Institute of Mathematics and its

Application
Recognition leaflet 3.6
This leaflet is one of a series aimed at students who are using their studies to gain entry to a
specific career profession, or who wish to enhance their career path within a particular
vocational area.
Some professional organisations give exemption from parts of their professional qualification
structure to students who have studied relevant academic courses. This leaflet provides
advice and guidance on professional institutions and how they may value Open University
(OU) study.
We have done everything possible to provide accurate and up-to-date information, but you
are advised to contact individual professional bodies to check the suitability of your chosen
profile of modules.
The rules to do with another institution recognising a qualification have no direct relationship
to the rules for awarding an OU qualification. An institution may name subject areas or
amounts of credit that are not needed for an OU qualification, and an OU qualification may
set conditions that are not needed by another institution. When planning your studies, you
must make sure that you meet the requirements for the OUs qualification and for the
qualification to be recognised by the other institution.

Membership of the Institute

The Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) welcomes applications from all those
on a course of study in mathematics or a mathematically related discipline with The Open
University (OU). A wide range of membership grades are defined by the IMA. These grades
are chosen to reflect academic achievement and professional experience as appropriate.
The IMA recognises appropriate named degrees from the OU for its membership purposes.
It has also agreed to accept certain modules in combination and accepts the OUs credit
ratings for these courses. The IMA interprets mathematical subjects flexibly and also
accepts some modules in science and technology.
If the University has awarded you transferred credit for study with acceptable mathematical
content, such as the main mathematics course of a Certificate of Education, the IMA will give
sympathetic consideration to counting that towards its requirements.
For further information about the IMA, please visit their website www.ima.org.uk.
The five most popular grades of membership of the IMA are outlined in the paragraphs
below.
Chartered Mathematician (CMath)
Applicants for admission to the register of Chartered Mathematician must be either in the
Member or Fellow grade of the IMA and must have an honours degree in which the

mathematical content represents two-thirds or more of the course, or its equivalent. You will
also need to have had at least five years postgraduate professional experience involving the
application of mathematical knowledge. A 360-credit honours degree is acceptable if it
meets the IMAs requirements. You must include 240 credits from the lists on pages 35,
with at least 90 at Level 3. The OUs BA/BSc (Hons) Mathematics, BA/BSc (Hons)
Mathematics and Statistics, BSc (Hons) Mathematics and its Learning (and its now
discontinued BA/BSc (Hons) Mathematical Sciences and MMath degrees) will amply satisfy
the qualification requirements for CMath (followed by subsequent training and/or
experience to obtain equivalent competences to those specified by the QAA for taught
masters degrees).
Chartered Scientist (CSci)
Since October 2004, the IMA has been granted a licence by the Science Council to award
the additional designation of Chartered Scientist to its members who also satisfy the IMA
requirements for the CMath status. This acknowledges the importance and significant status
of professional mathematicians in the worldwide scientific community.
Membership (MIMA)
For Membership of the IMA, you need a degree in mathematics, a joint degree in
mathematics with another subject or a degree with a sufficient mathematical component
such as would be expected in physics or engineering. Applicants for Membership should
also be able to demonstrate that they have at least three years experience relevant to their
mathematical training and that they have an appropriate level of professional standing.
Students should include 120 credits from the lists on pages 35, following the OUs rules for
excluded combinations.
Associate Membership (AMIMA)
Associate Membership of the IMA allows individuals to participate in the IMAs activities
whilst gaining the experience required for full corporate membership. For this grade you
need a degree in mathematics, a joint degree in mathematics with another subject or a
degree with a sufficient mathematical component such as would be expected in physics or
engineering.
Student Membership
Student Members must be studying towards a qualification which is recognised for
admission to Associate Membership. See www.ima.org.uk for details of all membership
grades.
Enquiries
All applications will be dealt with individually. Applications forms are available from either the
IMA website (www.ima.org.uk) or alternatively contact:
Membership Department
The Institute of Mathematics and its Applications
Catherine Richards House,16 Nelson Street
Southend-on-Sea
Essex
SS1 1EF
Phone 01702 354020
Email [email protected]

