Mathematics and computer science.

Hi,
I'm thinking about studying mathematics and computer science in university, I've always enjoyed maths, however I'm not sure whether just maths wouldn't be too much for me. That's why I've decided to combine it with computer science.
I do 5 A levels, where only 3 I can think to be relevant to this degree maths, further maths and ict.

I'm just wondering if anyone has done this course and what they have to say about it. Also any common career paths after this? I'd really like to become an actuary, however I don't want to narrow myself to just that by taking something like actuarial sciences, therefore I came up with mathematics and computer science.

Any information I'd be thankful for.

Also thinking about writing my personal statement for this, don't think there's much I could write about, do you think it's worth volunteering for something like DreamHack or similar events?

Thaaaanks

Reply 1

Oxford Computer Science Dept

2

Hi.
We talk about subject choice for our CompSci degrees (including maths and comp sci) here: http://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/ugadmissions/why_oxford/standard_conditional_offers.html There's a section on subject choice at school, which you might find useful. It's Oxford specific, but we're not to different from other top unis for these subjects.

There's advice on writing a personal statement here: http://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/ugadmissions/how_to_apply/personal_statement.html
And some suggestions of background reading/activities for the CompSci side here: http://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/ugadmissions/why_oxford/background_reading.html
Our Maths Institute has similar information for prospective students: http://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/study-here/undergraduate-study/mathematics-university

Hope that helps.

Reply 2

Vineeth

5

Original post by Oxford Computer Science Dept

Hi.
We talk about subject choice for our CompSci degrees (including maths and comp sci) here: http://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/ugadmissions/why_oxford/standard_conditional_offers.html There's a section on subject choice at school, which you might find useful. It's Oxford specific, but we're not to different from other top unis for these subjects.

There's advice on writing a personal statement here: http://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/ugadmissions/how_to_apply/personal_statement.html
And some suggestions of background reading/activities for the CompSci side here: http://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/ugadmissions/why_oxford/background_reading.html
Our Maths Institute has similar information for prospective students: http://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/study-here/undergraduate-study/mathematics-university

Hope that helps.

I got shortlisted for an interview at Oxford for Math with CS.Do you have any suggestions on how to prepare for the interview?
Thanks!

Reply 3

Oxford Computer Science Dept

2

Original post by Vineeth

I got shortlisted for an interview at Oxford for Math with CS.Do you have any suggestions on how to prepare for the interview?
Thanks!

Congratulations.

You might find it useful to sit down with a non-sciency/mathys adult and explain to them what it was you did in recent, for example, Maths/Physics classes. Get them to ask you questions, until they get to the point where they understand what you're talking about. Use a pen and paper (or maybe a whiteboard.) This will give you experience of talking about difficult mathematical concepts out loud. (And also helps to consolidate your knowledge of the subject. ) Which is what you'll be asked to do at interview. Doing the same with old MAT questions can be useful too.

(I'd also suggest you go back over your PS - it's possible you'll be asked a question about something on there.)

You might find these pages interesting/helpful:

http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/interviews
http://www.ox.ac.uk/sites/files/oxford/field/field_document/Interviews_Guide_2013.pdf
http://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/ugadmissions/how_to_apply/interviews.html
http://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/study-here/undergraduate-study/interviews

Reply 4

TVIO

12

Original post by Placeboo123

Hi,
I'm thinking about studying mathematics and computer science in university, I've always enjoyed maths, however I'm not sure whether just maths wouldn't be too much for me. That's why I've decided to combine it with computer science.
I do 5 A levels, where only 3 I can think to be relevant to this degree maths, further maths and ict.

I'm just wondering if anyone has done this course and what they have to say about it. Also any common career paths after this? I'd really like to become an actuary, however I don't want to narrow myself to just that by taking something like actuarial sciences, therefore I came up with mathematics and computer science.

Any information I'd be thankful for.

Also thinking about writing my personal statement for this, don't think there's much I could write about, do you think it's worth volunteering for something like DreamHack or similar events?

Thaaaanks

Please don't do ICT, it's not at all useful for computer science (seriously, 0 use), and I personally hated it with a passion. Do computing if that's an available option, otherwise just do some sciences (physics being the common one, maybe chemistry). ICT would make an OK 4th/5th choice but I'd never recommend anyone do that horrible subject :P
Applied for pure comp sci myself, maths+FM is the best combo and you need to get good grades in them. Maths is muuuch more important than even computing at a level.

Reply 5

Vineeth

5

Original post by Oxford Computer Science Dept

Congratulations.

You might find it useful to sit down with a non-sciency/mathys adult and explain to them what it was you did in recent, for example, Maths/Physics classes. Get them to ask you questions, until they get to the point where they understand what you're talking about. Use a pen and paper (or maybe a whiteboard.) This will give you experience of talking about difficult mathematical concepts out loud. (And also helps to consolidate your knowledge of the subject. ) Which is what you'll be asked to do at interview. Doing the same with old MAT questions can be useful too.

(I'd also suggest you go back over your PS - it's possible you'll be asked a question about something on there.)

You might find these pages interesting/helpful:

http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/interviews
http://www.ox.ac.uk/sites/files/oxford/field/field_document/Interviews_Guide_2013.pdf
http://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/ugadmissions/how_to_apply/interviews.html
http://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/study-here/undergraduate-study/interviews

Thanks for the information! Also, since I am an international student, will the interview through skype be different from a normal interview?

Reply 6

Oxford Computer Science Dept

2

Original post by Vineeth

Thanks for the information! Also, since I am an international student, will the interview through skype be different from a normal interview?

The interviewers will realise that the Skype interface isn't ideal, and make suitable adjustments the best they can. They might ask questions that can be discussed verbally. In the worst case, you can write on paper, and then either hold it up to the camera or read it out. However, it's useful to the interviewer to know what you're thinking, so maybe read things out as you write them. Alternatively, if you have access to a whiteboard/flip-chart, etc., you could try writing on that (but test out in advance how it looks on the screen).

It may be that you only get an interview at one college, rather than being automatically interviewed at a second college as those who come to Oxford are.

Mathematics and computer science.

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