MA4XA-Fourth Year Project

Module Provider: Mathematics and Statistics
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites: MA3PRO Part 3 Project or MA3PAL Peer Assisted Learning or ST3PR Statistics Project
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Peter Sweby
Email: p.k.sweby@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module offers students the opportunity to work independently on an area of mathematics of their choice, and present their findings orally and in the form of a dissertation.

Aims:
To give students the opportunity to work independently, under limited supervision, on an area of mathematics of their choice; to allow students to demonstrate their ability to develop a coherent account of a topic in mathematics; to allow students to develop their skills in the written presentation of mathematics.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module students are expected to be able to:

• study and research an extended topic independently;


• make an appropriate selection of material and present it coherently;


• write a report on a substantial topic;


• present their work and defend it orally;


• use the library and other information resources to discover information.

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

A topic supported by a research paper or a portion of a book will be chosen and the project work consists of the necessary background reading, after which the student must write a word-processed dissertation on the work itself. The work in a project must not simply consist of extracts from books, but must have been substantially re-worked by the student into a coherent piece of mathematics and will usually include original material in the form of examples or illustration of the work. Over the summer most of the work will be background reading and project planning, which will be the basis for the project plan report. In the Autumn and Spring terms the main work and writing of the dissertation will occur.  An oral presentation and viva will be held in the summer term. Each student taking a project is allocated to a supervisor, whom they will meet to discuss progress. The independence displayed by the student in carrying out the project will be taken into account in the assessment.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Supervision and independent study.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Project Supervision	10	10	1
Guided independent study:	190	189
Total hours by term	200	199	1
Total hours for module	400

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Report	5
Dissertation	65
Oral assessment and presentation	30

Summative assessment- Examinations:
No exam.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

• Project Plan - 5% - due in the start of the Autumn term of Part 4


• Oral Presentation/viva - 30% - to take place in the Summer term of Part 4


• Dissertation - 65% - due in at the end of the Spring term of Part 4

Formative assessment methods:

Feedback is provided on a draft of the dissertation..

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 50% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-submission of Project Dissertation in August/September. (70%), followed by an oral presentation/viva (30%) on the revised dissertation.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 30 March 2023