AIMS offers an intensive 1 year taught Master’s degree in mathematical Sciences accredited by the University of Ghana, University of Cape Coast and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
The course provides both a broad overview of cutting-edge sciences and strong mathematical and computing research skills. The course is unique, offering students exposure to a range of topics, thereby allowing them to make an informed choice as to their future specialisation. The goal is to develop well-rounded scientists, with excellent problem-solving skills, capable of creative thinking and genuine innovation.
Faculties from the Universities of Ghana and Cape Coast and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology have been intimately involved in developing the AIMS course, ensuring it is well integrated with local undergraduate and master’s courses, and with local postgraduate research opportunities.
World-leading scientists and educators have volunteered to teach at AIMS. Their participation ensures an education of the highest international quality.
Tutors (often including AIMS alumni) provide teaching and administrative assistance, assistance to foreign language speakers, and continuity across the visiting lecturers.
Students are registered at one of the three local universities: Cape Coast, Ghana or KNUST.
Completing a course of such scope and depth in just one academic year is possible only if it is highly intensive, so students must come prepared to work hard and focus. The residential nature of AIMS allows far greater contact time between lecturers and students than normally available in a university setting. Courses are student-centred but very demanding. Students study two subjects at a time every three weeks, with morning lectures and related afternoon problem solving and computing sessions. Each course consists of 30 hours contact time (10 per week). Additional tutorials and special lectures are often held in the evenings, when students complete their assignments. No special preparation for the course is needed on a student’s part. However, the working language is English and foreign students are advised to take an English language course before arrival. The course also carries a large component of scientific computing, and many hours are spent in the computer lab; students who have improved their touch typing skills before the programme will have a distinct advantage.
Teaching at AIMS-Ghana
The Master’s degree in the Mathematical Sciences is a 10-month programme which runs over 3 semesters. There is an oral defense of the research project at the end of the academic year followed by a graduation ceremony.
Semester 1 Skills courses: These are designed to provide introductory and foundational material to the students, and are structured to achieve pre-defined outcomes, with little flexibility in their content. All courses are compulsory.
Semester 2 Review Courses: These are fundamentally different in that they include a wide range of topical issues and are more flexibly designed. Students are required to complete 2 out of the 3 available review courses in each time slot, a total of 12. The 3 choices in each time slot will be balanced with respect to focus on mathematics, physics and interdisciplinary topics such as computer science, biomathematics, financial mathematics, and more. The on-going
Semester 3 Essay phase: During the seven-week-long essay phase students work on a research topic with a supervisor. Students are encouraged to produce essays which could for example be publishable in a journal, or form an outstanding introduction to the field that could be used by other students entering the area.
During this phase targeted communication skills and computing classes may continue, at the lecturers’ discretion. The purpose of the essay phase is
- to give students the opportunity to work with an expert supervisor on a non-trivial project;
- to go through the process of independently reviewing, understanding and explaining scientific or mathematical material;
- to optionally (usually) do experiments – on a computer or otherwise – and report the results;
- to write a scientific report.