Course summary

The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2024). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas. The MSc in Mathematics and Foundations of Computer Science, run jointly by the Mathematical Institute and the Department of Computer Science is a full-time course which focuses on the interface between pure mathematics and theoretical computer science. The mathematical side of the course concentrates on areas where computers are used, or which are relevant to computer science, namely algebra, general topology, number theory, combinatorics and logic. Examples from the computing side include computational complexity, concurrency, computational learning theory, and quantum computing. You will take a minimum of five optional courses, and write a dissertation. There are no core modules on the course. Apart from the dissertation, around 75% of the course comprises taught content and 25% is self-directed learning. The course is suitable for those who wish to pursue research in pure mathematics (especially algebra, number theory, combinatorics, general topology and their computational aspects), 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 course runs from the beginning of October through to the end of September, including the dissertation.