Reading list for Mathematics applicants

Mathematics students do not tend to buy lots of books, so there is no need to buy every book on the module reading lists when you arrive. Instead it may make sense to buy a few key books, to support your studies, particularly in areas that are unfamiliar. Note also that there are second-hand books available at bookshops on the campus, so it may not make sense to buy a lot of books before you come. They are also in the libraries, and you can borrow them (maybe only for a short period) to see whether you like them, before investing in a copy.

It is certainly worthwhile do some reading before you start, especially if you have taken a gap year. You could revise some of the A-level material you studied (calculus, mechanics, probability), or push slightly further into topics such as complex numbers, matrices or differential equations. (These may appear in Further Mathematics A-level.)

Of the books that we recommend to first years here are a few suggestions:

Calculus and Geometry (semester 1), and Advanced Calculus (semester 2), also to a lesser extent for Vectors and Matrices (semester 1):

Finney R.L., Maurice D., Weir M and Giordano F.R. Thomas' calculus based on the original work by George B. Thomas, Jr. 10th or later Addison-Wesley 2003 000-0-321-11636-4

(Don't be put off by its size: only selected topics are studied in depth in these modules.)

Vectors and Matrices (semester 1):

Allenby R.B. Linear Algebra, Modular Mathematics Arnold 1995 000-0-340-61044-1

Hamilton, A.G. Linear Algebra: an introduction with concurrent examples ed. Cambridge University Press 1989 000-0-521-32517

Numbers, Symmetries and Groups module (semester 2):

Jordan, C. and Jordan, D. Groups Arnold 1994 0-340-61045-X

Allenby R.B.J.T. Numbers and Proofs Arnold 1997 000-0-340-67653-1

Liebeck M. A Concise Introduction to Pure Mathematics Chapman & Hall 2000 000-1-584-88193-3

Armstrong M A Groups and Symmetry Springer 1988 3-540-96657-7

(Pure mathematics at University is somewhat different from at A-level, involving more rigour and proof, as well as generalising concepts. Any of the above books would give a flavour of university pure mathematics.)

Dynamics (semester 2):

Collinson C.D. and Roper T. Particle Mechanics Arnold 1995 000-0-340-61046-8

(An inexpensive introduction which overlaps with A-level.)

Probability and Discrete Mathematics (semester 2):

McColl J.H. Probability Butterworth-Heinemann 1995 000-0-340-61426-9