- UCAS course code
- GG13
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Early clearing information
This course may be available through clearing for home and international applicants
If you already have your exam results, meet the entry requirements, and are not holding an offer from a university or college, then you may be able to apply to this course.
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Master of Mathematics (MMath)
MMath Mathematics and Statistics
Duration: 4 years
Year of entry: 2025
UCAS course code: GG13 / Institution code: M20
- Key features:
Scholarships available
Accredited course
- Typical A-level offer: A*AA including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: A*AB including specific subjects
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: A*BB including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 37 points overall with 7,6,6 at HL, including specific requirements
Course unit details:
Mathematical Communication and Group Projects
| Unit code | MATH20062 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 10 |
| Unit level | Level 2 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
In the Group Project, students will work together in small groups to produce two written accounts of topics of mathematical interest and give a presentation. Students will develop skills in researching mathematics, mathematical communication, and working together as a group; these are graduate skills that are important and in demand for mathematical practitioners in both industry and research and in other numerate professions.
The project takes place in Semester 2. During Semester 1, students submit their preferences on project topics. Students are then assigned to groups of size 4—5 based on these project preferences. Projects will be across the spectrum of mathematical sciences and may include: traditional areas/problems in mathematics; data analysis; mathematical modelling; history of mathematics; ethical and societal uses of mathematics; interdisciplinary projects across the University.
The mini-project is intended to be an introduction to working together as a group and mathematical writing. The group will agree, in consultation with their group mentor, a straightforward topic of mathematical interest (this could be a topic covered at A-level/high-school or in our 1st year) and write a report in a style that would be of interest to non-mathematicians, for example suitable for publication in a high-school magazine.
The main project and presentation will train students in researching and communicating more advanced mathematical ideas. Students will have already picked a topic for the project (see above). The presentation takes place in Week 12 or Week 13 in front of the project mentor and another academic. The presentation could be an oral presentation but need not be (it could also be a video presentation, podcast, poster, etc); but it must be able to be delivered within 10 minutes and must be in a medium other than a written report.
Each student will complete a weekly reflective log. Students will comment on their contributions to the group project that week, their plans for the following week, and reflect on their and others’ contributions to the project.
Pre/co-requisites
| Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linear Algebra | MATH11022 | Pre-Requisite | Compulsory |
| Mathematical Foundations & Analysis | MATH11121 | Pre-Requisite | Compulsory |
| Introduction to Vector Calculus | MATH11411 | Pre-Requisite | Compulsory |
| Probability I | MATH11711 | Pre-Requisite | Compulsory |
Aims
The unit aims to: develop students’ mathematical research skills, group-working skills, and communication skills.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- Research topics of mathematical interest, as part of a group
- Communicate mathematics via a variety of media
- Reflect on their own approach to independent study and their approach to group work
Teaching and learning methods
Students will select their preferences for main projects during Semester 1. Students will be allocated to groups based on this information ahead of the start of Semester 2.
Week 1: Introductory talk and ice-breaker sessions (2 x 2hrs) by unit leads on how the group project unit works, writing mathematics, how to find and cite appropriate sources, how to work well together as a group, and signposting of further resources on Blackboard.
Week 2: Group meeting with project mentor
Weeks 2-4: Group write the mini-project, deadline end of Week 4
Weeks 5-10: Groups work on their project and presentation, deadline end of Week 10
Week 6 or 7: Group meeting with project mentor
Week 10: Talk and workshop on presenting mathematics
Week 11-12/13: Groups finalise presentations and give presentations in front of their peers and a member of staff.
Weekly in Weeks 2-12: individuals record progress in their reflective logs on Blackboard.
Assessment methods
A short article (‘mini-project’), written as a group, on an elementary topic of mathematics, submitted at the end of Week 4.
2,000 words max, 20% weighting
A group report (‘main project’) on a topic of mathematical interest, submitted at the end of Week 11
6,000 words max, 50% weighting
A group presentation on the group report in Week 12/13
10 min presentation + 5 min questions, 20% weighting
An individual reflective log
Form completed on Blackboard, 10% weighting
Marking: Students will receive an individual mark for each component. First, a group mark is awarded for each piece of work. Each group member will evaluate their and other group members’ contribution to the piece of work and this (together with input from the Project Mentor via the reflective logs, if necessary) will allow adjustments to be made for each individual.
The reflective log is marked out of 10. Students gain 1 mark for each week that they make a serious attempt at completing the reflective log (capped at 10)
Feedback methods
A short article (‘mini-project’), written as a group, on an elementary topic of mathematics, submitted at the end of Week 4.
Feedback is provided in Week 5/6 from the project mentor.
A group report (‘project’) on a topic of mathematical interest, submitted at the end of Week 11
Feedback is provided at the end of the semester, following completion of the unit, from the project mentor via Blackboard
A group presentation on the group report in Week 12
Feedback is provided at the end of the semester, following completion of the unit.
An individual reflective log
Feedback is provided at the end of the semester, following completion of the unit, from the project mentor via Blackboard
Recommended reading
N.J. Higham, Handbook of writing for the mathematical sciences (3rd ed), SIAM (2020).
F. Vivaldi, Mathematical Writing, Springer (2014)
Study hours
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 100 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Neil Morrison | Unit coordinator |
| Gabor Megyesi | Unit coordinator |