Department of Mathematics
MSc/Diploma Students
Handbook 2015-2016
Dear Student,
Welcome to the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) at the University of
Sussex. Please take time to read through this handbook carefully as it contains very important
information about your MSc course and will guide you through the duration of your studies at
the University. All of the information provided in this handbook can be also obtained from the
school website on the following link: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/mps/
In case you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us by
telephone, email or in person at the MPS School Office. The MPS School Office is located in
the ground floor of Pevensey Building II, room 3A20, and is open Monday to Friday 9am5pm.
School Office staff:
Mr Matthew Tiernan, Course Coordinator, Postgraduate Taught Courses (MPS)
T: 01273 876833 E: [email protected]
Miss Sally Church, Course Coordinator for Undergraduate Physics and Astronomy
T: 01273 678557 E: [email protected]
Ms Felicity Hyde-Thompson, Course Coordinator for Undergraduate Mathematics
T: 01273 877345 E: [email protected]
Mrs Sarah Pelling, MPS School Assistant
T: 01273 872947 E: [email protected]
Mrs Deborah Tyler, MPS School Assistant
T: 01273 873254 E: [email protected]
Miss Naomi Lukianczuk, MPS School Assistant
T: 01273 873133 E : [email protected]
Mrs Chrystelle Nunan, Curriculum and Assessment Officer
T: 01273 678100 E: [email protected]
Miss Rebecca Foster, MPS Research Support Administrative Assistant
T: 01273 876762 E: [email protected]
Mrs Sinead Rance, MPS Research Support Administrative Assistant
T: 01273 877638 E: [email protected]
Mr Richard Chambers, Research & Enterprise Coordinator
T: 01273 678108 E: [email protected]
We hope that you make the most of your studies and experience at the University of Sussex.
Yours sincerely,
The MPS School Office
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Table of Contents
1.
MSc/PG Diploma Courses ........................................................................................................... 4
1.2
Department of Mathematics- Course descriptions ............................................................ 5
2. Teaching Methods, Assessments and Formal Submissions ............................................................ 9
2.1
Teaching Methods............................................................................................................... 9
2.2
Assessments and Deadlines for Formal Submissions ......................................................... 9
2.3 Awards Criteria........................................................................................................................ 10
2.4
Publication of Final Results .............................................................................................. 10
2.5
Mitigating Circumstances.................................................................................................. 10
3. Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct .......................................................................................... 11
3.1 Writing well and avoiding academic misconduct ................................................................... 11
3.2 Referencing ............................................................................................................................. 12
4. Contacts ........................................................................................................................................ 13
4.1 Mathematics Department – Contact details........................................................................... 13
5. Frequently Asked Questions ......................................................................................................... 15
5.1 Module Changes ..................................................................................................................... 15
5.2 Course Transfers ..................................................................................................................... 15
5.3 Finding out about your Marks................................................................................................. 15
5.4 Confirmation of Study Letters ................................................................................................. 15
5.5 Council Tax .............................................................................................................................. 15
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1.
MSc/PG Diploma Courses
The School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS) currently runs ten different
postgraduate taught courses, organized and run by their respective departments; four in the
Department of Mathematics and six in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. All of the
MSc courses are run on a full-time basis. Each MSc course is organized and overseen by a
course convenor. Should you have any problems with regards to the organization or content
of the course, please contact your course convenor (full contact details are found in section 4
of this Handbook).
