Mathematics

College tutors are:

Professor Marc Lackenby
Dr Christoph Reisinger
Professor Alain Goriely
Dr Robert Leese
Dr Andreas Muench
Mr Alan Whitley
Ms Jessica Banks
Mr Benjamin Chad

The Oxford course

Taking students from school-level mathematics to the frontiers of current research, the mathematics course at Oxford is exciting and engaging. The first year and a half consists of compulsory topics, providing a foundation for the common core of the subject. From then onwards, there is a wide range of options available, enabling students to specialise in their particular area of interest. Topics range from cutting-edge pure mathematics such as topology and number theory, through statistics, to a variety of different aspects of applied mathematics, such as quantum theory and relativity. In addition, the course contains many topics that are not normally included in a mathematics undergraduate syllabus, including the philosophy of mathematics and mathematical finance.

The Mathematics course can be taken over either 3 or 4 years, leading to a BA or MMath respectively. The 4th year course contains a wide variety of specialist options. Undergraduates do not have to decide at the time of admission whether they will take the 3 or 4 year course: this choice is made at the beginning of the 3rd year. There are several different joint degrees, which combine mathematics with another subject. St Catherine's accepts applicants for all these courses.

Mathematics and Statistics is most closely related to the Mathematics course: the first year and half consists of the same material, but after that, there are more probability and statistics options available. In St Catherine's, we allow students to switch freely between this course and the straight Mathematics course at any stage up until the middle of the second year.

Mathematics and Philosophy is a distinctive Oxford course, blending two subjects that are in many ways very different, but in others quite similar. Whereas a mathematics undergraduate is expected to work on mathematical problems, philosophy is based more around the reading of books and the writing of essays. But both disciplines require a rigorous approach, and have several areas in common, including logic and the foundations of mathematics.

Mathematics and Computer Science is a natural combination. The course concentrates on those areas where these subjects are most relevant to each other. Like the Mathematics course, the first year and a half consists of compulsory core material. After that, students can specialise in many different options in pure and applied mathematics and both theoretical and practical computer science.

A Typical Term at St Catherine's

Students attend approximately 10 lectures per week, which are based at the Mathematical Institute. Here, students are presented with the theoretical aspects of their course. The lecturer provides problem sheets for students to work on, to help them understand the material in the lectures. In the first two years, the students discuss these and any other queries with their college tutors. They usually have two tutorials per week, one typically in pure mathematics and one in applied, although this balance may change as students specialise more in particular fields. In the third and fourth years, the lectures are backed up by intercollegiate classes, based in the Mathematical Institute. However, St Catherine's students, unlike those at many other colleges, continue to meet their tutors in their third and fourth years to discuss any mathematical problems they may have.

Special Features of St Catherine's Mathematics

St Catherine's takes pride in its tutorial system. We offer not just first-class tutorials and classes. We also provide a friendly working environment, where students are encouraged to discuss mathematical problems and ideas with their tutors.

We are distinctive in having a large number of tutors, so that students are taught by specialists in their fields. Pure mathematics tutorials are given by Professor Marc Lackenby, whose research interests include topology, geometry and group theory. Probability and statistics are taught by Dr Robert Leese, who is an expert on discrete mathematics and its applications to communications networks. Dr Christoph Reisinger gives tutorials in applied mathematics; his area of expertise is mathematical finance. Applied mathematics is also taught by Dr Andreas Muench, who is a specialist in mathematical modelling, particularly of fluids, and scientific computing.

There is a strong tradition in mathematics at St Catherine's. This is exemplified by the fact that Sir Michael Atiyah, one of the world's finest mathematicians and a winner of the Fields Medal, was professorial fellow at the college for over 20 years.

Admissions in Mathematics

Number of places usually available at St Catherine's: 8
Entrance requirements: please see the University website
Selection criteria: please see the Department website

St Catherine's admits around 8 undergraduates per year, to read Mathematics or one of its joint degrees. We are happy to consider applicants who have not taken Further Mathematics at A-level.

All candidates to read Mathematics at Oxford must sit an Admissions Test, usually in their own school or college. This is a test of mathematical and analytical skills. The mathematical knowledge required will be common to all A-level mathematics syllabuses. One of the questions is multiple choice with several parts. No aids, calculators, dictionaries or formulae sheets are allowed. Please see the Mathematical Institute website for the exact date of the test.