D'Math University | Computing & Interdisciplinary Mathematics

MSc Numerical Analysis

A rigorous postgraduate programme covering the mathematical theory and algorithms of numerical computation — approximation theory, differential equation solvers, spectral methods, and error analysis — with industrial collaboration at its core.

Postgraduate 1 Year Online Mathematical Computing
10
Taught Modules
£64k
Avg Graduate Salary
32+
Industry Partners
Industrial Collaboration

Programme Overview

What You Will Study

Numerical Analysis is the mathematical study of how to solve problems that have no closed-form solution — analysing error, convergence, and stability with full mathematical rigour while producing algorithms that run efficiently at scale.

  • Theory: approximation theory, error analysis, convergence and stability proofs
  • ODE & PDE Solvers: Runge-Kutta, finite difference, finite element, spectral
  • Linear Systems: direct solvers, iterative methods, multigrid, preconditioning
  • Research Project: industry-partnered or academic numerical analysis investigation

Programme Highlights

Graduates of this programme enter highly specialised roles in scientific software, aerospace, automotive engineering, and academic research — with some of the strongest mathematical credentials in the computing field.

  • Industrial Partners: collaborations with aerospace, automotive, and engineering firms
  • Software Focus: MATLAB, Python (NumPy/SciPy), C++, and FORTRAN for legacy codebases
  • Theory & Practice: rigorous proofs alongside implementation in every module
  • PhD Pathway: strong track record of graduates joining leading PhD programmes
Course Catalogue

Click any course to view its objective and learning outcomes.

NUM 501 Numerical Linear Algebra +

Objective

To solve large-scale linear systems and eigenvalue problems efficiently.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply LU, QR, Cholesky and SVD factorisations.
  • Use Krylov-subspace methods.
  • Apply preconditioning techniques.
  • Analyse stability and conditioning.
  • Implement BLAS-level routines.
Interactive Activity — 2×2 Matrix Transformation
Set the entries of a 2×2 matrix. Watch how it transforms the unit square. Determinant = signed area of the transformed square.
a = 1.0 b = 0.5 c = -0.3 d = 1.0
NUM 502 Numerical PDEs +

Objective

To solve PDEs numerically with stable, convergent schemes.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply finite-difference methods.
  • Analyse stability via von Neumann.
  • Apply finite-volume methods.
  • Use multigrid solvers.
  • Verify against analytical solutions.
Interactive Activity — Vector Field & Gradient Visualizer
Pick a scalar field f(x,y). Gradient arrows point in the direction of steepest ascent. Click anywhere to drop a particle that follows the gradient.
f(x,y) =
Click on the plot to drop a particle.
NUM 503 Finite Element Methods +

Objective

To apply FEM to elliptic and time-dependent problems.

Learning Outcomes

  • Derive weak formulations.
  • Choose finite-element spaces.
  • Apply Galerkin methods.
  • Use a posteriori error estimates.
  • Implement FEM in software.
NUM 504 Iterative Methods +

Objective

To solve large sparse linear systems iteratively.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply CG, GMRES and BiCGSTAB.
  • Use preconditioning effectively.
  • Analyse convergence rates.
  • Apply multigrid methods.
  • Use domain decomposition.
NUM 505 Numerical Optimisation +

Objective

To implement and analyse modern optimisation algorithms.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply gradient and Newton methods.
  • Use trust-region methods.
  • Apply interior-point algorithms.
  • Use SQP for constrained problems.
  • Implement large-scale solvers.
Interactive Activity — Vector Field & Gradient Visualizer
Pick a scalar field f(x,y). Gradient arrows point in the direction of steepest ascent. Click anywhere to drop a particle that follows the gradient.
f(x,y) =
Click on the plot to drop a particle.
NUM 506 Spectral Methods +

Objective

To use orthogonal polynomial expansions for high-accuracy computation.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply Fourier and Chebyshev expansions.
  • Compute spectral derivatives.
  • Apply spectral methods to PDEs.
  • Use spectral element methods.
  • Analyse exponential convergence.
NUM 507 Numerical ODEs +

Objective

To solve initial-value and boundary-value ODE problems numerically.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply Runge-Kutta methods.
  • Use multistep methods.
  • Apply implicit methods for stiff problems.
  • Analyse convergence and stability.
  • Use adaptive step-size control.
Interactive Activity — Vector Field & Gradient Visualizer
Pick a scalar field f(x,y). Gradient arrows point in the direction of steepest ascent. Click anywhere to drop a particle that follows the gradient.
f(x,y) =
Click on the plot to drop a particle.
NUM 508 Computational Fluid Dynamics +

