Mathematics, Operational Research and Statistics (MMORS)

Core knowledge is taught through a mixture of lectures, exercise classes, small-group tutorials and guided study. Mathematics is a hierarchical discipline so the structure of the course is systematic, building on fundamental understanding.

The first two years are focussed on providing a foundational understanding. The following two years cover a range of contemporary subject material, reflecting research interests in the School. Throughout the delivery of the programme, wherever possible, recent research results are used to illustrate and illuminate the subject.

In year one, there are regular small-group tutorial sessions in mathematics modules. Exercises are an integral part of all lecture-based modules, these allow you to apply your knowledge and improve your problem-solving skills. Extra exercise or examples classes are currently held in all mathematics modules. In these a lecturer will discuss additional problems with you, give general oral feedback and provide model solutions for further reflection.

In year four, more student participation is expected as some lectures take the form of seminars.

How will I be supported?

At the start of each year a guide to module aims, learning outcomes, methods of assessment, module syllabuses, and reading lists will be made available to you. You will also be allocated a personal tutor in the School of Mathematics. This will be a member of academic staff who can give pastoral support and academic advice as well as helping you with module selection and career planning. Regular meetings with your Personal Tutor will be scheduled to give you the opportunity to discuss your individual progress and develop generic skills such as team work and presentation skills.

All lecturing staff can be contacted by email and have either an ‘open door’ policy for students with specific queries about course material, or a system to book meeting times. The Director of Learning and Teaching of the School of Mathematics can advise you on academic issues, and each year of study has a year co-ordinator who can offer advice on administrative issues. The School also has an Education and Students Manager who can assist with administrative queries. The Undergraduate Office in Mathematics, is a further source of information.

Further learning support is also available via the University-wide Maths Support Service. This provides relaxed and informal drop-in sessions where you are encouraged to discuss any elements of your studies with a tutor in a one-to-one or small group basis.

You will have access through the Learning Central website to relevant multimedia material, presentations, lecture handouts, bibliographies, further links, electronic exercises and discussion circles. Opportunities for you to reflect on your abilities and performance are available through the Learning Central ‘Personal Development Planning’ module.

Before commencing your dissertation, additional lectures will provide preparation covering research and communication skills. Core computing modules in Years One and Two will provide the foundation for any computing work required for the dissertation. The additional lectures will cover practical issues such as working with a supervisor, format and structure of a dissertation, referencing and how to produce academic writing. They will also cover the skills required to independently perform mathematical research.

The University offers a range of services including the Careers Service, the Counselling Service, the Disability and Dyslexia Service, the Student Support Service, and excellent libraries and resource centres. The School of Mathematics has a designated Disability and Diversity Officer and ensures that reasonable adjustments are made for students with disabilities.

An extensive programme of careers lectures and workshops is delivered within the School of Mathematics and an in-house Careers Consultant is available.

How will I be assessed?

Most modules have closed book written examinations at the end of the autumn or spring semesters, with some also having an element of continuous assessment. This may include problem-solving exercises, written reports, computer programs and oral presentations. Feedback on progress is typically provided through a combination of discussion in class, written comments on submitted work and review of outline solutions to problems. You are encouraged to discuss any queries related to specific modules with individual lecturers. All students can review their examination scripts and discuss their performance with the corresponding module lecturer.

Your major research project in year four is assessed through a written report (85% of the mark) and an oral examination (15% of the mark).

The pass mark for each module is 40%. Students can progress to resit as long as they have failed no more than 60 credits. They can progress to the following year as long as they have failed no more than 20 credits.

The grade of your final degree is currently based on 20% from your Year Two studies, 30% from Year Three and 50% from Year Four.  An average of at least 55% in Year Two is required to continue on this programme. Students failing to achieve this average will be transferred to the three year BSc in Mathematics, Operational Research and Statistics degree scheme.

Feedback:

Written feedback and outline solutions on in-course assessment give you an opportunity to reflect on your progress. Further feedback is provided in examples classes and tutorials (in year one) to review problems in more detail and discuss potential solutions. You should discuss any queries related to specific modules with individual lecturers.

The majority of coursework in the School of Mathematics is formative, meaning that the mark given does not form part of your overall mark for the module. This is to encourage students to learn the intrinsic value of completing the work for the educational benefit rather than just to gain a given mark. This ensures that students will carefully consider their feedback and use it to improve and develop their understanding of the material.

In Year One, you are required to regularly submit work to ensure your understanding of the course material is progressing. Detailed formative feedback is provided to help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and areas that need further work. It also enables staff to identify means of supporting you. This continues in later years of the course, though the frequency of submitted work will vary from module to module.

What skills will I practise and develop?

Studying this course will enable you to acquire and develop a range of valuable skills, both discipline specific and more generic ‘employability skills’. You will:

• Demonstrate the effective self-management and organisational skills needed to undertake a substantial project in an area of mathematics of your choice
• Enhance your IT, information retrieval and handling skills
• Develop your ability to apply logical and analytic thinking to problems in other disciplines
• Demonstrate commitment to lifelong learning through engaging in a process of personal development planning
• Develop the skills of objectivity, creativity and independent thinking
• Develop your knowledge of core Mathematics concepts such as calculus and analysis, proof, algebra and modelling.
• Increase your understanding of the principles and techniques of proof
• Develop skills that will enable you to sustain a critical argument and to communicate ideas and theories in writing and through oral presentation
• Learn how to solve well-defined, open-ended problems and identify key issues
• Conduct independent research using source materials such as textbooks, scientific journals and electronic databases
• Use precise calculations in appropriate situations
• Develop your ability to undertake independent learning and effectively manage your time

What are the learning outcomes of this course/programme?

The Learning outcomes for this Programme describe what you will be able to do as a result of your study at Cardiff University. They will help you to understand what is expected of you and academic staff will focus on precisely what they want you to achieve within each Module. 

Knowledge & Understanding:

Students completing the Programme will demonstrate:

• An ability to analyse and interpret data and to apply modern statistical methods
• An ability to use the latest operational research techniques to solve real life problems
• An understanding of the underlying principles and mathematical theories underpinning modern statistics and operational research
• An understanding of the ideas of proof, calculus, algebra, analysis and applied mathematics

Intellectual Skills:

Students completing the Programme will demonstrate:

• The ability to formulate and solve mathematical models
• The skills of using analytical and logical thinking to draw conclusions based on quantitative information.
• Communication skills and the ability to communicate mathematical knowledge and understanding
• Plan and conduct a piece of novel research

Professional Practical Skills:

Students completing the Programme will be able to:

• Use a number of modern software packages
• Assimilate and communicate detailed mathematical arguments

Transferable/Key Skills:

Students completing the Programme will demonstrate:

• Logical reasoning
• Independent thinking
• Critical thinking
• The ability to apply mathematical skills to solve problems
• Use of information technology and library resources
• Time and workload management
• The ability to conduct independent research