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Extended Independent Project - MAT00117M

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  • Department: Mathematics
  • Credit value: 40 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module summary

This module will develop your ability to carry out an extensive independent investigation of a mathematical topic of your choice, and to present a clear account of the findings via a talk to your peers.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2023-24 to Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

This module will develop your ability to carry out an extensive independent investigation of a mathematical topic of your choice, and to present a clear account of the findings via a talk to your peers.

Module learning outcomes

At the end of this module, students will be able to:

  1. Acquire mathematical expertise in a largely autonomous fashion, making use of available mathematical literature as a stimulus to independent thought.

  2. Synthesise Masters-level mathematical information from a number of different sources, and to critically evaluate mathematics encountered in the existing literature.

  3. Fluently use LaTeX.

  4. Plan a long-term project, and reflect on its effectiveness.

  5. Communicate mathematics clearly and concisely as a written narrative.

  6. Deliver a mathematical talk to an audience of peers and academics, using PowerPoint, or Beamer, or other suitable software.

Module content

Students can choose the mathematical topic that they want to investigate, either from an extensive list of titles offered by the Department, or by coming up with a topic of their own. Project choices and supervisor allocations are made before the start of the academic year.

During the first half of the first semester, and building on skills taught in previous years, students will develop their mathematical research and presentation skills, including mathematical writing and the use of LaTeX. Alongside this, they will do scoping work on their project.

By the midway point of the first semester, students will write a short background report on their project, and present a plan with specific milestones and deliverables informed by their background report.

The second half of Semester 1 and throughout all of Semester 2 the student spends time on detailed reading, self-study, and critical analysis of the chosen topic, supported by the supervisor. The organisation of this work and associated supervision meetings is largely the responsibility of the individual student, although regular fortnightly meetings are recommended to ensure that steady progress is made.

At the end of Semester 1, the student has the formative opportunity to give a talk on the background of their project, and receive immediate feedback.

A first draft of the project dissertation is presented to the project supervisor midway through Semester 2, and the supervisor will present constructive feedback shortly afterwards in an extended meeting.

The deadline for submission of the final version is Monday of Week 10.

Students should expect four hours of supervision time over the two semesters that they are responsible for allocating, in addition to the initial meeting and an extended meeting to discuss the draft.

Finally, on Friday of Week 11 students will give a talk to their peers on their project, marked by two academics.

Also at the end of Semester 2, students submit a reflection on how well they managed to keep to their milestones and deliverables they set themselves at the start.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 10
Essay/coursework 70
Oral presentation/seminar/exam 20

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 10
Essay/coursework 70
Oral presentation/seminar/exam 20

Module feedback

Current Department policy on feedback is available in the student handbook. Coursework and examinations will be marked and returned in accordance with this policy.

Indicative reading

Departmental web pages about LaTeX and the resources listed there.

Writing Mathematics:

L Gillman, Writing Mathematics Well: a manual for authors, MAA (S 0.149 GIL).

N J Higham, Handbook of Writing for the Mathematical Sciences, SIAM. (S 0.149 HIG).

E E Knuth, T Larrabee and P M Roberts, Mathematical Writing, MAA (S0.249 KNU).

S G Krantz, A Primer of Mathematical Writing, American Mathematical Society (S 0.149 KRA).


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.