MSc in Mathematical Sciences (OMMS) and MMath in Mathematics (Part C) Course Handbook 2018-2019 This handbook applies to students taking the MSc in Mathematical Sciences1 or the MMath in Mathematics (Part C) in the academic year 2018-19. The information in this handbook may be different for students taking the MSc or MMath in other years. The Examination Regulations relating to this course are available at http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/ examregs/. If there is a conflict between the information in this handbook and the Examination Regulations then you should follow the Examinations Regulations. If you have any concerns please contact [email protected]. The information in this handbook is accurate as at 1 October 2018, however it may be necessary for changes to be made in certain circumstances, as explained at www.ox.ac.uk/coursechanges. If such changes are made the department will publish a new version of this handbook together with a list of the changes and students will be informed. Version 1.0 1The MSc in Mathematical Sciences is also referred to as the `Oxford Masters in Mathematical Sciences' or `OMMS'. 1 Welcome Welcome to, or welcome back to Oxford! I hope the year ahead of you will be interesting and enjoyable and will build on the mathematical knowledge you already have. For the first year ever, we are running our new MSc in Mathematical Sciences (OMMS) in parallel with our fourth year undergraduate course (Part C). This is an exciting time for us in the Mathematical Institute and the Department of Statistics, and we hope you will play your part in making this new venture a success. The Mathematical Institute's Andrew Wiles Building is still relatively new and we hope it will provide an inspirational setting in which to learn more mathematics and undertake research. It houses one of the largest and most successful mathematics departments in the world. The Statistics Department recently moved to its new home on St Giles' and we hope the teaching spaces and interaction areas will provide a great place to learn more probability and statistics. Oxford's Mathematical Sciences submission was ranked overall best in the UK in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (the UK's system for assessing research excellence) and so you will have the opportunity to be taught by and work with internationally renowned mathematicians and statisticians. Once again, welcome to the OMMS and Part C programmes at Oxford, and best wishes for an enjoyable and successful year. Dr Richard Earl, Dr Neil Laws and Dr Kathryn Gillow 2 Contents 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Key Sources of Information . .1 1.2 Key Contacts . .1 1.3 The Academic Year . .2 1.4 Finding Your Way Around . .2 2 The Masters Course 4 2.1 Overview . .4 2.2 Aims . .4 2.3 Learning Outcomes . .4 2.4 Course Structure . .5 2.4.1 MSc Students . .5 2.4.2 Part C students . .6 2.4.3 Information for students offering a dissertation . .6 3 Teaching and Learning 7 3.1 Organisation of Teaching . .7 3.2 Lectures . .7 3.3 Classes . .7 3.3.1 How to Get the Best Out of the Classes . .8 3.3.2 Consultation Sessions . .8 3.4 Dissertations . .9 3.5 Advice on Teaching and Learning Matters . .9 3.6 Skills and Learning Development . .9 3.6.1 Expectations of Study . .9 3.6.2 University Lectures and Departmental Seminars . 10 3.6.3 Skills Development . 10 3.7 Key Teaching Links . 10 4 Supervisors 11 4.1 MSc Students and Supervisors . 11 4.2 Part C Students and College Tutors . 11 4.3 Dissertation Supervisors . 11 5 Examinations and Assessments 12 3 5.1 Assessment of the Course . 12 5.1.1 Written Examinations . 12 5.1.2 Mini-Projects . 12 5.1.3 Dissertation . 13 5.2 Examination Conventions . 13 5.3 Preparing for Examinations . 13 5.4 Examination Entries . 13 5.5 Examination Dates and Submission Deadlines . 14 5.6 Plagiarism . 14 5.7 Examination Prizes . 14 5.8 Key Assessment Links . 14 6 Resources and Facilities 15 6.1 Departmental Work and Social Spaces . 15 6.1.1 Mathematical Institute . 15 6.1.2 Department of Statistics . 15 6.2 Libraries . 15 6.2.1 College Library . 15 6.2.2 The Radcliffe Science Library (RSL) . 15 6.2.3 The Whitehead Library, Mathematical Institute . 16 6.2.4 Department of Statistics library . 16 6.2.5 Department of Computer Science library . 16 6.3 Computing Facilities . 16 6.3.1 Useful Links . 17 6.4 Careers Service . 17 6.5 Language Centre . 17 7 Student Representation and Feedback 18 7.1 MSc students . 18 7.1.1 Student Representation . 18 7.1.2 Consultative Committee for Graduates { Mathematics . 18 7.2 Part C students . 18 7.2.1 Mathematics Undergraduate Representative Committee (MURC) . 18 7.2.2 Joint Consultative Committee with Undergraduates (JCCU) . 18 7.3 Divisional and University Representatives . 19 7.4 Opportunities to Provide Feedback . 19 4 7.5 Key Student Representation Links . 19 8 Student Support and Academic Policies 20 8.1 Where to Find Help . 20 8.2 Complaints and academic appeals within the Departments . 20 8.2.1 Complaints . 20 8.2.2 Academic Appeals . 21 8.3 Buddy System . 21 8.4 Student Societies . 21 8.4.1 Invariants . 21 8.4.2 Mirzakhani Society . 21 8.4.3 LGBTQubed . 22 8.5 Key Student Support Links and Contacts . 22 8.5.1 Departmental Links and Contacts . 22 8.5.2 University Links and Contacts . 22 9 Policies 24 9.1 University Policies . 24 9.2 Departmental Safety Policies . 24 9.2.1 Mathematical Institute . 24 A Course Calendar 25 B Course list by term 26 C Recommended Pattern of Teaching 28 C.1 Part C Mathematics . 28 C.2 MSc in Mathematical Sciences (OMMS) . ..