This joint degree offers the opportunity to combine an appreciation of mathematical reasoning with an understanding of computing and its ability to solve problems on a large scale.
Mathematics is a fundamental intellectual tool in computing, but computing is increasingly also a tool in mathematical problem solving.
Teaching in Mathematics and Computer Science, as in most other subjects, has two main components: University lectures and classes, and college tutorials. The lectures and classes are provided and held in the Department of Computer Science. The tutorials are held in college and cover all first-year and second-year courses, thus providing a firm grounding in the core topics from both subjects; students are then free to choose options from a wide range of Mathematics and Computer Science subjects.
The teaching provision at Jesus College is generous in relation to the number of Mathematics and Computer Science students. While many Oxford colleges have only on tutor in Computer Science, Jesus College have two tutors, who are committed to research in computer science as well as to teaching, and who together will cover a wide range of subjects. Mathematics has a long tradition at Jesus.
The course concentrates on areas where mathematics and computing are most relevant to each other, emphasising the bridges between theory and practice. It offers opportunities for potential computer scientists both to develop a deeper understanding of the mathematical foundations of their subject, and to acquire a familiarity with the mathematics of application areas where computers can solve otherwise intractable problems. It also gives mathematicians access to both a practical understanding of the use of computers, and deeper understanding of the limits on the use of computers in their own subject.
Mathematics and Computer Science can be studied for three years (BA) or four years (Master of Mathematics and Computer Science). The fourth year allows the study of advanced topics and an in-depth research project. Everyone applies for the four-year course. Exit points are not decided until the third year.
More details on the structure of the degree can be found here.
Tutorial Fellows
Professor Andrew Dancer
Professor Andrew Dancer’s research is in differential geometry, especially the study of Einstein spaces. He is responsible for the teaching of pure mathematics including algebra, analysis, geometry and topology.
Professor James Oliver
Professor James Oliver’s research is predominantly in fluid dynamics and its applications to free and moving boundary problems in industry, engineering and biology. He teaches Physical Applied Mathematics.
Professor Robin Evans
Professor Robin Evans teaches probability and statistics for the College. His research interests include statistical causality, graphical models and algebraic statistics.
Professor Seth Flaxman
Professor Seth Flaxman is a Fellow and an Associate Professor of Artificial Intelligence. His research is in machine learning, public health, and public policy. He teaches programming computer science courses.
Professor Standa Živný
Professor Standa Živný is a Fellow and a Professor of Theoretical Computer Science. His research is in algorithms and complexity theory. He teaches theoretical computer science courses.
Non-Tutorial Fellows
Dr Oiwi Parker Jones
Dr Oiwi Parker Jones is a Hugh Prize Fellow and a Postdoctoral Researcher. He teaches machine learning, neuroscience, linguistics and phonetics.
Professor Sir Nigel Shadbolt
Professor Sir Nigel Shadbolt is Principal of Jesus College and a Professorial Research Fellow in Computer Science.
Professor Sam Staton
Professor Sam Staton is a Hugh Prize Fellow and a Professor of Computer Science. He teaches Principles of Programming Languages.
Lecturers
Dr Atılım Güneş Baydin
Dr Atılım Güneş Baydin is a Departmental Lecturer in machine learning at the Department of Computer Science and a Senior Researcher in machine learning at the Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford. His research interests are Machine learning, probabilistic and differentiable programming, simulation-based inference, applications in physical sciences and space.
Dr Matthias Lanzinger
Dr Matthias Lanzinger is a senior research associate in the Department of Computer Science. His research interests are in Theoretical Computer Science, Discrete Mathematics and Logic.
Izar Alonso Lorenzo
Izar Alonso Lorenzo teaches Pure Mathematics and her research interests are in Differential Geometry.
Miss Ellen Luckins
Miss Ellen Luckins teaches Differential Equations, Integral Transforms and Prelims Geometry.
The deadline to submit your application for undergraduate study via UCAS is 16 October (please note that this date is usually 15 October, except where this date falls on a weekend). Please refer to the University’s webpages for detailed information on how to apply.
Places available at Jesus College
In a total College entry of about 100 undergraduates, 2 places are offered in a typical year to read Mathematics and Computer Science.
Academic requirements
Academic requirements for this course can be found here.
Selection criteria
The specific selection criteria are given on the Mathematical Institute and Department of Computer Science websites.
Admissions tests
All candidates must take the Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT) as part of their application. Separate registration for this test is required and it is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure that they are registered by the deadline of 29 September 2023. We strongly recommend making the arrangements in plenty of time before the deadline. Everything you need to know, including how to register and guidance on how to prepare, can be found can be found here.
Written work
You do not need to submit any written work as part of an application for this course.
Interviews
Interviews are held in mid-December. If you are interviewed at Jesus you can typically expect two separate computer science interviews and two separate mathematics interviews, all with different tutors. The interviews will involve some general questions, but most of the time will be spent discussing logical and mathematical topics
Deferred Entry
Please refer to the Departmental website for subject-specific advice.
The Tutors have no objection in principle to offering a place to a candidate who wishes to defer entry for a year, provided this intention is made known at the outset. You must apply for deferred entry at the time of application to Oxford: you cannot change your mind after an offer has been made.
You should be aware that applicants who are offered places for deferred entry will generally be among the very strongest of the cohort for their subject, and the College limits its offers of deferred places in order not to disadvantage candidates applying in the following year. In some cases, an applicant for deferred entry may be offered a place for non-deferred entry instead.
Joint Schools
Mathematics and Computer Science can both be studied as a single discipline and are also available as a joint course as follows:
Both the Mathematical Institute and the Department of Computer Science and Oxford enjoy a high reputation, both nationally and internationally, for the excellence of its teaching and research, and re among the largest in the country.
Research at Oxford covers a very wide range in both theoretical and applied Mathematics and Computer Science. It attracts generous research funding and draws students and visiting faculty from all parts of the world.
The following degrees are available at postgraduate level:
- DPhil in Computer Science
- DPhil in Mathematics
- MSc in Computer Science
- MSc in Mathematical Sciences
- MSc in Mathematics and Foundations of Computer Science
This course gives training in logical thought and expression, and is a good preparation for many careers. About 20% of Mathematics and Computer Science graduates tend to go on to further study. Recent graduates secured positions as software and hardware professionals in research, finance and investment analysis, and include a product controller for an international bank, an actuarial consultant and an accountant.
Please use the links below for further information:
If you have any questions about entrance requirements, or about applying to study at Jesus College, please contact the Admissions Officer:
Email: admissions.officer@jesus.ox.ac.uk
Web: www.jesus.ox.ac.uk