Jonathan Weightman

Jonathan Weightman, from North Yorkshire, began a BSc Mathematics degree in 2009.

Why did you choose to study at Dundee?

I think Dundee is a lovely city and is very student oriented, giving it a great feel. I really like how the University is on a campus, which makes it a very friendly space, for studying but also for socialising and a great place to live. Much of the accommodation, the Student Union, the Main Library and many lecture theatres and classrooms are all within a very short walk, while the city centre is only a 5-10minute walk away, and where there are many social activities for the day and the night!

What is the best thing about your course and why?

From an academic perspective, the lectures are very clear and informative. The lecturers and other professors or members of staff in the Mathematics department are very friendly and helpful if there is something you don't fully understand or if you have a problem with a piece of work. From a social perspective, there are numerous events throughout the year which all classes of Mathematics are invited to, nights out in the Union and a Ball each year.

Have you taken part in any student exchanges/work placements?

I took part in the Student Tutoring Programme, which gives students the opportunity to gain some valuable in-class work experience in a primary or secondary school. This is a fantastic opportunity for those thinking about a career in teaching, or those who have already applied who would like more experience. The careers service were very helpful and efficient in organising this programme.

What has been your best learning experience to date and why?

For me there isn't any particular one learning experience that has been better than any others. What I find best about the mathematics degree programme is that each week you have workshops. In these you are given the questions to do in class on the material that has just been or is being covered with the help of the lecturer or postgraduate students if needed. This gives you a chance to try the kind of questions that you could be asked in the future for an exam. If you are having any problems with any of the course material it is your chance for it to be explained.

What information do you think applicants need to know before starting this course?

Overall I would highly recommend in first year moving into University accommodation because like myself, you might not know anyone else at the University and so you immediately meet your flatmates, who will mostly be in the same situation as you, and get to know them. Then you will meet people on your course and expand your social circle.

Before starting in Mathematics I would say that although in first and second years, you won't study all mathematics modules, this is a good opportunity to study modules from other subject areas, as there are many fields that a degree in Mathematics can relate to. These modules may help decide what career path to choose after your degree. In third and fourth years you will study modules relating to the research strengths of the Mathematics department (E.g. Mathematical Biology, Mathematics of Fluids and Plasmas), which again give you experience in different field of Mathematics, useful for career choice or particularly for future study.

What was your experience of settling into life in Dundee when you first arrived?

I came from a small village in North Yorkshire so moving to Dundee was a big change. I met and quickly got to know my flatmates, with whom wen had many great nights out and social events together. I met many people on my course and through Dundee University Sub Aqua Club, of which i am still a member of now. Getting to know people, the campus and the city was very easy.

What sports activities or clubs/societies (if any) are you involved with?

I am involved in DUSAC (Dundee University Sub Aqua Club), which is a sports club. Scuba diving had already been a hobby of mine before coming to University, so joining the club it was great to meet people sharing your hobby. The club invites people who have never dived before, to start training towards qualifications, but also have many trained members who enjoy diving for fun. It is a very social club as not only do we meet every week at a bar, we organise trips around the UK for diving, sometimes for whole weekends and have also begun international trips, for example last year members of the club went to the Red Sea for a week together.

What has been your best University experience to date and why?

My University experience has been fantastic on the whole, I have had many great experiences, so it is difficult to choose one! If I had to it would be a weekend in first year I went on a diving trip with the club to the west coast of Scotland. It was a chance to go away for the weekend with other students for some diving, but also to have a break from studying, we had some lovely food and a couple of great nights out, making it a great time on the whole.