Master of Science (Hons) in Mathematics and Physics with Placement Year

at University of Bath United Kingdom

Learn about key approaches in applied maths and data science that can be integrated to solve real-world problems.

The cutting edge of the application of mathematics in industry combines modelling, analysis and interpretation using methods from applied mathematics and the rapidly growing area of data science. This course is for you if you're interested in applying maths, statistics and computer science to solve complex problems in industry.

Course highlights

• Study a wide range of taught units in applied maths techniques, mathematical modelling, data science, machine learning and scientific communication.
• Gain real-world experience from group projects with other students and the opportunity to work on a project with one of our industrial partners.
• Projects and modules benefit from our research specialisms, including industrial applied maths, probability, scientific computing, machine learning, dynamical systems, asymptotics, imaging, modelling of waves and fluids, and mathematical biology.

Working with industry

A key element of the course is the opportunity to work on a real project with one of our industry partners. This may include some time-based at an external company. Some of our current industry partners include the Met Office, Barclays, Emerson Roxar and Raytheon. Industry projects give direct experience of the problem-solving process, including:

• Identifying the problem and translating it into mathematical language
• Processing and analysing relevant data
• Solving the mathematical problem
• Communicating the results to the client

Placement Year

Going on placement gives you the opportunity to apply your skills and knowledge during a year working in industry. You’ll be employed full-time in a role to match your future career ambitions, broadening your experience and transferable skills. It may be possible to go on placement with the same company you've worked with for an industry project.

Study the theory and practice of preserving historic architecture and cultural heritage sites in one of the world's most culturally significant cities.

We offer you the unique opportunity to learn how to design and manage conservation projects while studying in a UNESCO World Heritage site. Taught by experts in the field, our course focuses on preserving historic buildings and cultural heritage worldwide. You’ll learn philosophical approaches to conserving the built environment and its significance within the context of international standards and charters, and English legislation frameworks. You’ll also explore materials, techniques, traditional constructional principles and structural behaviour.

To learn about conservation in practice, you’ll visit and work on case studies at historic buildings sites in and around Bath. These help you understand how our built heritage is repaired and re-used, and develop your technical and communication skills. You’ll finish your master’s degree with a large research project in an area of conservation that excites you.

Learn about the application of contemporary microbiology in health, food biosecurity and environmental sustainability to help address the world’s biggest challenges.

Biosciences research has a huge impact on helping people live longer and healthier lives. With the World Economic Forum identifying healthcare as one of the top 10 Global Challenges for 2030, there is a growing demand for specialists in this field.

This course provides you with a broad understanding of the molecular basis of biological systems, with a focus on microbes and their role in disease, developing new medicines, improving food biosecurity and environmental sustainability.

Learn the key business areas and understand how they operate in a global context. Spend 12 months abroad and gain practical international experience.

During the first year, you’ll study with BSc Management and BSc Management with Marketing students. You’ll benefit from learning in a diverse class with students who have different backgrounds and ambitions.

Customise your degree with optional units to choose from in Years 2 and 4.

Year Abroad

• In Year 3 you will go abroad for up to 12 months. You'll have the flexibility to choose a work placement, International Academic Exchange or a combination of both. We run exchanges with business schools in Asia, Europe, Australia and North and South America.

Gain specialist knowledge in pure and applied mathematics with a particular focus on statistics.

Mathematics enables us to reason logically, to understand structure and formulate scientific principles. Statistics is the collection, analysis and interpretation of data central to everything from scientific progress to medical research and the work of government.

This course is for you if you would like to study statistics and have a significant interest in mathematics. You’ll be trained how to analyse problems and interpret patterns in data to make careful predictions about the future.

Develop the skills to resolve complex economic issues. Learn economic theories, methods and applications, and become acquainted with chosen specialist areas.

In this course, you’ll study the foundations of economic theory and its applications to real-world problems. You’ll explore the connections between the economy as a whole, its main sectors (such as businesses, the financial sector, government, for example) and the decisions of individuals.

You’ll learn how to apply economic principles and methods to policy issues. You’ll develop your knowledge of institutions to understand how economic decisions and policies are made.

