Billy Woods

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In 2025-26, I am the module leader for

  • IA115 (mathematical methods and statistics),
  • IA126 (mathematics for computer science).
I use the online assessment software Numbas. I have created and maintain a large collection of tried-and-tested Numbas questions, many of which I intend to publish - watch this space.

Outside of my work at Essex, I (very sporadically) maintain a YouTube channel covering advanced areas of mathematics. It currently contains 18 videos, comprising (most of) an informal online course called an unorthodox introduction to algebraic number theory.

Past teaching:

  • At Essex, I have taught on the following modules:
    • IA112 (essential mathematics)
    • IA115 (mathematical methods and statistics)
    • IA124 (mathematics and statistics for economics and business)
    • IA126 (mathematics for computer science)
    • IA127 (statistics for psychology)
    • MA181 (discrete mathematics)
    • MA202 (ordinary differential equations)
    • SK084 (mathematics and statistics for academic study)
    I have also supported either teaching or assessment in the following modules:
    • CE141 (mathematics for computing)
    • IA128 (mathematics and statistics for biological sciences)
    • IA160 (computer programming)
    • MA830 (capstone project)
  • Before this, I taught at Glasgow (2017-19), Oxford (2013-16), Queen Mary (2012-13) and Cambridge (2011-12). I have taught across all of pure mathematics, from pre-undergraduate to master's level: at higher levels, my focus has been on algebra and number theory. I have occasionally also taught outside this remit: e.g. statistics, vector calculus, group theory for chemistry students, an introductory course in programming in C...
  • I have also delivered a number of short courses (e.g. the Sutton Trust STEP Easter School), and created and delivered a number of one-off outreach talks (e.g. Royal Institution Mathematics Masterclasses).

I have taught across the whole gamut of pure mathematics in the past, from pre-undergraduate to master's level, focusing at higher levels on algebra and number theory. (I have occasionally also taught outside this remit: e.g. statistics, vector calculus, group theory for chemistry students, an introductory course in programming in C...)