Program Overview

MSc in Mathematics and Foundations of Computer Science

The MSc in Mathematics and Foundations of Computer Science is a taught, full-time course that focuses on the interface between pure mathematics and theoretical computer science. It is run by the Mathematical Institute and the Department of Computer Science.

About the Course

The course is suitable for those who wish to pursue research in pure mathematics, mathematical logic, or theoretical computer science. It is also suitable for students wishing to enter industry with an understanding of mathematical and logical design and concurrency. The mathematical side of the course concentrates on areas where computers are used or which are relevant to computer science, including algebra, general topology, number theory, combinatorics, and logic.

Course Structure

The course includes a compulsory dissertation on a topic related to the course material. Students will take a minimum of five optional lecture courses from across the two departments, usually representing around 16 hours of lectures and associated classes. The lecture courses will be divided into schedule I (basic) and schedule II (advanced).

Attendance

The course is full-time and requires attendance in Oxford. Full-time students are subject to the University's Residence requirements. The course runs from the beginning of October through to the end of September, including the dissertation. Apart from the dissertation, around 75% of the course comprises taught content and 25% is self-directed learning.

Resources to Support Your Study

As a graduate student, you will have access to the University's wide range of resources, including libraries, museums, galleries, digital resources, and IT services. The Bodleian Libraries is the largest library system in the UK, and the University's IT Services is available to all students to support with core university IT systems and tools.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Mathematical Institute and/or the Department of Computer Science. You will be assigned an initial supervisor on arrival in Oxford, whose role is to act as an academic during the course. When you start work on your dissertation, you will find a dissertation supervisor, who is usually not the same as your initial supervisor.

Assessment

Each lecture course taken from the course option list will receive an assessment upon its completion by means of a take-home assessment (mini-project). You will be required to pass five option courses, including at least two taken from the schedule II level. During Trinity term and over the summer, you will complete a dissertation on a topic agreed with your supervisor.

Graduate Destinations

Graduates typically pursue careers in academia or the technology sector. A high proportion of students on the course are interested in continuing study at research degree level.

Changes to This Course

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration.

Course Components

Compulsory Study

The course includes a compulsory dissertation on a topic related to the course material.

Options

You will take a minimum of five optional lecture courses from across the two departments. The lecture courses will be divided into schedule I (basic) and schedule II (advanced). The following list of optional courses is indicative:

• Schedule I (basic):
  • Algebraic Topology
  • Algebraic Number Theory
  • Analytic Number Theory
  • Analytic Topology
  • Categories, Proofs, and Processes
  • Category Theory
  • Computer-Aided Formal Verification
  • Godels Incompleteness Theorems
  • Graph Theory
  • Information Theory
  • Integer Programming
  • Introduction to Quantum Information
  • Lambda Calculus and Types
  • Model Theory
  • Quantum Processes and Computation
  • Topology and Groups
• Schedule II:
  • Additive Combinatorics
  • Applied Category Theory (directed reading course)
  • Algebraic Geometry
  • Automata, Logic and Games
  • Axiomatic Set Theory
  • Combinatorics
  • Computational Algebraic Topology
  • Classical and quantum compositional distributional meaning (directed reading course)
  • Distributed processes, types programming
  • Elliptic Curves
  • Foundations of Self-Programming Agents
  • Geometric Deep Learning
  • Geometric Group Theory
  • Homological Algebra
  • Infinite Groups
  • Introduction to Schemes
  • Low-dimensional Topology and Knot Theory
  • Networks
  • Probabilistic Combinatorics
  • Topological Groups (directed reading course)

Entry Requirements

Proven and Potential Academic Excellence

The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown.

• Degree-level qualifications: As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:
  • A first-class undergraduate degree with honours in a subject with significant mathematical content.
• GRE General Test scores: No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.
• Other qualifications, evidence of excellence, and relevant experience: Publications are not expected.
• English language proficiency: This course requires proficiency in English at the University's higher level. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement.

References

You will need to register three referees who can give an informed view of your academic ability and suitability for the course.

Supporting Documents

You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application.

Performance at Interview

Interviews may be held as part of the admissions process, at the discretion of the Admissions Panel and the Supervisory Committee.

Funding

For entry in the academic year, the collegiate University expects to offer over 1,100 full or partial graduate scholarships across a wide range of graduate courses.

Annual Course Fees

The fees for this course are charged on an annual basis.

• Home: Ł16,220
• Overseas: Ł43,730

Additional Costs

There are no compulsory elements of this course that entail additional costs beyond fees and living costs. However, as part of your course requirements, you may need to choose a dissertation, a project, or a thesis topic. Please note that, depending on your choice of topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses.

Living Costs

In addition to your course fees and any additional course-specific costs, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.

College Preference

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. The following colleges accept students on the MSc in Mathematics and Foundations of Computer Science:

• Balliol College
• Exeter College
• Hertford College
• Jesus College
• Keble College
• Kellogg College
• Lady Margaret Hall
• Linacre College
• Lincoln College
• Magdalen College
• Mansfield College
• Merton College
• New College
• Oriel College
• Pembroke College
• The Queen's College
• Reuben College
• St Anne's College
• St Catherine's College
• St Cross College
• St Edmund Hall
• St Hilda's College
• St Hugh's College
• St John's College
• St Peter's College
• Somerville College
• Trinity College
• University College
• Wadham College
• Wolfson College
• Worcester College
• Wycliffe Hall

How to Apply

You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents.

• Referees: Three overall, of which at least two must be academic.
• Official transcript(s): Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date.
• Contextual statement: If you wish to provide a contextual statement with your application, you may also submit an additional statement to provide contextual information on your socio-economic background or personal circumstances in support of your application.
• Statement of purpose: A maximum of 1,000 words. Your statement should be written in English and explain your motivation for applying for the course at Oxford, your relevant experience and education, and the specific areas that interest you and/or you intend to specialise in.