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Msc Mathematics and the Foundations of Computer Science HANDBOOK MSc Mathematics and the Foundations of Computer Science HANDBOOK ISSUED OCTOBER 2014 Handbook for the MSc Mathematics and the Foundations of Computer Science Mathematical Institute 2014 Contents 1 Sources of Information 5 1.1 The Grey Book . 5 1.2 The Proctors' and Assessor's Memorandum . 5 1.3 Statements of Provision for MFoCS Students . 5 1.4 The Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division Graduate Handbook . 6 2 Useful Contacts 6 3 Finding Your Way Around 7 3.1 The Mathematical Institute . 7 3.1.1 The Andrew Wiles Building . 7 3.2 The Department of Computer Science . 7 3.3 The Lecture List . 7 3.4 Libraries . 8 4 Terminology 9 5 The University and You 10 5.1 Joint Consultative Committee with Graduates . 10 5.2 University Gazette and Oxford Blueprint . 10 5.3 University Club . 10 6 Guidance on Regulations 11 7 Reading Courses 12 8 Presentation of Miniprojects and Dissertations 13 8.1 Miniprojects . 13 8.2 Dissertations . 13 8.2.1 Wording permission for 3rd party material . 14 1 9 Regulations 15 10 Guidance on Examination Conventions 16 11 Role of the Supervisors 19 11.1 \General" supervisor . 19 11.2 \Dissertation" supervisor . 20 12 COURSES OFFERED IN 2014/2015 21 13 SECTION A: MATHEMATICAL FOUNDATIONS 23 13.1 Schedule I . 23 13.2 Algebraic Number Theory | Prof. Flynn | 16 HT . 23 13.3 Algebraic Topology | Prof. Douglas | 16MT . 25 13.4 Analytic Number Theory |Prof. Heath-Brown|16MT . 25 13.5 Analytic Topology | Dr Suabedissen | 16MT . 27 13.6 Commutative Algebra | Prof. Segal | 16HT . 27 13.7 G¨odel'sIncompleteness Theorems | Dr Isaacson | 16HT . 28 13.8 Introduction to Representation Theory | Prof Nikolov | 16 MT . 29 13.9 Lambda Calculus and Types | Dr Vicary | 16 lectures HT . 30 13.10Lie Algebras | Prof. Ciubotaru | 16MT . 32 13.11Model Theory | Prof. Zilber | 16MT . 32 13.12Modular Forms | Prof Lauder | 16MT . 33 13.13Topology and Groups | Prof. Dancer | 16 MT . 35 13.14Schedule II . 36 13.15Algebraic Geometry | Dr Berczi | 16MT . 36 13.16Axiomatic Set Theory | Dr Suabedissen | 16HT . 37 13.17Homological Algebra | Prof. Kremnitzer | 16MT . 37 13.18Infinite Groups | Prof. Nikolov | 16HT . 38 13.19Non-Commutative Rings | Prof. Ardakov | 16HT . 38 13.20Geometric Group Theory | Prof Papazoglou | 16MT . 39 14 SECTION B: APPLICABLE THEORIES 41 14.1 Schedule I . 41 14.2 Applied Probability | Dept. of Statistics to allocate | 16 MT . 41 14.3 Categories, Proofs and Processes | Prof Abramsky | 20 lectures + extra reading MT 42 14.4 Communication Theory | Dr Griffiths | 16 MT . 44 14.5 Computer-Aided Formal Verification | Dr Abate |16MT . 45 14.6 Concurrency | Dr Gibson-Robson | 16 lectures + extra reading HT . 47 14.7 Foundations of Computer Science | Prof P Goldberg | 16 lectures MT . 49 14.8 Graph Theory | Prof. Riordan | 16HT . 51 2 14.9 Quantum Computer Science|Prof Bob Coecke |24 Lectures MT . 52 14.10Schedule II . 54 14.11Automata, Logic and Games | Dr M Vanden Boom |16 lectures + reading MT . 54 14.12Categorical Quantum Mechanics|Dr Heunen and Dr Vicary|16 Lectures HT . 56 14.13Combinatorics | Prof. Scott | 16MT . 58 14.14Computational Algebraic Topology | Prof Tillmann & Prof Abramsky 14HT . 59 14.15Computational Learning Theory | Prof. Worrell | 16MT . 61 15 Computational Number Theory | Prof R Heath-Brown | Reading course TT 62 15.1 Distributional Models of Meaning | Prof B Coecke| Reading course HT . 63 15.2 Elliptic Curves | Prof. Kim | 16HT . 65 15.3 Finite Dimensional Normed Spaces | Dr Sanders | 16TT . 67 15.4 Machine Learning - Prof Nando de Freitas - 24HT . 69 15.5 Networks | Prof. Porter | 16HT . 70 15.6 Probabilistic Combinatorics | Prof. McDiarmid | 16HT . 72 16 Theory of Data and Knowledge Bases| Prof T Lukasiewicz | 16 lectures HT 73 .1 Safety Information . 74 .2 Action in Case of Emergency . 74 .3 Statement of Safety Policy . 74 .4 Statement of Health and Safety Organisation . 74 .5 Departmental Health and Safety Committee . 74 .6 Code of Practice-Harassment . 74 .7 Smoking . 75 .8 Electricity . 75 .9 Equipment rooms - Department of Computer Science . 75 .10 Lighting - Department of Computer Science . 75 .11 Other Safety Information . 75 A University's Policy on Plagiarism 76 A.1 What is plagiarism? . 76 A.2 Why does plagiarism matter? . 76 A.3 What forms can plagiarism take? . 76 A.4 Not just printed text! . 77 B Electronic Resources for Mathematics 78 C Applying for Computer Resources 82 C.1 University Policy on Intellectual Property . 83 C.2 Regulations Relating to the Use of Information Technology Facilities and University Policy on Data Protection and Computer Misuse . 83 3 C.3 Equal Opportunities . 