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Mathematical courses at NUI Galway

The School of Mathematics, Statistics and Applied Mathematics offers a wide range of study opportunities. Prospective students can choose the one that best meets their needs. The various options are described below under the following headings.

• If you know you'd like to study for a mathematical undergraduate degree ... (go to)
• If you think you'd like to study for a mathematical undergraduate degree but want to keep your options open ... (go to)
• If you'd like to study for a joint undergraduate degree in mathematics and some other Arts subject ... (go to)
• Postgraduate opportunities (go to)

If you know you'd like to study for a mathematical undergraduate degree ...

• BSc in Mathematical Science

  The Bachelor of Mathematical Science is a 4-year honours degree programme that covers all aspects of Mathematics and its applications, giving students a solid foundation in the Mathematical Sciences. As students advance through the programme they will choose a specialism: Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Theoretical Physics, Financial Mathematics, Computer Science, or Statistics with Bioinformatics. (CAO code GY319)



• BSc in Financial Mathematics and Economics

  The Bachelor of Science in Financial Mathematics and Economics is a 4-year inter-college degree programme consisting of courses in Mathematics (includiing Actuarial Mathematics), Statistics (including Probability), Applied Mathematics, Economics and Computer Science, with particular emphasis on the interaction between Financial Mathematics and Economics. There is a high demand from financial institutions for well-qualified students with quantitative skills, and the expanding market seeks highly-numerate professionals. The Faculty and Institute of Actuaries recognises this programme, and graduates can be exempt from some of the professional Actuarial subjects: CT1 Financial Mathematics, CT3 Probability and Mathematical Statistics and CT7 Economics. There may be more exemptions in the future. (CAO code GY309)



• BSc in Mathematics and Education

  The BA in Mathematics and Education is a 4-year, full-time honours degree programme which incorporates a teaching training qualification with teaching practice throughout the duration of the programme. Graduates of the programme will be excellent mathematicians and will be recognised by the Teaching Council of Ireland as qualified post-primary teachers of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics. The programme is run by the Mathematics and Education departments of NUI Galway. It has been created as a response to the growing need for excellent mathematics teachers in Irish post-primary schools. (CAO code GY109)



• BSc in Computer Science and Information Technology

  The BSc in Computer Science and Information Technology (CSIT) is run by the School of IT with substantial input from the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Applied Mathematics. The course covers the theory and practice of designing and developing computer systems, both hardware and software, as well as networking and telecommunications technologies. The programme uses electronic devices, such as computers and mobile phones, computer software and networks to store, process, transmit, retrieve and manipulate information. It has a flexible course structure, where students can choose to study a range of Next-Generation Technology areas including: Digital Media and Games, Enterprise Informatics, Energy Informatics, Computational Mathematics, Scientific Computing and Medical/ Bio-informatics. These core subjects provide a solid theoretical and applied background in Computer Science and Information Technology.

  Students will undertake a five-month (April-August) work placement after their third year, either off- or on-campus. This Professional Experience Programme gives students an opportunity to work on projects relevant to their course of study and significantly improves their chances of obtaining employment after graduation. (CAO code GY350)

If you think you'd like to study for a mathematical undergraduate degree but want to keep your options open ...

The majority of students in the College of Science opt for the 4-year undenominated honours BSc degree. In their first year students choose four subjects from Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Computing, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth and Ocean science. Students typically retain two principal subjects in their second year. They pursue one subject in their third and fourth years.

• Undenominated BSc specialising in Mathematics

  Students take Mathematics as one of their first and second year subjects. They specialize in Mathematics in their third and fourth year. (CAO code GY301)



• Undenominated BSc specialising in Applied Mathematics

  Students take Applied Mathematics as one of their first and second year subjects. They specialize in Applied Mathematics in their third and fourth year. (CAO code GY301)



• Undenominated BSc specialising in Mathematics and Computing

  Students take Computing and Mathematics as one of their first and second year subjects. They specialize in Computing and Mathematics in their third and fourth year. (CAO code GY301)

If you'd like to study for a joint undergraduate degree in mathematics and some other Arts subject ...

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) is a broad 3-year degree, offering a wide variety of subjects to choose from. Four subjects are taken in First Arts from the 21 subjects on offer. In Second Arts, two of the subjects chosen at First Arts are pursued and these two subjects are completed in Final Arts. An advantage of the wide choice available, and of having to take four subjects, is the opportunity to take new subjects and to make interesting combinations of familiar and new subjects.

