2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

MATH3082 Project in Pure Mathematics 1

15 creditsClass Size: 30

Module manager: Dr K. Houston
Email: k.houston@maths.leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

This module is mutually exclusive with

MATH3083	Project in Pure Mathematics 2
MATH3422	Project in Applied Mathematics
MATH3752	Project in Statistics 1
MATH3753	Project in Statistics 2
MATH5082M	Assignment in Pure Maths
MATH5422M	Assignment in Applied Mathematics
MATH5812M	Assignment in Statistics

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

Students must consult the project co-ordinator before choosing this module, by the end of the first week of Semester 1 at the latest.

Objectives

To introduce the student to the methods of independent study applied to a particular topic, use of resources and writing of reports.

On completion of this module, the student, should, by means of studying a topic in Pure Mathematics with the aid of a supervisor, be able to:
(a) search independently through various sources for work already done in the topic;
(b) link together explanations of the topic from various sources;
(c) produce a critical assessment of the sources;
(d) solve various set problems arising in the topic;
(e) present a report for assessment which will involve a complete set of coherent notes written by the student together with any problems attempted;
(f) describe orally the contents of their report.

Syllabus

This is an opportunity for a student to study a topic, outside the usual lecture format, by writing his/her own notes extracted from several sources. The student will be monitored by a supervisor, who will periodically set problems and discuss the progress of the work. Assessment will be based on the collection of notes and examples submitted at the end of the period together with the tutors comments, and the oral assessment.
1. Choice of topic. Each student will be allocated to a supervisor who will be responsible for the detailed description of the project. The material will usually be available in textbooks, although the development of the topic will preferably not follow any one textbook completely. The student should aim at an understanding of one or two key ideas and this will usually mean eliminating from the textbooks many other ideas. Up to five students will be allocated to the same supervisor, and will work on similar topics.
2. Supervision. The supervisor will provide the students with a fairly detailed outline of the contents of the topic. This will be given in writing to the student and a copy retained by the supervisor. Students will be able to consult the supervisor in case of difficulty, but normally supervision will take place as a group. The supervisor may suggest examples for the students to attempt, or modifications of the original project. As many as possible of the supervisor's comments, questions and suggestions will be given to the student in writing and a copy retained by the supervisor.
3. Student's work. Students may work together but each student will be required to draw up their own detailed notes on the topic, profusely illustrated with examples. This might involve copying some passages direct from a textbook but the student should preferably rewrite material in his/her own words. The examples could be taken from a textbook, provided they are not also worked out there. Many examples should be very simple and chosen merely to illustrate ideas.
4. Assessment. At the end of the project each student's notes and examples, together with the comments of the supervisor will all be collected together for the final assessment and grading. The work must be handed in by the end of week 11 of the semester in which it is taken. There will be a brief oral presentation given by each student to the supervisor and an internal assessor, followed by some questions. This will take place during the exam period and will be used as part of the final grade. The assessment will take into account how much of the original project was eventually covered, and the understanding demonstrated by the student. It is not to be expected that there will be no mistakes or inconsistencies. The project grading will be done by the supervisor in consultation with an independent assessor. The final assessment and grading will be studied by the external examiner.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Tutorial	8	1.00	8.00
Private study hours			142.00
Total Contact hours			8.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Project	Report submitted by week 11 and oral assessment during the examination period	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 25/07/2008

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