University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2022/23 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Arts > Department of Philosophy > Logic and Philosophy of Mathematics (MA) > Specification
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Programme code | 1PHIL013T |
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Programme type | Postgraduate Taught Degree |
Programme director(s) |
Max Jones
|
Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
School/department | Department of Philosophy |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 1 years (full time) |
This section sets out why studying this programme is important, both in terms of inspiring you as an individual and in considering the challenges we face. It describes how this degree programme contributes to:
This programme aims to develop the students interest in and knowledge and understanding of Logic, the Philosophy of Logic, and the Philosophy of Mathematics. The programme will involve dedicated units in logic, the philosophy of logic, the philosophy of mathematics.
Students taking the programme will end up with a detailed appreciation of the philosophical aspects of modern logic and mathematics, and a deep understanding of the methodological, epistemological and ontological problems raised by recent work in these areas.
More precisely, a student who completes the programme will: (i) acquire the background knowledge and the technical skills to undertake further research of a sophisticated and technical nature in these areas and to make original contributions to them, (ii) acquire a detailed understanding of the core results in logical meta-theory, set theory, etc., (iii) acquire a critical awareness and sophisticated understanding of the philosophical issues surrounding these and logic in general, including the different philosophical positions one may take with respect to these issues, and a sophisticated ability to critically evaluate and assess those positions, (iv) acquire a critical awareness and sophisticated understanding of the central issues in the philosophy of mathematics, including the different philosophical positions one may take with respect to these issues, and a sophisticated ability to critically evaluate and assess those positions.
This programme will equip students with the necessary knowledge and research skills to go on to do a PhD.
The learning outcome statements shown below for your programme have been developed with reference to relevant national subject benchmarks (where they exist), national qualification descriptors (see the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) and professional body requirements.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies are listed to show how you will be able to achieve and demonstrate the learning outcomes.
This programme provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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|
Teaching will be by a combination of lectures and discussion seminars. |
Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
Essays, seminar presentations, one-on-one tutorials, and dissertation. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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|
A combination of lectures, seminars and tutorials. |
Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
Essays, seminar presentations, one-on-one tutorials, and dissertations. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
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|
Lectures and seminars, including a specialised seminar in "Philosophical Writing and Research Skills" |
Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
Seminar presentation. |
This section describes what is expected from you at each level of your programme. This illustrates increasing intellectual standards as you progress through the programme. These levels are mapped against the national level descriptors published by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Certificate |
To achieve a PG Certificate, students need to have achieved 60 credit points, with all assessed work achieving the minimum pass mark of 50%. To achieve this, students need to have a good understanding of the basic philosophical subjects covered by the program. |
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Level M/7 - Postgraduate Diploma |
To achieve a PG Diploma, students need to have achieved 120 credit points, with all assessed work achieving the minimum pass mark of 50%. To achieve this, students need to have a good understanding of a wide range of the philosophical subjects covered by the program. |
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Masters |
To achieve the MA, students need to have achieved 180 credit points, with all assessed work achieving the minimum pass mark of 50%. Students should exhibit a grasp of the material covered, and be able to write essays at, a level significantly above that of undergraduate. Students should have the ability to conduct independent research into a topic, and to present a detailed, cogent argument. |
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the postgraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/postgraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
This is a unique MA programme, that draws on the Bristol philosophy department's expertise in the areas of logic, philosophical logic, and the philosophy of mathematics.
In order to tailor the units taken to the students' abilities and interests, incoming students will be assessed by the MA and unit directors upon entry and an appropriate course structure devised in consultation with the student to ensure successful learning outcomes.
The programme may be studied part-time over two years.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Dissertation | PHILM0001 | 60 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
Epistemology and Metaphysics | PHILM0021 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Philosophy and History of Mathematics | PHILM0016 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Philosophical Writing and Research Seminar | PHILM0025 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Students should also choose either MATHM1300, or both MATH30100 & MATH32000. | ||||
Axiomatic Set Theory | MATHM1300 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Set Theory | MATH32000 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Logic | MATH30100 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Select up to 40 credit points from the list below or from units on other MAs offered by the Departments of Philosophy or Mathematics (see relevant web page for Maths Department): | ||||
Philosophical Logic Project | PHILM0034 | 20 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 |
Philosophy of Biology | PHILM0006 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Philosophy of Physics | PHILM0005 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Philosophy of Psychology | PHILM0020 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Philosophy of Science | PHILM0033 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
History of Science | PHILM0007 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Philosophy of Probability | PHILM0028 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Supervised Independent Study | PHILM0041 | 20 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 |
Supervised Independent Study 2 | PHILM0040 | 20 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 |
Personal Option Unit | PHILM0038 | 20 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 |
Personal Option Unit 2 | PHILM0039 | 20 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 |
MA | 180 |
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to exit from the programme with a postgraduate diploma or certificate.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds but is permitted in designated programmes (as set out in the programme specification) where students choose to withdraw from the intended programme but otherwise achieve the necessary credit points for the exit award.
The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:
Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.
** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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