• BA in Mathematics and another Arts subject

  Students take Mathematics as one of four subjects in their first year, and as one of two subjects in their second and third years. (CAO code GY109)



• BA in Mathematical Studies and another Arts subject

  Students take Mathematics as one of four subjects in their first year. They take Mathematical Studies as one of two subjects in their second and third years. (CAO code GY109)

Taught postgraduate degrees ...

• MA and PDip in Mathematics (One year and two years)

  The one year taught masters in Mathematics is aimed at students with a strong degree in Honours Mathematics. It introduces advanced topics and concepts, preparing graduates for further doctoral studies. However, graduates are also in demand in the financial and semi-state sectors. The programme content is dynamic and research-led. Each year, a distinct theme is selected, and designed to offer an insight into new and emerging areas of research mathematics. Details of the theme for 2011-12 will be posted to the School website.

  The two year MA in Mathematics is aimed at students with a strong primary degree in Mathematical Studies, or equivalent. During the first year of study, students gain expertise and confidence in advanced Mathematics, to the level usually found in a four-year single-honours undergraduate programme. Courses taken include Algebra, Analysis, Topology, Numerical Analysis, and Statistics. Every student completes a project, which introduces them to a modern area of mathematics, and the research techniques and tools that are used in Mathematical investigations. In the second year, students are introduced to advanced topics and concepts. Although it prepares graduates for advanced research degrees, many are also in demand in the financial and semi-state sectors. The graduate diploma in Mathematics bridges the gap between four-year programmes with a substantial mathematical component, and those that are broader in focus or shorter in duration. It opens opportunities to taught and research Masters programmes, as well as the many career options open to Mathematics graduates. (More details)




• MSc and HDipAppSc in Mathematics

  MSc: this one-year taught masters in mathematics introduces students to advanced topics and concepts. Although it prepares students for advanced research degrees, graduates are also in demand in the financial and semi-state sectors. The programme content is dynamic and research-led. Each year, a distinct theme is selected, and designed to offer an insight into new and emerging areas of research mathematics. Details of the theme for 2011-12 will be posted to the School's website.

  HDip: this programme is aimed at students who have a background in Applied Mathematics, or Mathematics, equivalent to a Level 7 degree and who wish to upgrade their skills in Applied Mathematics and Mathematical Modelling. The aim of the Higher Diploma programme is to further develop students' abilities in applying mathematics to problems in the physical world. Participating students are given the opportunity to develop their skills in different areas of mathematics, applied mathematics, statistics, and mathematical modelling by taking advanced level courses. They study five courses each semester chosen from a catalogue of appropriate courses. They also undertake a supervised project working in close collaboration with an academic member of staff during which they are trained in various research techniques and gain an insight into some current area of mathematical research. (More details)




• HDipAppSc in Applied Mathematics

  This programme is aimed at students who have a background in Applied Mathematics, or Mathematics, equivalent to a level 7 degree and who wish to upgrade their skills in Applied Mathematics and Mathematical Modelling. The aim of the Higher Diploma programme is to further develop students' abilities in applying mathematics to problems in the physical world. At the end of this programme successful students will have an equivalent level of knowledge and experience as a student who has completed a BSc degree in Applied Mathematics. (More details)

Postgraduate degrees by research ...

• PhD/MSc in Mathematics

  The Research activity in Mathematics at NUI Galway covers a broad range of topics spanning Algebra, Analysis, Geometry and Topology. There is a particular strength in Computational Algebra, which has led to the establishment of the de Brún Centre, with a mission is to support research in broad areas of algebra and its applications. The various research groups within the discipline of Mathematics host a wide range of workshops, seminars and graduate courses, resulting in a unique and thriving graduate research programme. Recent graduates are now working as lecturers and postdoctoral researchers at third-level institutes. Others are working in industry, including banking and finance, and in the Meteorological Service. (More details)



• PhD/MSc in Statistics

  This general discipline within the School has an expanding research activity with postgraduate students (PhD and MSc) and postdoctoral researchers frequently involved in collaborative projects with other researchers at NUI Galway, elsewhere in Ireland and overseas. There are three broad related current research areas in statistics. These include methodological work in statistical modelling including random effects and mixed models, semiparametric Bayesian inference, mixture models, and smoothing. Application areas range from agricultural sciences, educational performance, health provision evaluation, to environmental monitoring. (More details)



• PhD/MSc in Applied Mathematics

The research activity of the discipline covers a range of topics in both Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, with a particular emphasis on nonlinear elasticity, biomechanics, dynamical systems theory, quantum field theory, conformal field theory, mathematical modelling, analysis of partial differential equations, biomathematics and quantum computation. Members of the discipline are involved in joint projects with other disciplines/research units within the University, and are also involved in a number of international collaborations. (More details)