Unit information: Project in 2014/15

Unit name	Project
Unit code	MATHM2203
Credit points	30
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Professor. Beaumont
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Mathematics
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

This project extends over the first two terms, and a written report is to be handed in at the beginning of the Summer term. A list of suggested topics is made available to students.

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. See below under Transferable Skills.

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.

Assessment Information

The student normally produces a written report (contributing 90% of the final assessment mark) and gives a short talk about it (contributing 10% of the final assessment mark). The dates for submission of the written report are in the project handbook, available on the handbook webpage. The dates for the project talks will be published in the Blackboard course "MATHS_PROJECTS", and emailed to all enrolled students.

Reading and References

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.
2. 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.
3. Joan Van Emden, Effective Communication for Science and Technology Palgrave Macmillan, 2001 Phyllis Creme and Mary R. Lea, Writing at University 2nd ed., (Open University Press, 2003). Includes report writing, electronic writing, using the Internet.
4. R. Barrass, Students must write (Routledge Falmer, 1995): wide-ranging and useful. C. Turk & J. Kirkman, Effective Writing, E. & F. N. Spon, 1989: aimed particularly at technical writing.