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Project - MAT00004H

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  • Department: Mathematics
  • Module co-ordinator: Prof. Atsushi Higuchi
  • Credit value: 40 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
    • See module specification for other years: 2021-22

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2022-23 to Summer Term 2022-23

Module aims

To develop your ability to carry out an independent investigation of a mathematical topic and to present a clear account of your findings.

Module learning outcomes

  • Be able to acquire mathematical expertise in a largely autonomous fashion, making use of available mathematical literature as a stimulus to independent thought.
  • Be able to synthesise mathematical information from a number of different sources.
  • Be able to critically evaluate mathematics encountered in the existing literature.
  • Be able to create a synopsis of mathematics learned over an extended period (6 months).
  • Be able to communicate mathematics clearly and concisely, as a written narrative and in the form of a poster.
  • Be able to fluently use LaTeX.
  • Be able to use a computer graphics package, to prepare a mathematical poster.
  • Be able to present a poster at a poster session.

Module content

Students can choose the mathematical topic that they want to investigate, either from an extensive list of titles offered by the Department, or by coming up with a topic of their own.

Project choices are made at the beginning of Autumn term and supervisors allocated shortly afterwards.

In AuT, building on skills taught in previous years, students will develop their mathematical research and presentation skills, including mathematical writing and the use of LaTeX. Two formative assignments in AuT allow students to further develop LaTeX skills learned earlier in the degree, and one summative assignment worth 5% assesses progress on introductory elements of the project in AuT

Most of the independent investigatory work takes place in AuT and SpT, the organisation of which is largely the responsibility of the individual student. An initial meeting with the project supervisor at the beginning of AuT is supplemented by weekly or fortnightly meetings during SpT, to ensure that steady progress is made.

A first draft of the project dissertation is presented to the project supervisor at the beginning of the SuT, and the supervisor will present constructive feedback shortly afterwards. The deadline for submission of the final version is Monday of Week 4. Students are then invited to submit a poster summarising their dissertation, for presentation during a poster session in Week 8.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Coursework		 N/A 5
Essay/coursework
Dissertation		 N/A 85
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
Poster Presentation		 N/A 10

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

Only the dissertation component can be re-assessed. In the event of re-assessment the marks from both the coursework and the poster will be carried forward.

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Dissertation		 N/A 85

Module feedback

  • Marked coursework returned wtth group feedback in practicals and lectures during AuT and A3 returned and discussed in one-to-one sessions during early SpT
  • Regular meetings with project supervisor during SpT.
  • First draft of dissertation returned with comments during early SuT.
  • Final mark for dissertation and poster available during Week 10, SuT.

Indicative reading

Departmental web pages about LaTeX and the resources listed there.

Writing Mathematics:

L Gillman, Writing Mathematics Well: a manual for authors, MAA (S 0.149 GIL).

N J Higham, Handbook of Writing for the Mathematical Sciences, SIAM. (S 0.149 HIG).

E E Knuth, T Larrabee and P M Roberts, Mathematical Writing, MAA (S0.249 KNU).

S G Krantz, A Primer of Mathematical Writing, American Mathematical Society (S 0.149 KRA).


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.