Mathematics and Biology www.maths.ed.ac.uk

Undergraduate Opportunities 2019 Mathematics

and Biology www.maths.ed.ac.uk

Undergraduate Opportunities 2019

Mathematics is one of mankind’s great intellectual adventures. Although its foundations were laid many thousands of years ago, it has never seemed more relevant than it does now. This is particularly true in biology, which is undergoing a transition into an increasingly quantitative science.

To work successfully on the interface between mathematics and the biological sciences, mastery of both disciplines is required. This degree provides the necessary knowledge and skills to work as a mathematician who is also proficient in biology.

Programme overviewYou will follow a custom-tailored selection of Mathematics courses, reflecting the current drive towards quantification in biology. Concurrently, you will specialise in one of two biological areas (evolutionary biology or systems biology), which reflect an ‘organism-based’ or a ‘cell-based’ approach to biology, respectively.

The subject areas covered in the first three years of the programme provide a cutting-edge toolset in mathematical biology, enabling you to complete an integrative, cross-disciplinary research project in the final year which can be chosen from a wide range of available topics.

Year 1You will spend a third of your time on mathematics courses, where you will meet and work alongside students on other mathematics programmes. In these courses you will build on your knowledge of pure mathematics in a formal way and be introduced to the ways of mathematical thinking required at university level.

The other two thirds of your time will be spent on biology and chemistry. In the biology courses, you will learn core

laboratory skills and lay the foundation for more specialist courses in later years. Courses in biological chemistry will introduce you to the key chemical principles underpinning many biological processes.

You will receive support from MathsBase, our popular walk-in help centre, and from our Student Learning Advisor.

Year 2Two thirds of your time will be spent on mathematics. You will take core courses in pure mathematics, extending your knowledge of calculus and analysis, and will be introduced to the abstract ideas of group theory. You will also study probability and statistics, and learn about scientific computer programming and numerical computation methods.

In biology, you will begin to specialise into either evolutionary biology or systems biology.

From this year onwards you can use the MathsHub, our student-run facility that is both a social centre and work space.

Year 3You will take courses in mathematics which deepen your knowledge of the theoretical underpinnings of analysis and differential equations, as well as a range of courses which are highly relevant to biology. These will include further study of statistics and of numerical methods for solving problems.

You will continue to study courses in biology from your chosen stream.

Year 4You will continue your study of either systems biology or evolutionary biology. In mathematics, you will take courses which apply directly to biology, as well as having the option to take further advanced

courses in applied and computational mathematics. You will also complete a substantial project on a topic in mathematical biology.

How will I learn?You will be taught mainly through lectures, practicals, workshops and tutorials. In Year 1 you can work with other students in the MathsBase, with tutors on hand to answer questions, where there are also regular MathPALs study sessions led by higher-year students.

We encourage students to work together throughout their studies and to engage with lecturers and tutors outside of timetabled classes. Our Student Learning Adviser will offer advice on study skills throughout your programme.

How will I be assessed?Most courses involve regular coursework as well as a final exam, while some will involve producing a group report or giving a presentation. Some will be entirely assessed by coursework.

Typical offer rangeSQA Highers: AAAA to AABB to include mathematics (at grade A), biology and chemistry. Advanced Highers in mathematics and biology are strongly recommended, and also in chemistry if possible.

A Levels: A*AA (Maths A*) to AAB to include mathematics at at least Grade A, biology and chemistry.

IB: 37 points (grades 666 at HL) to 32 points (655 at HL) to include mathematics at Grade 6, biology and chemistry.

For more details, please visit: www.ed.ac.uk/studying/undergraduate/entry-requirements

This publication is available in alternative formats on request. Please contact communications.office@ed.ac.uk

© The University of Edinburgh. All information correct at time of going to print (May 2018). The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336.

Main image: ©iStock.com/saemilee

Contact uswww.maths.ed.ac.uk/ugEmail apply@maths.ed.ac.ukTel +44 (0)131 650 5060

Mathematics is one of mankind’s great intellectual adventures. Although its foundations were laid many thousands of years ago, it has never seemed more relevant than it does now. This is particularly true in biology, which is undergoing a transition into an increasingly quantitative science.

To work successfully on the interface between mathematics and the biological sciences, mastery of both disciplines is required. This degree provides the necessary knowledge and skills to work as a mathematician who is also proficient in biology.

Programme overviewYou will follow a custom-tailored selection of Mathematics courses, reflecting the current drive towards quantification in biology. Concurrently, you will specialise in one of two biological areas (evolutionary biology or systems biology), which reflect an ‘organism-based’ or a ‘cell-based’ approach to biology, respectively.

The subject areas covered in the first three years of the programme provide a cutting-edge toolset in mathematical biology, enabling you to complete an integrative, cross-disciplinary research project in the final year which can be chosen from a wide range of available topics.

Year 1You will spend a third of your time on mathematics courses, where you will meet and work alongside students on other mathematics programmes. In these courses you will build on your knowledge of pure mathematics in a formal way and be introduced to the ways of mathematical thinking required at university level.

The other two thirds of your time will be spent on biology and chemistry. In the biology courses, you will learn core

laboratory skills and lay the foundation for more specialist courses in later years. Courses in biological chemistry will introduce you to the key chemical principles underpinning many biological processes.

You will receive support from MathsBase, our popular walk-in help centre, and from our Student Learning Advisor.

Year 2Two thirds of your time will be spent on mathematics. You will take core courses in pure mathematics, extending your knowledge of calculus and analysis, and will be introduced to the abstract ideas of group theory. You will also study probability and statistics, and learn about scientific computer programming and numerical computation methods.

In biology, you will begin to specialise into either evolutionary biology or systems biology.

From this year onwards you can use the MathsHub, our student-run facility that is both a social centre and work space.

Year 3You will take courses in mathematics which deepen your knowledge of the theoretical underpinnings of analysis and differential equations, as well as a range of courses which are highly relevant to biology. These will include further study of statistics and of numerical methods for solving problems.

You will continue to study courses in biology from your chosen stream.

Year 4You will continue your study of either systems biology or evolutionary biology. In mathematics, you will take courses which apply directly to biology, as well as having the option to take further advanced

courses in applied and computational mathematics. You will also complete a substantial project on a topic in mathematical biology.

How will I learn?You will be taught mainly through lectures, practicals, workshops and tutorials. In Year 1 you can work with other students in the MathsBase, with tutors on hand to answer questions, where there are also regular MathPALs study sessions led by higher-year students.

We encourage students to work together throughout their studies and to engage with lecturers and tutors outside of timetabled classes. Our Student Learning Adviser will offer advice on study skills throughout your programme.

How will I be assessed?Most courses involve regular coursework as well as a final exam, while some will involve producing a group report or giving a presentation. Some will be entirely assessed by coursework.

Typical offer rangeSQA Highers: AAAA to AABB to include mathematics (at grade A), biology and chemistry. Advanced Highers in mathematics and biology are strongly recommended, and also in chemistry if possible.

A Levels: A*AA (Maths A*) to AAB to include mathematics at at least Grade A, biology and chemistry.

IB: 37 points (grades 666 at HL) to 32 points (655 at HL) to include mathematics at Grade 6, biology and chemistry.

For more details, please visit: www.ed.ac.uk/studying/undergraduate/entry-requirements

This publication is available in alternative formats on request. Please contact communications.office@ed.ac.uk

© The University of Edinburgh. All information correct at time of going to print (May 2018). The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336.

Main image: ©iStock.com/saemilee

Contact uswww.maths.ed.ac.uk/ugEmail apply@maths.ed.ac.ukTel +44 (0)131 650 5060