In the first year, there are 8 lecture courses, which is two lectures a day for two terms, covering a wide range of mathematics. Students take all 8 courses, which serve as a platform for the later years.
You will also have supervisions (small-group teaching) in the afternoon, typically two hours per week. These continue throughout your three years.
At the end of the year, there are four three-hour examinations.
Topics studied in the first year
There are courses in:
- abstract algebra, which is the study of mathematical structures, such as sets, vector spaces and groups;
- analysis, which is the study of the foundations of calculus;
- number theory, in which equations involving integers are investigated;
- differential equations, in which equations involving rates of change are investigated;
- mathematical methods, which provide the basis for mathematical applications; for example, to theoretical physics;
- Newtonian dynamics and special relativity, in which the laws of Newton and Einstein are formulated mathematically;
- probability, which is (probably) what you think it is.
For a full list of all courses, and formal description of the content and structure of each year click here.