Mathematics
Research information PhD/MPhil
3 years full-time; 5 years part-time/2 years full-time; 3 years part-time
Entry qualifications
Applicants should have a good honours degree or a Masters degree in mathematics, mathematics education, science or engineering, as relevant, or an equivalent qualification.
The School of Mathematics has two departments:
- The Department of Mathematical Sciences and
- The Mathematics Education Centre.
Applicants should address their application to the appropriate department.
Department of Mathematical Sciences
Research Proposal
Applicants need not submit a detailed research proposal with their application, but should indicate which area of research they wish to pursue and/or the names of staff members they would be interested in working with.
Mathematics Education Centre
Research Proposal
Applicants should complete a University application form and accompany it with a piece of academic writing. This should be a specially constructed piece of writing (2-3 sides of A4) in which you set out your interests for PhD study in mathematics education, make reference to books or articles you have consulted relevant to these interests, and provide a brief outline of the research study you might undertake.
Please indicate the area in which you would like to study (possibly from the list below) and the person with whom you would like to work if appropriate.
Research focuses upon mathematics and statistics education within higher education both for specialist mathematicians and for students of other disciplines. Typically research focuses on aspects of the learning and/or teaching of mathematics and related elements such as the use of new technology or the special needs of some students.
Dr Lara Alcock, Dr Irene Biza, Prof Tony Croft, Dr Paul Hernandez-Martinez, Dr Matthew Inglis, Prof Barbara Jaworski, Dr Ian Jones, Dr Alun Owen, Dr Carol Robinson, Dr David Sirl, Clare Trott
- Mathematics and statistics support
- Identities of learners and teachers within a mathematics environment
- Communities of inquiry in developing mathematics learning and teaching
- Cognitive processes in developing mathematical concepts
- Approaches to teaching mathematics topics such as calculus or linear algebra
- Learning and teaching of proof
- Implementation of emerging technologies in mathematics learning and teaching
- Mathematics support of students with additional needs
- Transition from school to university
School Support and Training for Research Students
All research students are provided with a desk, computer, photocopying facilities and funds for conference attendance.
The School enjoys a dynamic research atmosphere with regular workshops, international visitors and a wide range of research seminars, with research students make regular presentations to the latter. Many research students are employed as tutorial assistants for undergraduate programmes, for which they receive training and payment.
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