Recommended modules
Current modules
Analysing data (M248)

Credits
30

Applications of probability (M343)

30

Complex analysis (M337)

30

Developing algebraic thinking (ME625)

30

Developing geometric thinking (ME627)

30

Developing statistical thinking (ME626)

30

Electromagnetism (SMT359)

30

Exploring mathematics (MS221)

30

Graphs, networks and design (MT365)

30

Groups and geometry (M336)

30

Linear statistical modelling (M346)

30

Mathematical methods and fluid mechanics (MST326)

30

Mathematical methods and models (MST209)

60

Mathematical modelling (MSXR209)

10

Mathematical statistics (M347)

30

Number theory and mathematical logic (M381)

30

Optimization (M373)

30

Practical modern statistics (M249)

30

Pure mathematics (M208)

60

The quantum world (SM358)

30

Using mathematics (MST121)

30

Waves, diffusion and variational principles (MS324)

30

Discontinued modules
Analysis (M231)

Credits
30

An introduction to calculus (MS284)

30

An introduction to non-linear dynamics (MS323)

30

Aspects of abstract algebra (M333)

30

Aspects of abstract algebra (M433)

30

Complex analysis (M332)

30

Computational mathematics (M371)

30

Computer algebra, chaos and simulations (MS325)

30

Control engineering (T391)

30

Control engineering (T394)

30

Developing mathematical thinking (EM235)

30

Developing mathematical thinking at Key Stage 3 (MEXR624)

10

Differential geometry (M334)

30

Differential geometry (M434)

30

Electromagnetism (SM352)

30

Electromagnetism (SMT356)

30

Elements of statistics (M246)

30

Engineering mechanics: solids and fluids (T331)

30

Fundamentals of statistical inference (M341)

30

Graphs, networks and design (TM361)

30

History of mathematics (AM289)

30

Integration and normed spaces (M331)

30

Introduction to pure mathematics (M203)

60

Learning and teaching mathematics (EM236)

30

Linear mathematics (M201)

60

Mathematics across the curriculum (PME233)

30

Mathematics foundation course (M101)

60

Mathematics in computing (M261)

30

Mathematical methods and fluid mechanics (MST322)

30

Mathematical methods, models and modelling (MST207)

60

Mathematical models and methods (MST204)

60

Mechanics and applied calculus (MST282)

30

Metric and topological spaces and geometric topology (M435)

30

Numerical computation (M351)

30

Numerical methods for differential equations (M372)

30

Partial differential equations of applied mathematics (M321)

30

Probability and statistics (M245)

30

Quantum mechanics (SM355)

30

Quantum theory and atomic structure (SM351)

30

Space, time and cosmology (S357)

30

Statistics: an interdisciplinary approach (MDT241)

30

Statistics in society (MDST242)

30

Statistical methods (M345)

30

Studies in pure mathematics (M335)

30

Studies in pure mathematics (M3826)

30

Teaching mathematical thinking at Key Stage 3 (ME624)

20

The Lebesgue integral (M431)

30

Topics in pure mathematics (M202)

60

Topics in the history of mathematics (MA290)

30

Topics in software engineering (M355)

30

Topology (M338)

30

Understanding space and time (S354)

30

Using mathematical thinking (ME234)

