Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

It is not necessary to have studied all of the listed modules, but students taking MAS3901 must have taken MAS2801, MAS2901 and either (MAS2802 + MAS2803) or (MAS2902 + MAS2903).

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

•       To develop oral presentation skills for mathematics and statistics;
•       To develop teamwork, management and organisational skills;
•       To develop the ability to write thorough and complete reports on mathematical and statistical problems;
•       Develop an understanding of an area of mathematics or statistics beyond those taught in the degree programme;

Outline Of Syllabus

Students will work in groups of four-five to undertake a project in one of Applied Mathematics, Pure Mathematics, Statistics or education. Guidance is provided by an academic staff advisor who supervisors the group and assists in project management and monitoring. Groups will attend regular meetings with their supervisor, working towards an in-person presentation, a written report and poster or reflective diary of school visits (for education projects). The project topics will be based on Stage 2 level material but will require additional independent study. Participation is assessed using a weighted peer assessment with input from the academic supervisor.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

To reinforce key elements of compulsory Stage 1 and Stage 2 modules. To gain an in-depth understanding and develop selected topics from those modules. To gain strategic knowledge associated with the planning and organisational strategies needed to complete work as a group.

Intended Skill Outcomes

1. Subject-specific skills - dependent on the project
2. Cognitive skills - analysing results and assessing progress.
3. Core skills - planning/ organising and problem solving within a group.
4. Computer literacy - if appropriate to the selected project.
5. Communication skills - report writing and presentation skills.
6. Teamwork skills - recognise strengths and weaknesses of group members; establishing a good rapport and working effectively with others; conflict resolution; assuming leadership role in setting goals and winning commitment of others etc.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Students will develop: teamwork and communication skills through group learning and peer assessment; presentation skills through lectures and giving presentations; mathematical and statistical writing skills through private study, group learning and writing reports.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Groups assessed on a portfolio basis. Feedback and feedforward align to the development of presentation skills: video, oral presentation, poster and technical reports demonstrating the role of tailoring to media and audience. An end-point poster event aligns to academic community in a social context for informal discussion with peers, academic colleagues and, as possible, external examiners.
Portfolio elements assess students' individual and team-working skills in mathematical and statistical presentation and writing. Assessment contains both group and individual marks, with a contribution from peer assessment Group will collate content through the course of the semester:
•       An interim presentation;
•       An endpoint technical report, and poster (mathematics/statistics projects) or reflective diary (for education projects only);
•       Individuals are expected to contribute equally to all portfolio elements (e.g. sections of report and time during the presentation);
•       Individuals peer-assess the others and provide feedback;
•       The presentation and report each have an individual and group assessment; the poster is just a group assessment;
•       Reports should be 8 pages (12 point type);
•       Presentation, poster and report marking based upon separate, criteria matrix grading schemes provided at the beginning of the module.

General Notes

N/A