About this course
- Entry year: 2012/13
- Course code: G300
- Applications: UCAS
- Level: Undergraduate
- Tariff points: 300
- Department: Engineering, Design and Mathematics
- Campus: Frenchay
- Duration: Four years sandwich; three years full-time.
- Delivery: Full-time, Sandwich. A part-time option is available by negotiation.
- Study Abroad: Yes
- Programme leader: Robert Kelland
Introduction
If you enjoy Mathematics and analysing data, and you wish to learn advanced statistical methods and their implementation by computer systems, then the Statistics degree is an excellent choice. After deepening and widening your understanding of Mathematics and Statistics during the first two years of the course, you will be able to specialise in Statistics in the final year.
The BSc(Hons) Statistics degree shares the same first two years as the BSc(Hons) Mathematics degree so it is possible to transfer between the two degrees up until the beginning of the final year. The Statistics degree aims to show you how to use statistical methods to analyse and solve problems in a wide range of areas, including the scientific and business sectors. You will have the opportunity to study applications of statistics in, for example, industrial quality control, medicine, forecasting and econometrics.
Student's view
"I definitely think that my work placement has helped me and will be beneficial for my career prospects. It is good to have the opportunity to apply what you have learnt at University into a real-life workplace." Lara, BSc(Hons) Statistics
Structure
Content
Each year you will take a number of compulsory topics together with a selection of optional topics.
In the first year you will take the following:
- Calculus: You will acquire the mathematical skills necessary to solve problems that arise in science and engineering and also understand the concepts underlying differentiation and integration. This leads to a deep understanding of what calculus techniques can and cannot do. We use calculus to approximate well-known functions (techniques that are used within your calculator). Differential equations, which are used to model many practical and important problems, are solved using a variety of techniques.
- Linear algebra: Linear Algebra is one of the most useful tools in mathematics. The central problem is the solution of linear equations. The general principles are easy to understand but the techniques are powerful with ubiquitous use - such as in numerical methods, three dimensional spatial structure, digital photograph enhancement and robotics to name a few.
- Structures of Mathematics: This module will revise, strengthen and extend your knowledge of fundamental ideas related to calculus and analytical geometry. In addition, you will learn how to apply calculus methods to the solution of interesting and practical problems.
- Statistical reasoning: You will be provided with the basic principles, concepts and methods of statistical reasoning. You will be able to apply simple statistical methods in order to gain understanding of a given population using sample data. You will also gain the fundamental skills and operational knowledge for all further study in statistics.
- Problem Solving: You will investigate "real world" problems from both mathematics and statistics. You will be taught in lab-based sessions, and tackle a series of problems that require the development of computer based solutions. Software introduced includes Maple, Minitab, SPSS and VBA programming. Communication skills much valued by employers will be developed through report writing and presentations.
- Decision Analysis and Modelling: You will be shown how mathematics can be used to solve real business problems, such as to aiding decision making in the face of uncertainty, methods for forecasting, or predicting the length of queues in shops. This is quite a diverse topic and introduces you to a lot of techniques which will be looked at in more detail later within the course. Think of this subject as an introduction to the toolbox that is available to help managers and businesses come to decisions about how to run complex organisations.
In your second year you will take the following:
- Applications of mathematics
- Statistical modelling
And choices from the following:
- Numerical methods
- Vector calculus and complex methods
- Discrete mathematics
- Mathematical statistics
- Operational research
In your final year you will take the following:
- Advanced statistics
- Biomedical and industrial statistics
- Multivariate statistical modelling
- Decision modelling
A number of options from the following topics:
- Fluid dynamics
- Mathematical biology
- Numerical analysis
- Financial mathematics
- Symmetry.
Programme structure diagrams for the full-time programme.
The programme structures change from year to year. Therefore you might find some variation between that shown here and the final version of your course.
Teaching and learning
You will have lectures, workshops and tutorials and have access to the Faculty's dedicated Mathematics and Statistics Learning Centre where computer-aided learning and tuition support is provided. You will use specialist Statistical software packages provided in the Faculty's computer laboratories.
Our mathematics and statistics lecturers always receive high praise for their approachability, friendliness and enthusiasm for the subject and have always scored highly in the National Student Survey. Our Espresso Maths workshops offer support and advice to students studying mathematics on a one on one basis.
Assessment
Assessment methods, which vary for each module, are designed to develop problem solving and communication skills as well as statistical ability, and may include presentations and group projects.
Special Features
Professional accreditation
This programme will meet the educational requirements of the Chartered Mathematician designation, awarded by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, when it is followed by subsequent training and experience in employment to obtain equivalent competences to those specified by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) for taught masters degrees.
Placements
We encourage all students on our degree courses to spend their third year on placement in an industrial, commercial or public sector organisation, doing work of value to the company. There are many companies who provide placements to university students. Previous students have been placed with Airbus, HP, Rolls-Royce, IBM, Lloyds TSB, Intel and BT, to name but a few. We also work with a number of smaller companies in and around the region.
The Department's Placements team has close links with the business community and advertise hundreds of work placements every year. We will show you how to prepare your CV correctly, advise you on how to write letters of application and help you learn successful interview techniques. Find out more about our work placements on our department's website.
Careers/further study
Equipped with a degree in Statistics, there will be a great variety of career opportunities open to you. These include:
- Scientific research and development in fields such as medicine, ecology and agriculture
- The pharmaceutical industry
- Market research
- Financial services
- Public sector areas such as local government and the civil service
- Teaching (for those wishing to teach maths at secondary school level, this degree course is a good foundation for a postgraduate teaching qualification)
Recent graduates have been employed as Biostatisticians, Medical Statisticians, Trainee Managers and Technical Analysts.
Graduate destinations
Find out what our graduates are doing six months after graduating - includes examples of careers, employers and further study. Download a PDF from graduate destinations.
Creating employable students
UWE places strong emphasis on employability and skills development at every level. Through work placements, volunteering, study abroad and UWE initiatives which nurture talent and encourage innovation, students gain valuable real world experience and graduate with diverse career opportunities and a competitive place in the job market.
See great graduate prospects for further information.
Be inspired
Read about what being a statistician involves.
Useful links
UWE - graduate occupations
The UWE careers service provides guidance and support throughout your studies in addition to useful resources, CV checks, career coaching and details of current job vacancies.
Entry
Typical offers
- Tariff points: 300
- GCSE: Maths and English Language at grade C or above required.
- Specific subjects: Mathematics A level grade C or IB Maths (Higher) grade 5, or equivalent.
- Baccalaureate IB: Accepted (please see the UCAS website for the UCAS tariff points that you can gain from the IB to put towards our points requirements above)
Advice on typical offers
In addition to the 'typical offer' given here, please read the general information about
entry requirements.
How to apply
Please see the general information about
applications.
For further information
Page last updated 14 December 2011