30

Support from the OU Careers Advisory Service

When planning your career development, it is important to recognise that academic
qualifications may play only a part in considering your suitability for a particular career or
profession. You should also consider your skills, the content of specific courses, and the
learning outcomes that are all part of OU study.
Reviewing and assessing entry qualifications and career progression is part of the whole
career planning process.
Careers website
Visit our OU Careers Advisory Service website (www.open.ac.uk/careers) for information
and advice on all aspects of career planning.
For an overview of the career planning process go to Career Planning
(www.open.ac.uk/careers/career-planning.php).
To find out about employability skills and potential career opportunities related to studying
OU subjects, go to OU Study and Your Career (www.open.ac.uk/careers/ou-studyand-your-career.php).
Our publication OU Study and Your Career is an introductory booklet about planning your
career that also looks at the value of OU study in the employment market. You can
download it from our website (www.open.ac.uk/careers/docs/ou-study-and-yourcareer.pdf) or ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for a copy.
Before you become an OU student
Before you become an OU student, contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service. We
will guide you to career information to help you decide what to study at the OU. We may also
refer you to an external careers guidance agency if you need more in-depth guidance. Once
you register as an OU student you will have access to the full range of support offered by our
Careers Advisory Service.
If you are an OU student
If you are an OU student, or if you have studied with the OU in the last three years, you can
request information, advice and guidance on all aspects of career planning and job seeking,
including help to recognise and develop your employability skills. You can contact a careers
adviser for careers guidance via the Contact tab on the home page of the careers website,
or by contacting your regional or national centre.
Careers forums
As an OU student you will have access to our online careers forums. These are topic- or
subject-based forums where you can ask questions and receive replies from a careers
adviser and support from other students. For more information visit the Forums page on the
careers website via the Services tab.
Links with employers
OU students and those who have studied within the last three years can access our:
Employer Showcase featuring employers keen to raise their profile with OU students
and graduates.
Online vacancy service where you can search for and register to be notified of
employment opportunities.
You can access these via the Services tab on the careers website.

Other leaflets in this group

Entry to higher education and employment overseas (2.4)
British Psychological Society (3.1)
Royal Town Planning Institute (3.2)
Professional engineering institutions (3.3)
Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (3.4)
Computing (3.7)
Scientific institutions (3.8)
Law (3.13)
Other organisations (3.11)
You can find the other leaflets in this group at www.open.ac.uk/recognition. They deal with
the professional organisations whose policies we know about. Institutions not mentioned in
the leaflets may also be willing to consider recognising OU qualifications, and we are happy
to support individual students in negotiations.
We are always pleased to receive information about Open University studies that are
recognised by professional organisations not yet included in the Recognition leaflets. If you
need advice or can give us information, the address is:
The Communications Team
The Open University
Hammerwood Gate
Kents Hill
Milton Keynes
MK7 6BY
Email [email protected]

More information about studying with The Open University

If you would like more information about OU courses and qualifications please visit our
website at www.open.ac.uk/study or if you would prefer one of our prospectuses, please:
click www.open.ac.uk/prospectus to order a printed copy or download a PDF
call +44 (0) 845 300 60 90 or
email [email protected]
If you need more help after reading the prospectuses or would like a large print version,
please contact:
Student Registration & Enquiry Service
The Open University
PO Box 197
Milton Keynes
MK7 6BJ
Phone +44 (0) 870 300 60 90 (Calls to this line from the UK are charge at the local rate
when calling from a UK landline)
Website www.open.ac.uk/study

For Welsh speakers

If you would prefer to discuss your study needs in Welsh, please contact:
The Open University in Wales
18 Custom House Street, Cardiff CF10 1AP
Phone +44 (0)29 2047 1019
Fax +44 (0)29 2038 8132
Email [email protected]
I siaradwyr Cymraeg
Os ydych yn siarad Cymraeg a byddain well gennych drafod eich anghenion astudio drwy
gyfrwng y Gymraeg, cysylltwch n canolfan yng Nghaerdydd:
Y Brifysgol Agored yng Nghymru
18 Heol y Tollty, Caerdydd CF10 1AP
Ffn +44 (0)29 2047 1019
Ffacs +44 (0)29 2038 8132
Ebost [email protected]

The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391), an exempt

charity in England and Wales and a charity registered in Scotland (SC 038302). We
have done everything possible to make sure the information in this publication is
accurate, but it may change in line with altered regulations, policies or other
restrictions.

Copyright The Open University 2012. Revised August 2012