83 4 1 Sources of Information This handbook is designed as a guide for students on the Mathematics and Foundations of Computer Science course in the Mathematical Institute (MFoCS). It does not replace the official regulations relating to your degree, which you will find in the Examination Regulations, but it is a less formal and more easily understood guide to being a student in the Mathematical Institute. It also contains general information about the Department, people, facilities and safety. There is an edition of this handbook on the Mathematical Institute's website at: http://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/members/students/postgraduate-courses In addition to this handbook there are some important sources of information that you should make sure you are familiar with. 1.1 The Grey Book The Examination Regulations, usually known for obvious reasons as the "Grey Book", is the author- atitive document on the regulations for the University degrees and examinations. You should receive a free copy of the relevant part of this book through your College at the beginning of your first term. The Grey Book defines the rules for admission to and progression through the programmes of study and the syllabus for examinations. The regulations are available online at: http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/examregs/contents.shtml 1.2 The Proctors' and Assessor's Memorandum The University has two Proctors, the Senior Proctor and the Junior Proctor, who are responsible for making sure that the University operates according to its statutes. As well as being members of key decision-making committees, they deal with • University (as distinct from college) student discipline • complaints about University matters • the running of University examinations They also carry out ceremonial duties, e.g. at degree ceremonies. The Assessor is the third senior officer, responsible particularly for student welfare and finance. The Proctors' and Assessor's Memorandum is the document relating to the rules and the statutes of the University which you are expected to follow. This can be found at: http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/proctors/info/pam/ 1.3 Statements of Provision for MFoCS Students These detail the provisions that have been made for you by the University and the Colleges. The statement that is applicable to you is written by the Mathematical Institute; this can be found at: http://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/members/students/postgraduate-courses/msc-mfocs 5 1.4 The Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division Graduate Handbook The division also produce a graduate handbook, which you should make sure you are familiar with. This can be found at: http://www.mpls.ox.ac.uk/intranet/teachingandlearning/graduateprog.html 2 Useful Contacts Course Director Prof Samson Abrambsky 83558 [email protected] Course Administrator and Exam Coordinator Monica Kundan Finlayson 15206 fi[email protected] Room SO.16, Mathematical Institute IT Support [email protected] http://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/help/support Academic Administrator - Maths Charlotte Turner-Smith 15203 [email protected] Academic Administrator - Computing Leanne Carveth 73863 [email protected] Undergraduate/Graduate Studies Librarian: Whitehead Library Cathy Hunt 73559 [email protected] Receptionist Mathematical Institute 73525 [email protected] Confidential Harassment Advisors Dr Sarah Waters 80141 [email protected] Prof Alain Goriely 15169 [email protected] Disability Contact The Academic Administrator 15203 [email protected] Safety Officer - Maths Keith Gillow 80605 safety-offi[email protected] Safety Officer - Computing Andy Simpson 83515 [email protected] Facilities Management Team [email protected] 6 3 Finding Your Way Around Your academic life in Oxford will involve two intimately connected but distinct institutions. You are a member both of a College and of the University; your supervisor is a member of the Mathematical Institute or the Department of Computer Science and probably a member of a different college. Your college will also allocate a college advisor to you. 3.1 The Mathematical Institute The Mathematical Institute occupies a brand new building, the Andrew Wiles Building, in the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter. An entry card system (using your University Card) controls access to the building. You will be provided with information on how to activate your card at the Graduate Induction Day. Should your card not work then please report the problem to [email protected] and include in the email the details from the card: Name. Category/Type/Status (e.g. Congregation, Student, Staff etc), Card Number, Card Expiry Date/Valid Until Date Rules governing access to the Mathematical Institute are as follows: 1. Cards are issued on a personal basis and must not be loaned or passed on to another person. 2. No-one should allow access to another person. 3. When a card is used to gain access to the building, the system keeps a record of that use for a period of approximately six months. 3.1.1 The Andrew Wiles Building The Andrew Wiles Building houses lecture theatres and seminar rooms in which most of the uni- versity lectures in Mathematics take place.
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