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MODULE TITLE	Research in Mathematical Sciences	CREDIT VALUE	15
MODULE CODE	MTHM036	MODULE CONVENER	Prof Andrew Hillier (Coordinator)

DURATION: TERM	1	2	3
DURATION: WEEKS	11

Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated)	42

DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

This is a unique module that runs in several research themes and provides you with a taste for and experience in research in mathematical sciences. The themes are broadly aligned with Fourth Year options and would cover subjects from pure maths, statistics, biology, climate, etc, although the number and range of topics may change from year to year. Each theme consists of lectures, student-led discussion, reading, and practical sessions, getting deeper experience in research approaches and skills. Students will learn to write short essay, make oral presentation and write longer scientific report.

This module is compulsory, usually taken in the Third Year of the MMath and the MSci Mathematics programmes.

AIMS - intentions of the module

Set in at least four distinct research themes, this module will introduce you to scientific thinking and abstraction and give you knowledge/experience in core research skills: reading (and understanding), writing and presenting for the mathematical sciences.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

1 Identify and formulate scientific research questions and undertake independent study of chosen advanced themes in the mathematical sciences;

2 Appreciate the role of reading, writing and presenting in research;

3 Develop literature search and reading skills, allowing you to distil key concepts from the literature;

4 Summarise and explain scientific concepts and projects in written words;

5 Present scientific concepts and projects;

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

6 Study specified themes in abstract mathematics and/or mathematical modelling;

Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge:

7 Work in small groups to tackle advanced mathematical and scientific problems;

8 Present scientific ideas and findings in a coherent way.

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

The module will address three main research skills topics. These are:

- Introduction to research and scientific thinking;

- Scientific reading;

- Presentation skills.

These topics will be introduced to the entire group before they are studied and assessed in theme-specific groups. The themes will relate directly to the research interests of the lecturing staff and will range from advanced topics in pure mathematics to research questions in applied mathematical sciences.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities	19.00	Guided Independent Study	131.00	Placement / Study Abroad	0.00

DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	7	Lectures
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	10	Tutorials
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	2	Student Presentations
Guided Independent Study	54	Individual assignments
Guided Independent Study and Group Work	77	Reading of research papers and advanced book chapters. Study of presentation and writing skills. Follow up on practical tutorials (e.g. computational modelling, problem-solving).

ASSESSMENT

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade

Form of Assessment	Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length)	ILOs Assessed	Feedback Method
Formative Writing Task	200 words	4-6, 8	Peer Feedback

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)

Coursework	85	Written Exams	0	Practical Exams	15

DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Form of Assessment	% of Credit	Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length)	ILOs Assessed	Feedback Method
Coursework – Written Short Report	25	Equivalent of 3 pages of text (max. 1000 words in case of an essay) for selected theme	1-2, 4, 6-7	Written Feedback
Practical – Group Oral Presentation	15	5 minutes per student	1, 4-6, 8	Written Feedback
Coursework – Written Final Report	60	Equivalent of 10-12 pages of text (max. 4000 words in case of an essay)	1-6, 8	Written Feedback

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)

Original Form of Assessment	Form of Re-assessment	ILOs Re-assessed	Time Scale for Re-reassessment
All Above	Coursework (100%)	All	Completed over summer, with a deadline in August

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Reassessment will be by resubmission of the written final report only. For referred candidates, the mark will be capped at 50%. For deferred candidates, the mark will be uncapped.

RESOURCES

INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk

Each theme will have its own Reading Lists, which may be texts, or research papers.

Reading list for this module:

Type	Author	Title	Edition	Publisher	Year	ISBN	Search
Set	Higham, N. J.	Handbook of Writing for the Mathematical Sciences	2nd	SIAM	1998	978-0898714203	[Library]
Set	Alley, M.	The Craft of Scientific Presentations: Critical Steps to Succeed and Critical Errors to Avoid		Springer Verlag	2006	978-0387955551	[Library]

CREDIT VALUE	15	ECTS VALUE	7.5

PRE-REQUISITE MODULES	None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES	None

NQF LEVEL (FHEQ)	7	AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING	No
ORIGIN DATE	Tuesday 10 July 2018	LAST REVISION DATE	Thursday 21 September 2023

KEY WORDS SEARCH	Research Techniques; Scientific Thinking; Presentation Skills

MTHM036 - Research in Mathematical Sciences (2023)