Department of Mathematics:
 MSc/Diploma in Financial Mathematics
Course Convenors: Dr Qi Tang & Dr Bertram During
 MSc in Corporate and Financial Risk Management
Course Convenors: Dr Qi Tang & Dr Bertram During
 MSc/Diploma in Mathematics
Course Convenors: Dr Omar Lakkis & Dr Konstantin Blyuss
 MSc/Diploma in Computational Mathematics
Course Convenors: Dr Omar Lakkis & Konstantin Blyuss
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1.2
Department of Mathematics - Course descriptions
This handbook gives an overview of each course. For formal course specifications and
module listings see:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/mps/internal/departments/mathematics/pg/pgcourses
MSc/PG Diploma in Financial Mathematics
Course convenors Dr Qi Tang & Dr Bertram During
The course provides students with the technical skills and knowledge required for employment
with investment banks and other financial institutions. Students should have the ability to apply
academic knowledge to the analysis and judgement of real financial situations, give advice
and explain their rationale with a clear logical line of argument. Essential areas of quantitative
finance are covered including:





interest rate theory
portfolio evaluation
arbitrage theory
GARCH time series models
Black-Scholes option pricing model
Key skills are developed in numerical analysis, programming and Matlab. Additional
modules can be taken as options on probability and statistical theory as well as those from the
School of Business, Management and Economics (Please note that this is subject to timetabling constraints with core modules). Students acquire professional skills in:



interpretation of financial trends and financial reporting
evaluation of an investment plan
solving finance problems
Course Modules and Structure
The MSc is composed of both core and optional modules. Core modules are compulsory and
are required to acquire and develop the essential learning and practical skills of the course. In
addition, optional modules are offered across the autumn and spring terms for specialization
in certain areas. The amount of optional modules should total 30 credits (2 modules) from
autumn and spring terms. These must be agreed and chosen with your course convenor
before the end of week two of the autumn term. No module changes will be allowed after
this date. During the summer term and vacation you will work on your MSc Dissertation.
More information on the MSc in Financial Mathematics course structure and modules can be
found here:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/mps/internal/departments/mathematics/pg/pgcourses/2015/G1701T
The outline is show on the first page, giving course aims and learning outcomes. Click on the
tab which says ‘Module Information’ to see all of the core and optional modules for the
course. You can then click on each individual module for more detailed information.
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MSc in Corporate and Financial Risk Management
Course convenors Dr Qi Tang & Dr Bertram During
This course is designed to cover the main aspects of risk management in businesses, focusing
on quantitative analysis, regulation, implementation and management structure in business
organisations.
This MSc covers topics such as financial portfolio theory, risk modelling, risk management and
implementation within corporate structures. It also provides options in programming,
probability, statistics and a range of management courses offered at Sussex.
Course Modules and Structure
The MSc is composed of both core and optional modules. Core modules are compulsory and
required to acquire and develop the essential learning and practical skills of the course. In
addition, optional modules are offered across the autumn and spring terms for specialization
in certain areas. The amount of optional modules should total 30 credits (2 modules) in the
autumn and spring terms. This must be agreed and chosen with your course convenor before
the end of week two of the autumn term. No module changes will be allowed after this date.
During the summer term and vacation you will work on your MSc Dissertation.
More information on the MSc in Corporate and Financial Risk Management course structure
and modules can be found here:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/mps/internal/departments/mathematics/pg/pgcourses/2015/N3002T
The outline is show on the first page, giving course aims and learning outcomes. Click on the
tab which says ‘Module Information’ to see all of the core and optional modules for the
course. You can then click on each individual module for more detailed information.
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MSc/PG Diploma in Mathematics
Course convenors Dr Omar Lakkis & Dr Konstantin Blyuss
This MSc equips the student with a sound knowledge of advanced mathematics suitable for
progression to a research degree or as a foundation for a career in mathematics. By the end
of the course the student should be able to:


Read, absorb and understand mathematical research papers in appropriate areas and
relate their content to his/her existing knowledge;
Write a correct, precise, clear and cogent account of an advanced mathematical topic
in the student's particular area of interest, drawing on several sources at appropriate
levels.
The course equips students with the necessary practical and transferable skills to:
 Typeset mathematical material via a standard mathematical text-processing computer
package
 Give a stand-up presentation to a small audience showing evidence of clarity, order
and good timing, answering questions appropriately and maintaining audience contact
and attention;
 Manage time, work-loads and priorities. There will be an increasing emphasis on
independent learning during the programme.
Course Modules and Structure
The MSc has one compulsory core module, which is the MSc Dissertation, and several
optional modules taught in the autumn and spring terms. You must select a total of eight
optional modules; please not that you need to select a minimum of 90 credits (6 modules)
at level 7, and not more than 30 credits (2 modules) at level 6. These must be agreed and
chosen with your course convenor before the end of week two of the autumn term. No
module changes will be allowed after this date.
More information on the MSc in Mathematics course structure and modules can be found
here:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/mps/internal/departments/mathematics/pg/pgcourses/2015/G1501T
The outline is show on the first page, giving course aims and learning outcomes. Click on the
tab which says ‘Module Information’ to see all of the core and optional modules for the
course. You can then click on each individual module for more detailed information.
