What do I do...?
Dear Mr NJ Anderson,
We are contacting you because you have studied one or more undergraduate modules in pure mathematics, or are registered to do so, and may be interested in planned changes to the University's mathematics education curriculum.
The University is planning to introduce a new 60-credit module, 'Further pure mathematics' (M303) starting in October 2013.
This will replace all three of the existing 30-credit modules:
* 'Groups and geometry' (M336)
* 'Topology' (M338)
* 'Number theory and mathematical logic' (M381)
What does this mean for me?
The content of the new module will be based on material in all three of the modules that it replaces. As a consequence 'Further pure mathematics' (M303) will be an excluded combination with M336, M338 and M381. This means it will not be possible to count M303 together with any of M336, M338 and M381 in any qualification.
* 'Groups and geometry' (M336) will be available to study in February 2012 and, for the last time, in October 2013.
* 'Topology' (M338) will be available to study for the last time in February 2012.
* 'Number theory and mathematical logic' (M381) will be available to study for the last time in October 2012.
Do I wait??
Comments
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No, you get in touch with the OU and have the proverbial 'conversation.' It is exactly you they want to talk to.New comment
Nah, these courses are hard, people don't do them. They are not popular pupils in the playground.
Hence they are shunned by all.
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I would seriously consider doing both Group Theory and topology next year and number theory in its last presentation. From the provisional contents list posted on the first class forum the amount of Group theory and topology is going to be considerably reduced. Also there will be no attempt to introduce Godel's theorem.
There is a worrying phrase in the course description that continuity will be discussed in terms of sequential convergence in metric spaces rather in terms of open sets. From what little I've read about the subject that means a whole swathe of Topology will not be covered. As the obscure books on applications of topology to physics that I have on my bookshelf seem to refer to this concept all the time that means unless this topic is covered I will have to try and understand it for myself.
Again I would have thought the applications of Group theory to geometry was an important part and again this is not going to be taught.
As you say these courses are hard but I'm not and neither are you here for an easy ride.
Best wishes Chris
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October 2013!?If you wait you can watch the Olympics undisturbed.
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There are times, Nina, when I don't think that you hate them as much as I do. But I trust you.
n