Preparation for the maths MSc

    • Students can manually mark this item complete: It is very usual for students starting the mathema...

      It is very usual for students starting the mathematics MSc to feel rusty on some areas and/or have some gaps in their knowledge. You should use the diagnostic quiz to help you to work out where you may be rusty and/or have gaps. You should also look carefully at the individual module descriptions to see what you are likely to need for each module. Once you have identified possible rusty areas or gaps, the following links and resources may be helpful.

      Once you are fully registered you will have access to the maths and stats study site which have more specific revise and refresh material for each module. The material below is free to access before you register and aimed at non-registered students who want suggestions for preparatory material. 

      Please note that the mathematics in the linked OpenLearn courses is not sufficient for any of the MSc modules, but the courses may help for specific areas. Some of it is also not specifically necessary for any MSc modules (but the skills and techniques developed studying the material will be helpful). You must look at the taster material for either M820 (applied) or M823 (pure) to get an idea of the level of maths that is expected on the MSc. The material for M823 needs to be read in conjunction with the textbook Introduction to Analytic Number Theory by Apostol. 

    • Students can manually mark this item complete: All MSc modules except M836 and M838 (and some M84...

      All MSc modules except M836 and M838 (and some M840 topics) require a good working knowledge of calculus, such as that found in UG mathematics degrees, or in UG degrees with a lot of mathematical content. The best way to refresh your calculus knowledge is probably to re-work through whichever textbook you used on your UG degree, but the reading list contains some suggestions as well. Mathematics textbooks can be expensive, but since mathematics does not tend to change over time, second hand copies of earlier editions can be helpful for background reading (but for some modules it is important to have the correct edition of the set text).  

      M836 requires a good working knowledge of linear algebra, and M838 requires a good working knowledge of abstract algebra. 

      For M820, M821 and M833, studying Chapters 1-8 plus Chapters 13 and 14 of Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences by Mary Boas will give you a good foundation, or alternatively Chapters 1-16 of Advanced Engineering Mathematics by Erwin Kreyszig. The book by Boas is easier to learn from, but can be very expensive new. However, there are second hand older editions around that are just as relevant to learn from. 

    • Students can manually mark this item complete: Extracts from level 1 (first year) open university modules.

      Extracts from level 1 (first year) open university modules.

    • Students can manually mark this item complete: Basic introduction to number theory

      Introduces Euclid's division algorithm and congruences. Helpful for anyone with an applied background who wants to take M823. 

    • Students can manually mark this item complete: Very basic introduction to differential equations

      Applied. Introduces differential equations, covering direct integration, separation of variables and integrating factor. Also looks at some applications. You should find this material familiar if you want to take any applied MSc modules. 

    • Students can manually mark this item complete: Extracts from level 2 (second year) open university modules

      Extracts from level 2 (second year) open university modules

    • Students can manually mark this item complete: Basic introduction to real analysis

      Inequality manipulation, triangle inequality, binomial theorem, least upper and greatest lower bounds, density property of the reals, introduction to induction, rational powers. You should be familiar with this material, especially for any of the pure modules. 

    • Students can manually mark this item complete: Very basic introduction to group theory

      Pure. Showing how symmetries form a group. Group theory is used a small amount in M823 and is also used in M836. You should find this material very basic if you have the right background for M838. 

    • Students can manually mark this item complete: Second order differential equations

      This material underlies all of the applied modules. 

    • Students can manually mark this item complete: Extracts from level 3 (third year) open university modules

      Extracts from level 3 (third year) open university modules

    • Students can manually mark this item complete: Number theory

      Helpful for M823

    • Students can manually mark this item complete: Kinematics of fluids

      Helpful for M821 

    • Students can manually mark this item complete: Group theory

      Helpful for M838 

    • Students can manually mark this item complete: Metric spaces and continuity

      May be helpful for M835.