MSc Financial Mathematics

Year 1

(Award available for year: Master of Science)

Learning outcomes

On completion of the programme students should have shown evidence of being able to:

- demonstrate in-depth, specialist knowledge and mastery of techniques relevant to the discipline and/or to demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of concepts, information and techniques at the forefront of the discipline;
- exhibit mastery in the exercise of generic and subject-specific intellectual abilities;
- demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship;
- take a proactive and self-reflective role in working and to develop professional relationships with others;
- proactively to formulate ideas and hypotheses and to develop, implement and execute plans by which to evaluate these; and
- critically and creatively to evaluate current issues, research and advanced scholarship in the discipline.

And also demonstrate:
- knowledge and understanding of financial markets, financial products, derivative pricing, risk analysis, credit derivatives, the financial system and institutions through analytical study; and
- a range of skills relating to financial mathematics relevant to financial institutions, markets and investors, problem solving, decision making, quantitative skills and research skills; and
- an ability to undertake empirical analysis and interpretation of financial data.

EITHER:
- draw together the knowledge, understanding and skills acquired in the taught elements of the programme by designing, initiating, carrying out and completing the in depth study of a particular topic in the discipline:

OR:
- build a greater depth and breadth of knowledge, understanding and skills, through the study of additional taught modules and draw these together in the compulsory project/assignment by designing, initiating and carrying out the study of a problem of relevance to the areas of financial mathematics.

Transferable (key) skills

Masters (Taught) students will have had the opportunity to acquire the following abilities as defined in the modules specified for the programme:

- the skills necessary to undertake a higher research degree and/or for employment in a higher capacity in industry or area of professional practice;
- a capacity for evaluating their own achievement and that of others;
- self direction and effective decision making in complex and unpredictable situations;
- a capacity for independent learning and the ability to work in a way which ensures continuing professional development;
- a range of personal and interpersonal skills including self-managed and co-operative learning, effective communication and effective utilisation of information technology.

Assessment

Achievement for the degree of Master (taught programme) will be assessed by a variety of methods in accordance with the learning outcomes of the modules specified for the year/programme and will involve the achievement of the students in:

- evidencing an ability to conduct independent enquiry within the discipline;
- demonstrating the ability to apply breadth and/or depth of knowledge to a complex specialist area;
- drawing on a range of perspectives on an area of study;
- evaluating and criticising received opinion;
- making reasoned judgements whilst understanding the limitations on judgements made in the absence of complete data.