If you have a good first degree in mathematics then have you considered taking your learning further with a graduate mathematics course? Mathematics courses at graduate level are a Masters of Science (MSc) or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). The former lasts from 1-2 years whilst the latter is usually awarded after 3-4 years. Studying a mathematics course at graduate level makes you incredibly adaptable. The MSc course or PhD topic you study may be in another science department, in computing, in a branch of engineering or in the humanities. Even if you study in a mathematics department there is still an astonishing range of interdisciplinary courses on offer. Studying a graduate mathematics course puts you at a serious advantage when it comes to the choice and level of progression you can make in your career. If you choose to pursue a career in academia then studying a PhD in mathematics is usually a prerequisite.

A survey of graduate mathematics courses by the 'Guardian' newspaper (17th June 2006) reported 55 UK universities offer graduate mathematics degrees. The survey included degrees in other areas for which a mathematician could study, e.g. conversion courses to areas of physics, statistics or computing. In schools of mathematics, MSc course are often offered with another subject such as mathematical finance, astronomy and astrophysics, atmosphere and ocean modelling and mathematical physics to name a few. Most universities and colleges offer pure mathematics courses.

Mathematics MSc courses will involve lectures and exams with coursework but also writing a substantial dissertation. One of the outcomes from writing a successful MSc dissertation might be to win funding and carry on the research to a higher level, for another two years towards a PhD. The subject areas for MSc mathematics courses usually reflect the special research expertise in a department. If you are applying for a PhD, then it's a good idea to make contact with individual lecturers about the subjects in which they might supervise you.

PhD Programs

Studying a graduate mathematics course at PhD level should be a commitment you make on the basis of your interests in the subject. Apart from a strong first degree, the most important qualifications are curiosity, ambition and hard work. By studying a mathematics PhD, you will learn how to work independently on an investigation to arrive at new discoveries. Your supervisor can help you formulate research questions that are most likely to lead to progress and help you overcome hurdles such as understanding ideas in others' research papers, but this is no substitute for the hard work you must put in that will earn you a PhD in mathematics.

Most universities and colleges will give you training in research techniques which will help you find incomplete references teach you how to borrow a rare book from the Library, or how to communicate your abstract research to children. Towards the end of your mathematics PhD, your supervisor will help you to prepare your thesis for submission to the examiners. By studying a graduate mathematics course, you get the opportunity to tell the world about your discoveries and submitting your research to learned journals. If you want to pursue an academic mathematics career then you should aim to be successful in the publications process. You will also talk about your PhD findings at conferences. There you also meet other mathematicians from around the world, and listen to presentations in a particular field.

A graduate qualification in mathematics is highly prized in education, government and business. Popular career destinations include: research jobs teaching, chartered accountancy, insurance, the construction industry and retail management. As a graduate student in mathematics, you are qualified for several different careers. Studying a graduate mathematics course takes you beyond the skills acquired at undergraduate level, you will be skilled in computation, classification and discrimination, skills which are highly valued in academia, government circles and successful companies. So if you like and are able in mathematics, and you are looking for interesting varied work, then apply for a graduate course in mathematics.

 

With thanks to:
Dr Mark Cooker
School of Mathematics
University of East Anglia