Unit information: Project in 2015/16

Unit name	Project
Unit code	MATH32206
Credit points	40
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Dr. Leslie
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Mathematics
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

Project unit

There is a very wide range of topics available. Full details are given in the project handbook, available on the handbook webpage (http://www.maths.bris.ac.uk/study/undergrad/handbooks/).

Aims

To give students an opportunity to study a topic of their choice, working more or less independently, and to develop experience of report-writing and oral presentation.

Intended Learning Outcomes

The projects are very variable, and no general statement of mathematical learning objectives is possible.

Transferable Skills:

Self-directed study; library research and use of the mathematical literature; time management; report writing; oral presentation.

Teaching Information

Guidance from supervisor, leading to independent study with further discussion with supervisor as necessary. Skills training is provided early in teaching block 1; details are in the project handbook, available on the handbook webpage (http://www.maths.bris.ac.uk/study/undergrad/handbooks/).

Assessment Information

The student produces a written report (contributing 80% of the final assessment mark), produces a poster (contributing 10% of the final assessment mark) and gives a short talk (contributing 10% of the final assessment mark). The dates for submission of the written report and poster are in the project handbook, available on the handbook webpage (http://www.maths.bris.ac.uk/study/undergrad/handbooks/). The dates for the project talks will be published in the Blackboard course "MATHS_PROJECTS", and emailed to all enrolled students.

Reading and References

Here are some books on how to write, and particularly how to write scientific and mathematical reports.

1. S. Krantz, A Primer of Mathematical Writing, Being a Disquisition on Having Your Ideas

Recorded, Typeset, Published, Read and Appreciated (American Mathematical Society, 1997), contains a lot of sensible advice, though some of it is aimed more at research workers than undergraduates.

1. N. J. Higham Handbook of Writing for the Mathematical Sciences (S.I.A.M. 1993/1998), particularly

good on writing advanced mathematics, but also discusses basics.

1. Joan Van Emden, Effective Communication for Science and Technology Palgrave Macmillan, 2001
2. Phyllis Creme and Mary R. Lea, Writing at University 2nd ed., (Open University Press, 2003).

Includes report writing, electronic writing, using the Internet.

1. R. Barrass, Students must write (Routledge Falmer, 1995): wide-ranging and useful.
2. C. Turk & J. Kirkman, Effective Writing, E. & F. N. Spon, 1989: aimed particularly at technical

writing.