Bsc. Theoretical Mathematics

Calendar icon   2012-09-01   Scroll icon  253
Tag icon  education

During my time at Leiden University, I focused mainly on fundamental mathematical theory, giving me experience in learning the intricacies of complex abstract topics through independent study. I finished this degree with writing my dissertation titled: 'A practical comparison of boosting algorithms', in which I implemented, benchmarked and compared the performance of several boosting algorithms, namely AdaBoost, NH-boost.DT and Squint-boost. During this work, I discovered practical performance issues in a new algorithm, leading to new research avenues.

In addition to this, I completed a minor in computer science, focusing on fundamental programming concepts as data structures and algorithms. I implemented several standard AI and computer science programmes, such as chess playing bots, self-balancing data structures and realistic interactive scenes using computer graphics. During the development of these programs, I also implemented several tools for testing the programmes that eventually helped the lecturers mark the work of other pupils with much greater ease.

Finally, during my time at this degree, I was very actively involved in my Student Union De Leidsche Flesch. I consider the study trip for 50 students to various institutions in Switzerland including CERN, Google Zürich, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich (ETH), and École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), organizing lectures at each of those to be one of my most outstanding achievements.