Program Overview

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Statistics is one of the most important fields of study in the world. The techniques we use to model and manipulate data guide the political, financial, and social decisions that shape our modern society. If you are a logical person and enjoy solving problems, statistics at Essex is for you. Our Department of Mathematical Sciences embraces statistics, data sciences, pure and applied mathematics, and statistics, and operational research. Our master program offers you the opportunity to study statistics alongside other mathematical subjects. Providing a balance of solid statistical theory and practical application, this course builds your knowledge in all areas of statistics, data analysis and probability. You will explore topics including:

• Mathematical statistics
• Applied statistics
• Survival analysis
• Time series
• Stochastic process
• Computing and coding in R

Our interdisciplinary research recognises that mathematics, including what can be very abstract mathematics, is an essential part of research in many other disciplines. Our department has an international reputation in many areas including semi-group theory, optimisation, probability, applied statistics, bioinformatics and mathematical biology. We are genuinely innovative and student-focused. Our research groups are working on a broad range of collaborative areas tackling real-world issues. Here are a few examples:

• Our data scientists carefully consider how not to lie, and how not to get lied to with data. Interpreting data correctly is especially important because much of our data science research is applied directly or indirectly to social policies, including health, care and education.
• We do practical research with financial data (for example, assessing the risk of collapse of the UK’s banking system) as well as theoretical research in financial instruments such as insurance policies or asset portfolios.
• We also research how physical processes develop in time and space. Applications of this range from modelling epilepsy to modelling electronic cables.
• Our optimisation experts work out how to do the same job with less resource, or how to do more with the same resource.
• Our pure maths group are currently working on two new funded projects entitled ‘Machine learning for recognising tangled 3D objects’ and ‘Searching for gems in the landscape of cyclically presented groups’.
• We also do research into mathematical education and use exciting technologies such as electroencephalography or eye tracking to measure exactly what a learner is feeling. Our research aims to encourage the implementation of ‘the four Cs’ of modern education, which are critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity.

Why we're great.

• We have active links with industry to broaden your employment potential and placement opportunities.
• Build your knowledge in all areas of statistics, data analysis and probability.
• Specialise in many areas including survey methodology, operations research and applied mathematics.

Our expert staff

Our department is committed to providing you with the academic support you need to succeed. Our flexible policy means some staff are always available, whilst others maintain regular drop-in times. Staff are always happy to arrange appointments for longer discussions, and no issue is too big or too small. Our academics are strongly committed to research and teaching. They have published several well-regarded articles and books and are leaders in their fields, with papers appearing in journals such as Journal of American Statistical Association, Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, Bernoulli, and Scandinavian Journal of Statistics .

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Specialist facilities

• Unique to Essex is our renowned Maths Support Centre , which offers help to students, staff and local businesses on a range of mathematical problems. Throughout term-time, we can chat through mathematical problems either on a one-to-one or small group basis
• We have our own computer labs for the exclusive use of students in the Department of Mathematical Sciences – in addition to your core maths modules, you gain computing knowledge of software including Matlab and Maple
• We host events and seminars throughout the year
• Our students run a lively Mathematics Society, an active and social group where you can explore your interest in your subject with other students

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Your future

Working in industries such as health, business, social care and finance, graduates are consistently in demand, working on projects such as efficacy of social policy, comparable data of cardiac rehabilitation and manipulation of raw data for academic research. Our Masters graduates have progressed into careers in banking and finance, actuarial sciences, biological sciences, market research and statistics, management and consultancy, the online betting industry and work as data scientists. We also offer supervision for PhD, MPhil and MSc by Dissertation. We have an international reputation in many areas such as semi-group theory, optimisation, probability, applied statistics, bioinformatics and mathematical biology, and our staff are strongly committed to research and to the promotion of graduate activities. We additionally work with our Employability and Careers Centre to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.