The University of Ulster has launched two new degree programmes during a week-long celebration of mathematics.
The Faculty of Computing and Engineering confirmed during Maths Week 2012 it was introducing degree programmes in Mathematics and Computational Finance. As part of Maths Week 2012, the Faculty of Computing and Engineering also hosted a series of lectures at the Jordanstown campus.
Dr Paul Hanna, Head of School of Computing and Mathematics said the School was introducing two new degree courses for pupils with an A-level in Maths (or equivalent) in response to the increasing interest in careers relating to maths.
“The current economic climate and an increased focus on STEM subjects have combined to revive an interest from school pupils in careers using mathematics," he said.
"In response to this demand, the School of Computing and Mathematics has recently introduced new degree courses in Mathematics and Computational Finance. We expect more maths related courses will follow in the near future.”
Maths Week Ireland is an annual event aimed at celebrating maths and helping people of all ages to discover that maths can be fun, as well as a very useful subject.
The Jordanstown lectures, aimed primarily at Year 13 pupils studying A-level Mathematics, were designed to encourage them to explore maths as a subject in its own right at third level and to highlight the career opportunities open to Mathematics graduates.
Dr Hanna said it was important to make young people aware of the importance of maths. “Mathematics is the language which enables scientists and engineers to describe the real world, from modelling traffic flow around our cities to drug trials for the pharmaceuticals industry.
"As such, mathematics graduates can follow a wide range of career paths, including working in the financial markets, software development, the civil service, aerospace engineering or GCHQ.
“Inspiring our young people in Mathematics is so important for many areas of their lives, as well as for future careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths(STEM)related areas.”
The lectures covered a range of topics including‘π hunting’ by Dr Mark McCartney, a mathematics lecturer in the School of Computing and Mathematics.
Dr McCartney’s research interests include how maths can be used to model traffic flows along roads, and what happens when atoms collide with each other. His most recent book, which he edited with his colleagues Andrew Whitaker & Raymond Flood, is all about the life of the famous Belfast born scientist Lord Kelvin.
Dr McCartney said: “π is, believe it or not, a quite remarkable number with a long history. Indeed,π pops up all over the place in mathematics, from the ancient Egyptians and the work of Archimedes to modern super-computers.
“In my lecture, we take a few slices out of the mathematical pie which is…π. Amongst other things, I show pupils a way to calculate π using an infinite sum of fractions and, at the other extreme, how to calculate π using toilet roll.”
A lecture by Dr Colin Turner, Head of School of Engineering who lectures in Mathematics and Software Development, focussed on ‘Proving the Obviously Untrue’.
His research interests are diverse and include using mathematics to help diagnose various heart conditions and in developing software to facilitate education.
“Mathematics helps us to understand the patterns and structures all around us in everything from science and engineering to art and music, "Dr Turner said.
"This talk looked at how mathematics can help us explore our flawed assumptions about the way things work and deepen our understanding. Mathematics is as much of an innate ability in us all, as language.”
If you would like to register an interest for any future events being organised by the School of Computing and Mathematics, please email Diane McWhirter: d.mcwhirter@ulster.ac.uk