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MSc/PG Diploma in Computational Mathematics
Course convenors Dr Omar Lakkis & Dr Konstantin Blyuss
This MSc equips students with the sufficient skills and knowledge in modern industry sectors
including computational software development and financial modelling.
Key skills taught on this course are:




Programming languages C/C++ and Java
Development of computational models
Mathematical and numerical analysis skills
Investigation of accuracy and robustness of computational models
Computation is an important partner to experimentation and theory in the advancement of
science and engineering. Numerical simulation allows us to study complex systems that would
be too expensive, dangerous or impossible to investigate experimentally. Recent advances in
computer algorithms allow simulation in much greater detail and realism.
This MSc will appeal to students from a variety of science backgrounds who want to learn the
numerical and computational skills needed for scientific research. The University has a strong
applied mathematics group that specialises in scientific computation, especially numerical
analysis and numerical algorithm development for the approximation of differential equations,
a major focus in this degree.
Course Modules and Structure
The MSc is composed of both core and optional modules. Core modules are compulsory and
required to acquire and develop the essential learning and practical skills of the course. In
addition, optional modules are offered across the autumn and spring terms for specialization
in certain areas. The amount of optional modules should total 60 credits (4 modules) from
the autumn term or spring terms. These must be agreed and chosen with your course
convenor before the end of week 2 of the autumn term. No module changes will be allowed
after this date.
All the information on the MSc in Computational Mathematics course structure and modules
can be found here:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/mps/internal/departments/mathematics/pg/pgcourses/2015/G1601T
The outline is show on the first page, giving course aims and learning outcomes. Click on the
tab which says ‘Module Information’ to see all of the core and optional modules for the
course. You can then click on each individual module for more detailed information.
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2. Teaching Methods, Assessments and Formal Submissions
2.1
Teaching Methods
All four Mathematics MSc courses are taught on a one-year full-time basis only. The courses
begin in September in the autumn term and finish at the beginning of September in the
following year. Course modules are spread across the autumn and spring terms, and are
assessed by written examinations, coursework, essays, report writing and presentations. Over
the summer period students take on a major research project for their MSc Dissertations which
they must hand in by the end of August. Students not wishing to take the dissertation can
finish early with a Postgraduate Diploma. For more information about this, you should speak
to your course convenor
Please note: the MSc in Corporate and Financial Risk Management is not offered as a
PG Diploma.
2.2
Assessments and Deadlines for Formal Submissions
Full details about the assessment and deadlines for each module are available on the
Mathematics Department web pages. Generally MSc exams take place on weeks 5, 6 and 7
of the summer term (mid May, early June) though for some modules they may occur at
earlier stages. We encourage you to regularly check your study timetable in Sussex Direct
and e-mails. The MSc Dissertation is handed in during August in the summer vacation
period.
Please note you will have assessment deadlines. It is your responsibility to be aware of
these deadlines. Each one of your core and option module assessments and deadlines for
submission appears in your study timetable on the Sussex Direct pages.
The assessment of the MSc research project/dissertation includes a dissertation and, for
some courses, an oral presentation. Supervisors for MSc research projects/dissertations are
allocated in the first half of the autumn term, in consultation with their relevant MSc
convenor.
It is important that such deadlines are met; the University applies a system of
penalties to assessments that are handed in late. For more details, please consult the
Examination and Assessment Handbook available at:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/adqe/standards/examsandassessment
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2.3 Awards Criteria
MSc students normally follow a one-year course of full-time study combining coursework
with a dissertation which runs from September of one year until the beginning of September
of the following year.
Criteria for passing the MSc are listed in the Examination and Assessment Handbook:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/adqe/standards/examsandassessment
2.4
Publication of Final Results
Please note that the final results will not be published until the final meeting of the
Examination Board which is usually held in October each year.
2.5
Mitigating Circumstances
Extensions on formal assessments and submissions are not granted. If there are
extenuating circumstances for late or non-submission you need to make a Mitigating
Evidence Claim.
Start this on your Sussex Direct page by going to the Study tab and select Mitigating
Evidence. You will then need to scan and attach evidence of the circumstances before a
decision is made. This should be done as early as possible as you have a limited time to
start your claim.
