ObjectivesAlthough they have a quite different subject matter, the thinking skills that will bring you success in Mathematics and Philosophy are actually quite similar. Both subjects prize careful and rigorous reasoning and a distinctive type of exercise of the imagination. This makes Mathematics and Philosophy an excellent combination. This course combines much of the Core and Pure Mathematics offered on the BSc in Mathematics (course code G100) with a choice of units taught by the Department of Philosophy. You will normally take half of your modules in Mathematics and half in Philosophy. The Philosophy Department offers an exciting range of courses taught by researchers who are experts in their fields. You can develop your understanding of the key areas of Philosophy such as Ethics, Philosophy of Mind, Theory of Knowledge, Political Philosophy, Metaphysics and Logic through the course of your three years. We also have courses on major figures in the history of Philosophy such as Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Hegel and others. The Philosophy side of the degree is highly flexible, with no required modules. Dual students have the choice of exactly the same modules as single Philosophy students.
Entry requirementsEntry requirements GCE/VCE A Levels ABB including A in Mathematics Two GCE A Levels plus two GCE AS Levels - AB+BB Scottish Highers - AABB - AAAB Irish Leaving Cert. - ABBBB-AABBB BTEC Level N - 2 Distinctions and 1 Merit International Baccalaureate - 32 - 33 points including 5 in Higher Maths Core Requirements - Grade A in GCE A level Maths
Academic titleBSc Mathematics and Philosophy
Course descriptionOur students usually select from a range of compulsory and optional modules to add up to 120 credits.
Some departments offer courses that don't feature optional modules whereas other courses are fully flexible.
Important notice :
This is a list of modules that have been offered in the past. We expect similar modules to be offered for courses starting in 2009.
This information is provided for illustration only and you should check with the department directly when applying to confirm module options.
Typical First Year Modules
Module/Unit Credits
Groups and Symmetries 10
Mathematics with Maple 10
Matrices and Geometry 10
Numbers and Proofs 10
Practical Calculus 10
Probability, Sets and Complex Numbers 10
Critical Thinking 20
Human Rights 20
Matters of Life and Death 20
Mind, Brain and Personal Identity 20
Philosophy of Art and Literature 20
Areas of Philosophy 10
History of Philosophy 10
Key Arguments 10
Knowledge, Justification and Doubt 10
Philosophy of Religion 10
Philosophy of Science 10
Typical Second Year Modules
Module/Unit Credits
Advanced Calculus 10
Continuity and Integration 10
Linear Mathematics for Applications 10
Descartes and The Empiricists 20
Ethics: Theoretical and Practical 20
Ethics: Theoretical and Practical 20
Feminism 20
Formal Logic 20
Philosophy of Art and Literature 20
Philosophy of Law 20
Philosophy of Mind 20
Plato 20
Political Philosophy 20
Political Philosophy 20
Reference and Truth 20
The Rationalists 20
The Social Contract 20
Theory of Knowledge 20
Topics in Ancient Philosophy 20
Foundations of Probability and Statistics 10
Nonlinear Mathematics 10
Rings and Groups 10
Topics in Number Theory 10
Vector Spaces and Fourier Theory 10
Typical Third Year Modules
Module/Unit Credits
Advanced Logic 20
Aristotle 20
Desires of One's Own 20
Desires of One's Own 20
Epistemology 20
Feminism: Rationality and Politics 20
Hegel and His Critics 20
Hobbes and Hume 20
Kant 20
Metaphysics 20
Morality, Identity and Freedom 20
Philosophical Problems 1 20
Philosophical Problems II 20
Philosophy of Language 20
Philosophy of Mathematics 20
Philosophy of Psychology 20
Philosophy of Science 20
Possible Worlds 20
Pragmatism 20
The Imagination 20
Theories of Rights 20
Value Theory 20
Value Theory 20
Applicable Analysis 10
Chaos 10
Codes and Cryptography 10
Combinatorics 10
Complex Analysis 10
Differential Geometry 10
Fields 10
Graph Theory 10
Groups and Symmetry 10
History of Mathematics 10
Knots and Surfaces 10
Metric Spaces 10
Operations Research 10
Rings and Modules 10
Topics in Mathematical Economics 10
Topics in Number Theory 10
Undergraduate Ambassadors Scheme in Mathematics 10