Introductory description

N/A

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

The Research Project is an individual, supervised project in mathematics. Projects may be undertaken in any area of mathematics offered by members of staff in the Department.

Project Selection and Registration:
Prior to registering for the Research Project, students are required to:

1. Identify a member of staff willing to act as supervisor;
2. Agree a project theme that is appropriate to the student’s mathematical background and interests and consistent with the supervisor’s expertise;
3. Agree a provisional project title and brief, and discuss the aims and objectives of the project. It is expected that these may be refined and renegotiated as the project develops.
   An up-to-date list of Research Project themes offered by staff members is maintained on the Department’s web page.

Supervision Arrangements:
At the outset of the project, students should meet with their supervisor to establish expectations regarding the scope and nature of the project, including (where appropriate) literature review, theoretical work, and computational or numerical components. Arrangements for regular supervisory meetings should also be agreed. Typically, supervision consists of meetings of approximately one hour per week during Terms 1 and 2, during which progress on the project is reviewed, guidance is provided on the direction of the research, and students have the opportunity to raise questions and discuss any difficulties encountered.

Interim Report (Term 2):
At the beginning of Term 2, students are required to complete a short Interim Report and to meet with their supervisor to discuss progress to date and plans for the remainder of the project. Following this meeting, the Interim Report must be submitted by the published deadline.

Dissertation (Term 2):
During Term 2, students are expected to discuss the preparation of the written dissertation with their supervisor. Draft sections are normally reviewed as the dissertation is developed. The dissertation must be prepared using the LaTeX template provided by the Department. The main body of the dissertation should normally be approximately 30 pages in length (excluding the title page, table of contents, and bibliography) and must not exceed 40 pages. If necessary, additional material may be included in the form of appendices. The dissertation must be submitted by the published deadline (usually during the Easter Vacation).

Final Presentation (Term 3):
By the beginning of Term 3, students and supervisors should agree the schedule and format of the final presentation. The date, time, and mode of presentation (typically using a blackboard or computer slides) are determined by mutual agreement. The presentation will normally be of 20–25 minutes’ duration and will be followed by a period of questioning on the content of the talk and dissertation.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Have experienced mathematics as it is pursued close to the frontiers of research, not just as a spectator sport but as an engaging, evolving activity in which the student has played a part.
• Carry out independent research, access and extract relevant information from suitable publications, organise time efffectively.
• Have developed scholarly writing skills, which a coherent and substantial report, fully referenced, and typeset.
• Have honed presentations skills with a substantial presentation in term 3 and present themselves with confindence.

Subject specific skills

See learning outcomes.

Transferable skills

Students will acquire key reasoning and problem solving skills which will empower them to address new problems with confidence.