First Year Discrete Mathematics BSc/MEng 2025/26
The first year course for Discrete Mathematics students introduces students to basic concepts in the area of Discrete Mathematics. It provides the background knowledge and skills necessary for a deeper understanding of the discipline, as well as a motivation for the breadth of topics to be covered later in the course. Students will learn basic concepts in university mathematics (like proofs, formal arguments, rigour and calculations), exercise mathematical reasoning, perform combinatorial analysis, and acquire knowledge about discrete structures. There is opportunity to develop transferable skills, and the flexibility inherent in the Warwick system allows students to follow their interests in a variety of allied fields, especially in Mathematics and Computer Science.
The normal load is 120 CATS credits. The core of the first year comprises ten modules (105 CATS). In the core, students are required to take four modules from the core of Mathematics (45 CATS), two modules from the core of Computer Science (30 CATS), and two modules focused on Discrete Mathematics with one introducing fundamental concepts in discrete mathematics and another introducing formal methods for describing and analysing the behaviour of computational systems (20 CATS together). Students should take the remaining CATS selected from the list of optional modules. In theory, students may take up to 30 CATS of unusual options. However, we advise that first year students do not take more than 120 CATS in total.
Core Modules
| Code | Name | Term | CATS Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CS118 | Programming for Computer Scientists | 1 | 15 |
| CS126 | Design of Information Structures | 2 | 15 |
| CS143 | Logic and Automata | 2 | 10 |
| CS146 | Introduction to Discrete Mathematics | 1 | 10 |
| MA138 | Sets and Numbers | 1 | 10 |
| MA142 | Calculus 1 | 1 | 10 |
| MA143 | Calculus 2 | 2 | 10 |
| MA149 | Linear Algebra | 2 | 15 |
| MA1K2 | Refresher Mathematics * | Pre-Term | 0 |
| ST120 | Introduction to Probability | 1 | 10 |
* Online delivery prior to start of Term 1
Optional Modules - List B
| Code | Name | Term | CATS Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CS133 | Professional Skills | 1,2 | 15 |
| CS139 | Web Development Technologies | 2 | 15 |
| CS140 | Computer Security | 1 | 15 |
| CS141 | Functional Programming | 2 | 15 |
| MA133 | Differential Equations * | 2 | 10 |
| MA145 | Mathematical Methods and Modelling 2 | 2 | 10 |
| MA147 | Mathematical Methods and Modelling 1 | 1 | 10 |
| ST121 | Statistical Laboratory ** | 2 | 10 |
| A Foreign Language | Various | up to 15*** |
List B modules may have lecture clashes with core modules. Please check the module timetable before making your choice: Central Timetabling Office - University of Warwick
* MA133 cannot be taken with MA145 or MA147
** ST121 is a pre-requisite for many Statistics modules in future years because the R language is covered; the full list of restrictions are available here.
*** 15 CAT language modules count as usual options. 30 CAT language modules will require students to use part of their unusual options allowance.
Modules from Other Departments (Unusual Options)
More information on modules taught by other departments can be found in the Module Catalogue. Please note the list of restricted modules (which is not exhaustive).
It is a requirement that you submit an Unusual Options Form in parallel with any local module enrolment processes.
Enrolment on WBS (IB-coded modules) must be requested via Online Student Records (e:Vision) and MyWBS.
Students are not permitted to enrol on CS130, MA117 , MA140/MA152, MA148 due to overlapping content with CS146, CS118, MA142/MA143, MA149 respectively. CS143 can only be taken at the value of 10 CATS.