Your first year is concerned with key concepts in microeconomic and macroeconomic theory. You’ll further your skills in core mathematics, statistics and data analysis. In Year 2, you’ll build on this through intermediate study of economic theory. The study of econometrics will enable you to estimate and forecast economic relationships. The final year will teach you advanced economic theory. A selection of optional units will enable you to tailor your expertise to your personal interests and career aspirations.

Combine academic study with placement experience to develop the fundamental skills needed to professionally qualify as an Architect.

Our course gives you the practical and creative skills you need to explore, analyse and communicate architectural proposals. You’ll combine project work in design studios and studies in history, theory and the science of architecture with practical experience gained in practice. Through integrating all aspects of architecture, you’ll learn how to successfully control, compose and construct internal spaces and external forms.

At Bath, we focus your studies around studio work from the start. This is where you’ll work collaboratively to produce integrated design solutions. And, more importantly, where you’ll develop the practical skills to realise your creative potential.

Individual and group projects will challenge you to integrate the principles of structural, environmental and sustainable design into your work. Your knowledge of materials and the assembly of building elements will help inform how you approach design. Working with civil engineering students develops your understanding of the technical aspects of designing structures. This cross-discipline teamwork gives you an insight into the design problems and professional relationships you could experience in your career.

Your study experience at Bath will be distinct from that offered by most other universities in the UK. You’ll go on two placements (lasting between three to six months) as part of your four-year degree to help you on your journey to becoming a qualified Architect. You could also have the opportunity to study abroad as part of a student exchange agreement.

Placement Year

We blend architectural studies with professional experience to help you get the best out of your degree. Our course integrates two placements (lasting between three to six months) into the second semesters of year 2 and year 3, making it easier for you to develop and transfer your skills between study and placement. You'll be able to apply your university learning in a practical context and use your placement experience to improve the architectural skills you’ll use later in your course.

Our students benefit from work experience gained in many of the leading architectural practices in the UK and other countries. You could go on placement in practices like FCB Studios, Foster and Partners, Grimshaw Architects or Roger Stirk Harbour + Partners.

Learn about the deep connections between mathematics and theoretical physics and develop your scientific computing and theoretical modelling skills to understand and solve complex physical problems.

This course is for you if you want to study a broad physics degree with less emphasis on experimental laboratories and a stronger focus on theoretical, mathematical and computational aspects of physics.

You'll study the cornerstones of theoretical physics while developing your understanding of their mathematical foundations. Our courses reflect our theoretical research expertise in condensed matter, photonics and astrophysics. The computational physics and programming aspects also reflect the more applied nature of our theoretical research.

The combination of theoretical and practical knowledge of physics and mathematics is highly sought-after by employers and also gives an excellent grounding for postgraduate or industrial research.

Year abroad

Broaden your horizons by spending a year studying at a university abroad. You’ll experience another culture whilst studying a course that complements your studies at Bath.

We currently have links with universities in North America, Australasia, Asia and Europe, including Purdue University, the University of Queensland, National University Singapore and the University of Helsinki.

Develop theoretical and practical abilities in software design, development and experimentation, to become an innovative computing professional.

This course is for you if you’re interested in studying computer science but want to wait until later in your degree before deciding what area to specialise in. It's a broad-ranging course giving you the knowledge to apply computer science methods to the latest industry challenges and learn skills highly valued by employers.

Tailor to your interests

In the first year, you’ll learn core skills in mathematics and programming and the foundations of artificial intelligence, software design and development, interaction design, computer graphics and vision. More advanced and specialised units follow in the second and final years. In the second year, you'll complete a group project with other students to design and build an interactive application.

In the final year, you'll choose optional units alongside an individual project combining your interests in a specific area of computer science. You’ll regularly meet with an academic who specialises in your chosen field.

Combine numeracy with detailed subject knowledge and initiative to solve complex engineering problems that improve the world we live in.

Our course teaches you how to use physical science, mathematics and computing to assess engineering systems. You'll combine this with study in design and manufacturing processes to understand how modern industry works.

Your first two years give you a detailed understanding of mechanical engineering. You’ll learn how to incorporate design into the science, manufacturing and management elements of engineering. You can apply this knowledge to analyse, build and test a product from scratch.