Our new Discrete Mathematics course, which is taught jointly with the Warwick Mathematics Institute, is a distinctive degree that focuses on the mathematics that unpins computer science as a discipline and its many current and emerging applications. Discrete Mathematics is about the study of mathematical structures that are discrete, in contrast to continuous, such as graphs, trees and networks. The importance of discrete mathematics lies in its applications. It plays an essential role in modelling the natural world, e.g., modelling the genome, and the technological world, e.g., routing on the Internet. As well as being at the core of modern computer science and operational research, it is commonly applied in cryptography, computer security, banking and auctions, coding theory, algorithms, theory of computing, telecommunication and search engines.

The aims of the course include:

• Providing you with an academic perspective on discrete mathematics, addresses key topics in areas such as mathematics, analysis, discrete structures, algorithmic applications and optimisation problems.
• Developing your ability to think rigorously and analytically to solve complex real-world problems, particularly using mathematical reasoning, combinatorial analysis, discrete structures and algorithmic thinking
• Equipping you with a range of technical and transferable skills that are relevant to your future career.

As with all our degrees, the aim of the curriculum is to prepare you for the challenges of industry and encourage the level of critical and creative engagement that is vital to long-term success.

Course Content

In your first year you will gain the background knowledge and skills necessary for a deeper understanding of discrete mathematics and its applications. In particular, you will cover topics in university-level mathematics such as proofs, formal arguments, rigour and calculations, as well as mathematical reasoning, combinatorial analysis, and discrete structures. In addition to these theoretical pursuits you will also gain skills in the design and implementation of data structures and algorithms, which represents a key application area for discrete mathematics.

In your second year you will integrate the mathematical and computational perspectives that underpin discrete mathematics, providing you with a rigorous understanding of the theoretical basis for discrete mathematics and preparing you for different specialisations of study in discrete structures and algorithms. The core modules you will study include areas such as combinatorics, graph theory and the design of algorithms and data structures. As in your first year, you will be taught in the Department of Computer Science and the Warwick Mathematics Institute.

In your final year of study you will focus on the application of discrete mathematics to computer science. You will undertake an individual project in discrete mathematics, as well as a selection of advanced modules relating to algorithms and computation.

A detailed listing of the course structure is available for the 1st, the 2nd, and 3rd years of Discrete Mathematics.

Throughout your degree you will have the opportunity to study a wide selection of optional modules to broaden your educational experience, including modules in languages, humanities, social science and many other areas.

Entry Requirements

For UK students, our typical A-level and Scottish Advanced Highers offer is A*AA including an A* in Mathematics or Further Mathematics.

You must also meet our minimum language requirement, which is a grade C in GCSE English or IELTS 6.0.

If your qualification is not listed, please see our detailed entry requirements or contact ugadmissions at warwick dot ac dot uk for further information.