Applied Mathematics

Applied Mathematics at Aberdeen gives you all the benefits of a top-quality mathematical education in a thriving centre of mathematical teaching and research, with focus on how we apply mathematics to better understand our world today.

Mathematics is not just about crunching numbers – it’s about logical thinking, solving problems, decision making and understanding why things work – the main skills that recruiters look for in potential employees. Mathematicians are in high demand across a range of sectors, including IT, finance, engineering and teaching.

Pure maths is about solving problems and developing theories within mathematics but applied maths is more about using mathematical theory to solve problems in other areas, including science, engineering, and physics. A lot of the theory that gets developed by pure mathematicians later becomes useful for applied mathematicians (and engineers, physicists etc.).

This Applied Mathematics BSc programme covers the core courses as studied in the pure Mathematics BSc degree. Additional core courses offered specifically in the Applied Maths degree include, Engineering Mathematics and Advanced Calculus. There are also a range of optional courses that can be chosen from both maths and physics areas.

BSc or MA?
Both the BSc and MA Mathematics and BSc and MA Applied Mathematics degrees consist of the same core mathematics courses. The difference between the MA and BSc programmes is the choice of optional courses alongside your core mathematics courses, i.e. BSc will be science related courses and MA will be arts/humanities related courses. You can focus your attention entirely on Mathematics or you can spread your interests to combine it with other subjects.