Teaching
You will usually have 12 lectures and 2 supervisions each week during the first year.
In second and third year the pattern and number of lectures and supervision depends on the topics you’re studying.
Assessment
Assessment is mostly through written examinations in the first 3 years. Currently, the exact structure of these examinations is under review. Any changes will be announced on the Mathematics Faculty website.
There are also additional computer projects in second and third year, which are assessed through reports and programs submitted before the summer examinations.
In the fourth year, you'll take an exam for each of your courses. You’ll also submit an essay on a current research topic.
You won't usually be able to resit any of your exams.
Year 1 (Part IA)
You choose from 2 core options:
- Pure and Applied Mathematics, if you want to carry on with Mathematics after the first year
- Mathematics with Physics, if you want to study Physics after the first year
We’ll ask you which option you prefer when you apply for this course. It’s still possible to change your mind when you start the course.
If you take Mathematics with Physics in the first year, you can still carry on with Mathematics in the second year.
You’ll take 8 papers which introduce you to the fundamentals of higher mathematics, covering topics such as:
- the study of algebraic systems, such as groups
- analysis, a rigorous study of functions and concepts from calculus
- probability
- mathematical methods, such as vector calculus
- Newtonian dynamics and special relativity.
If you are taking Mathematics with Physics, you will replace 2 Mathematics subjects with Physics Year 1 papers from the Natural Sciences course.
Year 2 (Part IB)
You'll study topics from Year 1 in greater depth, as well as some new topics.
You choose from around 15 options, including:
- geometry, topology
- electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, fluid dynamics
- linear algebra, complex analysis
- applicable mathematics, which includes statistics and optimisation (a rigorous treatment of topics from decision mathematics)
There are also optional computational projects, where you’ll use numerical or algebraic techniques to investigate mathematical problems.
Year 3 (Part II)
You explore your mathematical interests in detail.
There is a wide choice of papers you can take. Most students choose 8 to 10 options out of around 35 available. They include:
- cryptography
- algebraic topology
- number theory
- cosmology
- general relativity
- stochastic financial models
- waves
- automata and formal languages
- mathematical biology
- the mathematics of machine learning
There are also optional computational projects.
Year 4 (Part III, optional Masters)
Progression to fourth year depends on how well you do in your third year exams.
You can choose subjects from around 75 to 80 options. Students usually choose 6 to 8 subjects.
You will submit an essay towards the end of the year, before your exams. You can usually choose from more than 100 titles for your essay.
For further information about this course and the papers you can take see the Faculty of Mathematics website.
Changing course
It’s really important to think carefully about which course you want to study before you apply.
In rare cases, it may be possible to change course once you’ve joined the University. You will usually have to get agreement from your College and the relevant departments. It’s not guaranteed that your course change will be approved.
You might also have to:
- take part in an interview
- complete an admissions test
- produce some written work
- achieve a particular grade in your current studies
- do some catch-up work
- start your new course from the beginning
For more information visit the Department website.
You can also apply to change to:
You can't apply to this course until you're at Cambridge. You would usually apply when you have completed one year or more of your original Cambridge course.
You should contact your College’s Admissions Office if you’re thinking of changing your course. They will be able to give you advice and explain how changing courses works.
