Training is provided through individual supervision of research, by advanced seminar courses and conferences, and by generic courses. The PhD degree usually involves a qualifying dissertation submitted during the second year of study, which is helpful training for writing the PhD thesis. 

The main research focus of our internationally renowned Theoretical and Computational Optimisation Group is on mathematical theory and methods applicable to managerial decision-making, particularly non-linear, discrete, and multicriteria optimisation. Research is typically a mixture of theoretical investigation and practical application or industrial collaboration. In some cases it is theoretical and leads to the development of new mathematical theories applicable in management mathematics. Elements of this find their way into challenging taught courses within the School.

Members of the group teach courses such as:

• Linear and non-linear programming
• Combinatorial optimisation
• Game theory
• Operations management
• Heuristics
• Multicriteria optimisation
• Topics in management mathematics
• Research frontiers in management mathematics

Postgraduate students in the Management Mathematics Group acquire widely useful knowledge and skills, ranging from theory to computational implementation and live applications. The courses examine the basic concepts in a broad range of managerial, industrial and scientific problems and illustrate how these may be applied in a variety of contexts to provide powerful solutions. By giving seminars, attending conferences and presenting papers, students prepare themselves for professional life.

The group consists of internationally known researchers and has several funded collaborations in various subject areas. Members of the group have various and wide-ranging experience in industrial co-operation and industrial research projects. Past and present work includes projects and co-operation with Advanced Bell Lab Technologies, Avis Rent-a-Car, Blue Gate Brussels, Hongkong International Terminals (HIT), Hydro Quebec Canada, JPC Consulting, Region de Bruxelles-Capitale, RWE AG, RAG AG, ThyssenKrupp Industries, EADS, Airbus UK and Ultramar Oil.

Related links

School of Mathematics

The School of Mathematics at Birmingham University is internationally renowned for its research in many areas of mathematics.  There are flourishing research groups in algebra, analysis, applied analysis, combinatorics, fluid dynamics, numerical analysis, optimization and statistics.  The main research activities in the School are summarised by the five research groups Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Theoretical and Computational Optimization, Statistics and Mathematics Education. You can find out more on our research page.

Teaching and Learning

Training is provided through individual supervision of research, by advanced seminar courses and conferences, and through MAGIC taught courses (see below). The PhD degree involves a qualifying dissertation submitted during the second year of study. We expect students to give seminars, attend conferences and present papers, preparing them for professional life.

A successful PhD student will produce independent and original research work which should contribute to knowledge in the chosen field. This should be an exciting and extremely rewarding experience.

The School of Mathematics is a founding member of MAGIC, the 'Mathematics Access Grid: Instruction and Collaboration'. This is an interactive video conferencing resource, which is used to present lectures to postgraduate students across the whole of England. Our postgraduate lectures are broadcast to about 20 English universities and our students have the opportunity to collaborate with students and academics in other universities. This is a very exciting development and means that postgraduate students will have access to lecturers not available on their own campus.

All PhD students must take five 10 credit graduate level courses during their first three years of study. These are typically MAGIC courses, but they can also be courses presented at Summer Schools or final year undergraduate courses.

We have a vibrant postgraduate society called BUMPS which provides an active social network for research students.

Our webpage for current postgraduate students includes:

• a comprehensive guide for PhD students
• a list of recent theses

University Careers Network

Preparation for your career should be one of the first things you think about as you start university. Whether you have a clear idea of where your future aspirations lie or want to consider the broad range of opportunities available once you have a Birmingham degree, our Careers Network can help you achieve your goal.

Our unique careers guidance service is tailored to your academic subject area, offering a specialised team (in each of the five academic colleges) who can give you expert advice. Our team source exclusive work experience opportunities to help you stand out amongst the competition, with mentoring, global internships and placements available to you. Once you have a career in your sights, one-to-one support with CVs and job applications will help give you the edge.

If you make the most of the wide range of services you will be able to develop your career from the moment you arrive.

Contact us

• Sophie Miller - Careers consultant (s.a.miller@bham.ac.uk)
• Richard Newman- Careers consultant (r.j.newman@bham.ac.uk)
• Caroline Egan - Careers adviser (c.egan@bham.ac.uk)
• Brendan Bacon - Internship officer (b.bacon@bham.ac.uk)
• Carl Jukes - Applications support adviser (c.jukes@bham.ac.uk)

Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) 2009/10

The DLHE survey is conducted 6 months after graduation.

Range of Employers for Birmingham's Mathematics Graduates

• Aspire People
• Barclays
• Barnett Waddingham LLP
• Deloitte
• KPMG LLP
• PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
• Royal Bank of Scotland
• Tesco Stores Ltd
• The Insolvency Service
• University of Birmingham

Range of Courses of Further Study for Birmingham's Mathematics Graduates

• ACA - Accountancy
• MSc Accounting and Finance
• MSc Actuarial Science
• MSc Computing Systems
• MSc Economics
• MSc Finance and Investments
• MSc Operational Research
• MSc Statistics
• PGCE Mathematics
• PhD Pure Mathematics

Range of Occupations for Birmingham's Mathematics Graduates

• Audit Assistant
• Business Analyst
• Commercial Analyst
• Data Analyst
• Software Developer
• Teacher
• Trainee Accountant
• Trainee Actuary
• Trainee Auditor
• Trainee Merchandiser

Visit the Careers section of the University website for further information.