MMSC Student Profiles

"MMSC has equipped me with invaluable problem-solving skills"

Tasha Neelakandan (2023-24)

I previously completed my undergraduate degree in Mathematics at UCL. I was initially drawn to the MMSC course because of its unique combination of theoretical work and practical applications. With an interest in biomathematics, I especially looked forward to enrolling in Mathematical Physiology, which involved topics such as modelling the electrochemical action of the heart or wave propagation in neurons. I also appreciated that this course was assessed in the form of a special topic, where we had the freedom to choose a project title from an area beyond the course material. 

The component of the MMSC course that I most enjoyed was the dissertation, where I was given the opportunity to work on an industrial project with a battery modelling company. This aligned with my goal to gain experience in using mathematics to tackle real-life challenges. Although battery modelling is an area that I had no prior experience with, my supervisors readily supported and guided me throughout the research process. After reviewing the necessary background material, I found it satisfying to be able to apply techniques that I had been learning throughout the year to this project. By the end of the dissertation, I had gained confidence in my ability to formulate, discuss, and present mathematical ideas. 

Overall, the MMSC course has equipped me with invaluable problem-solving skills, as well as life-long friendships that I am incredibly grateful for. I always looked forward to seeing my classmates during our daily coffee and biscuit break in the maths common room, which is something that I will definitely miss!

"...you will come into contact with how real-world research is done, while being supervised by top-notch researchers!"

Isma Leal Askerova (2023-24)

My first motivation to apply for the MMSC was Oxford's prestige and the scope of the course syllabus, but I wasn't expecting such a friendly and familiar atmosphere within the students of my cohort.

I am as satisfied with the course materials and structure as I expected: I have learnt advanced Numerical Analysis and Linear Algebra, together with (what seemed like an infinite amount of) methods to solve PDEs. We received individual corrections for our exercises and had small tutorials that helped each of us with our struggles, making it a very smooth learning experience.

However, my favourite part of the course was the large amount of practical work. The Special Topics, the Case Studies, and the Dissertation allow you to find a problem that seems interesting to you and investigate it. This way, you will come into contact with how real-world research is done, while being supervised by top-notch researchers!

I am especially grateful to my whole cohort for bearing our suffering together with such an enthusiasm.

"I felt incredibly supported throughout this course"

Eloise Robinson (2023-2024)

When I applied for the MMSC course, my goals were to improve my skills in applied mathematics, explore mathematical biology, and build more confidence in my mathematical abilities. I particularly liked that the course offered a combination of core courses in numerical analysis, applied mathematics, and computing, as well as special topics where I would be able to explore mathematical biology – an area I hadn’t previously studied.

I felt incredibly supported throughout this course. The professors at the Mathematical Institute understand the challenges of the course, and I found there was always someone willing to help with any and all questions. The course itself was very intense and required a significant amount of hard work, but the help from professors and the sense of camaraderie in the cohort definitely helped.

Though challenging, the experience was immensely rewarding. Many concepts from my undergraduate studies finally "clicked" into place for me, and I can confidently say that I’ve learnt a great deal. Reflecting on the year, I feel significantly more confident in my mathematical abilities, and for me personally, the course gave me exactly what I had hoped to gain when I first applied.

"I am grateful for the fantastic community of people I met during the course"

Jake Bowhay (2023-24)

After studying a broad range of topics during my undergraduate degree, I decided to undertake a master's degree in applied mathematics. However, at this point, I was unsure whether to focus on mathematical modelling or numerical analysis. This made the MMSC an appealing choice as it allowed me to study the two subjects in tandem. Moreover, I was excited by the prospect that many of the courses were assessed by coursework, as I had previously enjoyed being able to find my own direction in my work.
Reflecting on my time on the MMSC I am grateful for the fantastic community of people I met during the course. The course structure is such that the cohort quickly forms a tight-knit group. Academically, I enjoyed the special topics as not only do you get to choose from a broad range of interesting courses, but you also get to develop your knowledge independently in an area of your choosing during the coursework project. Finally, the dissertation was a rewarding experience that allowed me to apply what I learned over the year under a great supervisor while also learning research skills.