The principal aim of the Department is to train professional mathematicians to pursue the study of scientific and technological problems by mathematical methods, and to undertake research in various branches of the subject, for which it has achieved RAE ratings of 5* and 5. A further important function is to provide instruction in mathematics for students who require it as ancillary to courses of study in other departments of the College. The main subject groups are: pure mathematics, applied mathematics, numerical analysis, mathematical physics, statistics and mathematical finance.