MSc Pure Mathematics / Course details

A list of possible project titles and supervisors will be circulated early in semester one. Students may substitute an alternative title, subject to a member of staff being willing to supervise it. The project supervisor will provide a description of the project, and a partial list of library references. It is then the responsibility of the student to read up on the topic, and (eventually) to write a report on it. Project supervisors will give some guidance on the early chapters, but otherwise supervision is expected to be minimal.

The project gives the student the experience of working independently providing useful practice for later life. The skills developed are regarded highly by employers and this is useful when applying for jobs. The experience of preparing the project will also provide useful training for writing the dissertation (and, for those who go on to study for a PhD, writing a doctoral thesis).

The main project is assessed by two independent examiners, the project supervisor and a second member of academic staff. The student must also participate in oral examinations (one for each project), which form an integral part of the course unit. The oral for the main project is conducted by both examiners during the relevant examination period.  

To allow the student to personally research a particular mathematics topic and to produce his/her own expository description of it.

Learning outcomes: At the end of the course unit the student will:

• have successfully located information regarding a chosen mathematical topic;
• used independent learning skills to read and research the chosen topic;
• acquired some factual knowledge of the chosen topic;
• written an expository account of the chosen topic, showing an appreciation of the subject area.

Mini project: 8 weeks, 33.3% weighting. 
Main project: 16 weeks, 66.6% weighting.

10 credits will be awarded for the mini-project and 20 credits will be awarded for the main-project.

For both projects 80% of the marks for the project will be awarded for the quality of the written report. The examiners will look for:

Structure:

Clear definition of aims and objectives
Selection of material
Organisation and ordering of material
 

Presentation:

Precise and effective communication
Clarity of writing and exposition
 

Accuracy:

Correctness of arguments
Factual accuracy
Mathematical precision
 

Initiative

Originality:

Independent thinking and individual expression
Critical writing (as opposed to routine copying)
Independent use of library and external sources
 

Understanding:

Appreciation of the meaning, context and significance of the work
 

The remaining 20% in each project will be awarded based on performance in an oral exam.

Please see Blackboard / course unit related emails for any further updates.