Maths in the real world

Fewer students are studying maths

Lara Croft's pony tail swings perfectly and there is a good reason for that.

It is all about mathematical dynamical equations.

Students who sign up for a new maths course at Dundee University could find themselves studying such technical problems, as well as many others which relate to developments in science.

The course, which will start next autumn, aims to marry maths and biology, showing students how to use equations to solve biomedical problems.

Not a tweed jacket in sight

It was devised by Professor Mark Chaplain, who says maths will be crucial in making breakthroughs in life sciences this century.

"Operating theatres, hi-tech manufacturing lines and the computer games industry are where you find mathematicians these days," he said.

"People still think of us as sad lonely individuals with no dress sense but in fact I am working with the top scientists in the country every day giving them solutions to medical problems."

Part of his research involves working with surgeons and cancer experts to make mathematical models to try to predict the way a patient's tumour will grow.

Other applications for maths which Dundee students will look at include prediction models for the spread of disease and equations to work out how many fish are left in the North Sea.

Easy options

The number of pupils studying maths at A-level and at university is falling and universities are keen to reverse the trend.

Last year 12,000 pupils dropped maths after taking their AS-levels and chose not to go on to do the second part of the A-level, known as the A2.

And figures from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service showed the number of students applying to study for a degree in maths dropped by over 12% this year.

Professor Chaplain believes pupils opt for easier subjects, though he said they might regret it later.

"Maths is difficult and the freedom of choice they have at that stage might lead them to take the easier option," he said.

"But this has a big knock-on effect in technology and industry. Maths plays a big role in a hi-tech society.

"The image of a mathematician as an Albert Einstein figure, wild-haired and detached from real life could not be further from the truth. They are people who solve real life problems."