graduates have embarked on career paths such as:
- teaching
- accountancy
- banking
- management services
- insurance
- sales and marketing
- media
- civil service.
Requirements
Refer to CK101.
Mature entry requirements
Find out about the mature entry requirements here.
Non-EU Candidates
Non-EU candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language.
To verify if you meet the minimum academic and language requirements visit our qualification comparison page.
Refer to our International Office page for more information on how to apply to UCC.
Fees and Costs
Refer to CK101.
For International Fees see our Fees Schedule page.
How Do I Apply
Refer to CK101. Students choose Arts subjects when registering for first year.
EU Applicants: The Central Applications Office (CAO) processes applications for undergraduate courses in Irish Higher Education Institutions. Refer to the CAO page for further information.
Mature Applicants (age 23 or over): See the CAO Mature Applicants page and the Mature Students Admissions Pathway (MSAP) page for essential information on the application process for mature students.
QQI FET: See our QQI FET Applicants page.
Non-EU Applicants: Non-EU applicants apply online via the UCC Apply portal. See our International Office page.
All Applicants: Please note that the modules listed are indicative of the current set of modules for this course and are subject to change from year to year. Please check the College Calendar for the full academic content of any given course for the current year.
- In UCC, we use the terms programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.