BSc (Hons) Mathematics and Philosophy Bachelor's degree at the University of Sheffield

This core module is designed to consolidate A-level material and explore topics in mathematics that you'll use throughout your degree. You'll also be introduced to core skills, such as mathematical literacy, communication and problem-solving. Throughout this module you'll develop a strong foundation in core mathematics. You'll consider techniques for solving equations, special functions, calculus, vectors, complex numbers, and finite and infinite series.

This core module is designed to further develop your knowledge of the core mathematics you'll use across your degree. You'll learn about two-dimensional coordinate geometry, discussing the theory of matrices geometrically and algebraically. You'll also define and evaluate derivatives and integrals for functions that depend on more than one variable, with an emphasis on functions of two variables. Throughout this module you'll continue to develop your employability skills, exploring the career op

The module aims to give an overview of basic constructions in pure mathematics; starting from the integers, we develop some theory of the integers, introducing theorems, proofs, and abstraction. This leads to the idea of axioms and general algebraic structures, with groups treated as a principal example. The process of constructing the real numbers from the rationals is also considered, as a preparation for "analysis", the branch of mathematics where the properties of sequences of real numbers a

Philosophical writing is a skill that you, the student, must hone early on in order to succeed in your degree. It is also a transferable skill that will serve you in your post-academic career. Philosophical writing combines the general virtues of clarity, organisation, focus and style found in other academic writing with particular philosophical virtues; namely, the ability to expose the implicit assumptions of analysed texts and to make explicit the logical structure of one's own and other peop

This module teaches basic philosophical concepts and skills to do with argument. The first part of the course deals with arguments in ordinary language. It teaches techniques for recognizing, interpreting, analyzing, and assessing arguments of various kinds. It also teaches important concepts related to arguments, such as truth, validity, explanation, entailment, consistency, and necessity. The second part of the course is a basic introduction to formal logic. It teaches how to translate ordinar

This module introduces topics which will be useful throughout students' time as undergraduates and in employment. These skills fall into two categories: computer literacy and presentation skills. One aim of this module is to develop programming skills within Python to perform mathematical investigations. Students will also meet the typesetting package LaTeX, the web design language HTML, and Excel for spreadsheets. These will be used for making investigations, and preparing reports and presentat

Mathematics is the language of science. By framing a scientific question in mathematical language, it is possible to gain deep insight into the empirical world. This module aims to give students an appreciation of this astonishing phenomenon. It will introduce them to the concept of mathematical modelling via examples from throughout science, which may include biology, physics, environmental sciences, and more. Along the way, a range of mathematical techniques will be learned that tend to appear

Probability theory is branch of mathematics concerned with the study of chance phenomena. Data science involves the handling and analysis of data using a variety of tools: statistical inference, machine learning, and graphical methods. The first part of the module introduces probability theory, providing a foundation for further probability and statistics modules, and for the statistical inference methods taught here. Examples are presented from diverse areas, and case studies involving a variet

This module is an introduction to a range of topics in epistemology, metaphysics, and the philosophy of mind. In the first half of the module we consider questions such as: How should we understand knowledge? What implications does cognitive and cultural diversity have for our understanding of knowledge? Should we privilege some points of view? Should we trust others? Can we wrong them if we don't? And what should we say about disagreement? In the second half of the module we ask questions such

Religious traditions typically understand reality as involving more than just the tangible physical world. This module tackles philosophical questions about religion and reality. These include questions about different conceptions of God and the justification for religious beliefs, such as belief in God, supernatural forces and an afterlife. And questions about the nature of religious 'beliefs': are these the same kind of thing as mundane 'beliefs'? They also include questions about reality, rai

This module introduces students to some key topics in the Philosophy of Sex and Queer Theory. We will begin with the surprisingly difficult questions of what sex is, and what a sexual orientation is, examining these questions from the perspective of contemporary philosophy, and also the history of sexuality and desire. We will consider a range of issues around the nature of embodiment, for example, whether there are only two biological sexes (male and female), as well as social and political imp

This module introduces students to some core questions in ethics, political philosophy, and social philosophy. We ask questions such as: What is a good life for you? What is a morally good life? Does being virtuous matter? What kind of moral consideration do we owe to non-human animals and the environment? Turning to political philosophy, we consider how societies should be organised if they are to realise values such as freedom, equality, and community. How should we understand these values? An

This is a module on the relationship between science, society, and values and serves as an introduction to the philosophy of science and bioethics. Science plays an essential role in modern society. We trust science, and its results, on a day to day basis as we navigate our worlds and interact with each other. Yet, what is it about science, or scientific methodology, that makes it so trustworthy? We will investigate a range of questions that concern the epistemology and social structure of scien