Objective

To discretise and solve fluid-flow equations.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply finite-volume methods.
  • Use SIMPLE and PISO algorithms.
  • Apply turbulence closures.
  • Discretise compressible flows.
  • Validate against benchmarks.
Interactive Activity — Vector Field & Gradient Visualizer
Pick a scalar field f(x,y). Gradient arrows point in the direction of steepest ascent. Click anywhere to drop a particle that follows the gradient.
f(x,y) =
Click on the plot to drop a particle.
NUM 509 Inverse Problems +

Objective

To recover model parameters from indirect observations.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply Tikhonov regularisation.
  • Use Bayesian inverse methods.
  • Apply SVD analysis.
  • Use iterative regularisation.
  • Solve inverse problems in imaging.
NUM 510 High-Performance Computing +

Objective

To exploit parallel hardware for scientific computation.

Learning Outcomes

  • Use MPI for distributed computing.
  • Apply OpenMP for shared memory.
  • Program GPUs with CUDA.
  • Profile and optimise scientific code.
  • Apply hybrid parallel models.
NUM 511 Approximation Theory +

Objective

To approximate functions using polynomials, splines and other bases.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply polynomial interpolation.
  • Use spline approximation.
  • Apply Chebyshev approximation.
  • Use rational approximation.
  • Apply best-approximation theory.
NUM 512 Numerical Analysis Project +

Objective

To complete an original numerical analysis research project.

Learning Outcomes

  • Identify a research-quality problem.
  • Apply rigorous numerical methods.
  • Implement and validate code.
  • Write a research-quality dissertation.
  • Present to numerical analysts.
Interactive Activity — Vector Field & Gradient Visualizer
Pick a scalar field f(x,y). Gradient arrows point in the direction of steepest ascent. Click anywhere to drop a particle that follows the gradient.
f(x,y) =
Click on the plot to drop a particle.

Core Modules

🔢

Approximation Theory

Polynomial interpolation, best approximation, Chebyshev polynomials, splines, and rational approximation theory.

📐

Numerical ODEs

Runge-Kutta methods, multistep methods, stiffness, stability analysis, and adaptive step-size control.

💻

Numerical PDEs

Finite difference, finite element, and finite volume methods for elliptic, parabolic, and hyperbolic equations.

🧮

Iterative Solvers for Linear Systems

Krylov subspace methods, GMRES, conjugate gradient, preconditioning strategies, and convergence theory.

📊

Numerical Integration & Quadrature

Gaussian quadrature, adaptive integration, multi-dimensional cubature, and Monte Carlo integration methods.

🌊

Spectral Methods

Fourier and Chebyshev spectral discretisations, pseudospectral methods, and exponential convergence theory.

🔬

Error Analysis & Stability

Forward and backward error, condition numbers, floating-point arithmetic, and rounding error propagation.

🌍

Finite Difference & Volume Methods

Conservative discretisation, upwinding, flux limiters, and applications in fluid mechanics and heat transfer.

💫

Multigrid Methods

Geometric and algebraic multigrid, smoothers, coarse-grid correction, and optimal convergence for elliptic problems.

🏗️

Numerical Analysis Project

An extended research or industrial project applying numerical methods to a significant computational problem.

Career Outcomes

📐

Numerical Analyst

Develop, analyse, and validate numerical algorithms for scientific and engineering computing in research or industry.

🔢

Computational Engineer

Apply numerical methods to structural analysis, fluid dynamics, and thermal modelling in engineering firms.

💻

Scientific Software Developer

Build and maintain numerical software libraries and simulation platforms for research institutions and industry.

🌊

Finite Element Specialist

Expert implementation and analysis of FEM for structural, thermal, and electromagnetic engineering problems.

🔬

Research Mathematician

Advance the mathematical theory of numerical computation in university or national laboratory environments.

✈️

Aerospace / Automotive Engineer

Apply computational methods to aerodynamic optimisation, crash simulation, and propulsion system modelling.

Oxford Cambridge University of Bath Strathclyde University of Maryland Texas A&M TU Munich ETH Zürich TU Delft Chalmers University

Why D'Math University — Our 4-Step Approach

01

Proof-Based Analysis

Every algorithm is studied with full convergence, stability, and error proofs — building mathematical confidence alongside coding ability.

02

Implementation Workshops

Weekly computing labs implement each method from scratch in Python, MATLAB, and C++ to build deep understanding.

03

Industrial Collaboration

Projects and guest lectures from aerospace, energy, and engineering partners bring real-world context to theoretical study.

04

Research Excellence

The programme project is conducted to journal standards, with many students co-authoring publications with supervisors.

Enrol in MSc Numerical Analysis →

Applications open year-round — become a specialist in the mathematics of computation.