Reading Mathematics at Cambridge

There is some information about studying maths in Peterhouse and some things that might be of interest or help for you.

Course

You will have 8 examinable courses in first year:

First term:

Vectors and matrices - applied

Differential equations - applied

Groups - pure

Numbers and Sets - pure

Second term:

Dynamics and Special Relativity - applied

Vector calculus - applied

Analysis - pure

Probability - pure

Each subject will have 24 lectures and 4 example sheets.

Lectures

In first two years lectures will be in five minutes walking distance from college. In third year lectures will take place in CMS (centre of mathematical science). It is approximately 20-minute walk or 10-minute cycle ride. If you are really laze you can even take a bus. First year you will have two lectures each day from Monday to Saturday. You will have 4 subjects each term. Lecturer will give an example sheets with problems that you will have to solve and discuss with your supervisors. There will be 4 example sheets from one subject in total.

Supervisions

Peterhouse is smallest college, each year there are approximately 6 maths students. This means you will get to know other students and your supervisors fairly quickly. You will usually be paired with other student for your supervisions. In first year you will have 2 one-hour length supervisions per week. They will take place in college or CMS. Supervisors are very friendly so you will be always able to clear anything that you did not understood during lectures or ask any other questions.

Examinations

First year mathematics exams consists of 4 papers, each containing 2 subjects, one from pure and one from applied mathematics, one from first and one from second term. It is not allowed to choose subjects, so it is necessary to prepare for all subjects.

Paper 1: Analysis + Vectors & Matrices

Paper 2: Probability + Differential Equations

Paper 3: Groups + Vector Calculus

Paper 4: Numbers & Sets + Dynamics & Special Relativity

While you will spend most of your time in first and second term doing example sheets which have some more difficult but also more interesting problems, preparation for exams is much different, as you will have to do loads of past examination papers. Exam sheets are probably easier and have some key ideas that are being checked each year, so to do well you must find out what examiners like to ask. But don't worry you will have all Eastern term for that, while it would be a good idea to start solving these earlier.

Library

Peterhouse library has all books you will need for studies, so unless you will want to have one of your own, you don't have to buy any textbooks. There is a computer room in Peterhouse, so you will be able to use computers there for programming projects or printing notes or whatever you might need it for.

Social aspect

Being smallest college Peterhouse is also one of the friendliest. Few times a term there will be different mathematicians' events such as Mathematicians dinner, dessert or simply meeting for a cup of tea or coffee. During these you will be able to talk to older students, your supervisors and other interesting people in informal environment. This really helps to feel the spirit of Peterhouse and enjoy every bit of it.

There are many clubs and societies in Peterhouse, so everyone will find something.

Things to bring (or not to bring):

You might want to bring (or buy in Cambridge) a bicycle, but it is not essential. Peterhouse is in the centre of the Cambridge and for first two years lectures will be 5 minutes walking distance from college. You might have some supervision in CMS (centre of mathematical science) but it is not more than 20 minutes walk. So you will definitely be able to survive without a bicycle (I did).

Peterhouse (Ward) library is just great; you will find all books you will need there, so you don't have to buy or bring any books of your own.

You will need a gown for all formal events of the college. You can buy it from porters, Ryder & Amies or Ede & Ravenscroft.

Thing that you might really want to bring is pillow and duvet, as college does not give these and as you might guess it is really uncomfortable to sleep without them (talking from my own experience).

And most importantly, don't forget to bring a lot of paper and pens, you will need them ;)

If you would have any other questions, for example if you need to bring something or not (as coming first time space in your luggage is of some value I think), don't hesitate and write me an email: pb475@cam.ac.uk

You might be interesting in looking through some websites:

Cambridge University

Peterhouse

Cambridge Maths Faculty

www.dpmms.cam.ac.uk

www.damtp.cam.ac.uk

www.archim.org.uk

www.nrich.maths.org and www.wolfram.com for help with maths problems.

So congratulations on choosing Mathematics in Peterhouse, have a nice holiday and see you in October.

Petras Balciunas (pb475) 2010