For further information on mitigating evidence and circumstances you will need to consult
with the Student Life Centre:
Student Life Centre, Bramber House (Ground Floor), University of Sussex, BN1 9QU
T.: 01273 87 6767
F.: 01273 87 3344
Text ‘slcentre’ to 88020
E.: [email protected]
Or visit http://www.sussex.ac.uk/studentlifecentre/mitigation
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3. Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct
3.1 Writing well and avoiding academic misconduct
Plagiarism, collusion, and cheating in exams are all forms of academic misconduct which the
University takes very seriously. Every year, some students commit academic misconduct
unintentionally because they did not know what was expected of them. The consequences
for committing academic misconduct can be severe, so it is important that you familiarise
yourself with what it is and how to avoid it. The University’s S3 guide to study skills gives
advice on writing well, including hints and tips on how to avoid making serious mistakes.
Visit www.sussex.ac.uk/s3/writingwell and make use of the resources there.
You will also find helpful guides to referencing properly and improving your critical writing
skills.
Please read and ensure you understand the following terms:
Plagiarism
Do not copy solutions to exercises from some website or other source. Equally, when
writing essays or a dissertation, do not copy it from elsewhere.
Collusion
It is permissible to work with other students on the exercise sheets handed out by the
lecturers. Just copying someone else's solution is not permitted.
Examinations
You may not cheat by taking any written or electronic material into exams.
If you are dealing with difficult circumstances, such as illness or bereavement, do not try to
rush your work or hand in something which may be in breach of the rules. Instead you
should seek confidential advice from the Student Life Centre:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/studentlifecentre/
The full University rules on academic misconduct are set out in the Examination and
Assessment Handbook available at:
www.sussex.ac.uk/adqe/standards/examsandassessment
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3.2 Referencing
These are some useful websites and places to go to for advice on how to reference essays
and dissertations:
S3 website on referencing
You can get some resources and information on how to reference properly on the S3
website:
http://sussex.ac.uk/s3/referencing
infoSuss
The library offers a Study Direct site which gives advice and guidance on searching, finding
resources, using reading lists and referencing correctly to avoid plagiarism:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/library/infosuss/
Student Services Support Unit
Students Services Support runs workshops every term on study skills for students who know
how to reference and want to check the formatting styles.
E: [email protected]
T: 01273 877466
Academic Development Support
The Sussex Centre for Language Studies runs free ‘English Language and Study Skills
Support’ sessions for International students, including subjects such as note-taking,
summarising and paraphrasing, structuring an essay, understanding and writing essay titles,
paragraphing, referencing and writing a bibliography, introductions and conclusions and
advanced language skills. They can also offer support with academic cultural differences,
learning styles, what is meant by plagiarism, argument and critical analysis, as well as
looking at English for academic purposes.
This support is available free of charge to all full-time international/overseas students
completing a full degree where English is a second or additional language.
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/languages/english/acadev
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4. Contacts
4.1 Mathematics Department – Contact details
Office hours
Please note, that all lecturers hold office hours for students. We strongly encourage you to
use this as an opportunity to visit them in case you have any questions or concerns with
regards to your course or modules. You can check a lecturer’s office hours in Sussex Direct
by going into the lecturer’s page, or else contacting them by phone or e-mail.
Key Contacts
Head of School
Head of Department
Director of Student Experience
Examination Board Chair
Deputy Exam Board Chair (Maths)
Senior Tutors
Careers Tutor
Prof Peter Coles
Prof Enrico Scalas
Dr Barry Garraway
Prof Peter Coles
Dr Qi Tang
Prof James Hirschfeld
Dr Istvan Kiss
Faculty list with contact details
(all rooms located in Pevensey II/III buildings)
NAME
Becker, Dr Carole
Blyuss, Dr Konstantin
Cagnetti, Dr Filippo
Chlebik, Dr Miroslav
Dashti, Dr Masoumeh
During, Dr Bertram
Fenn, Dr Roger
Georgiou, Dr Nicos
Giesl, Dr Peter
Haigh, Dr John
Hirschfeld, Prof James
Jensen, Dr Max
Kiss, Dr Istvan
Koch, Dr Gabriel
Kyrychko, Dr Yuliya
Lakkis, Dr Omar
Luther, Dr Roger
Madzvamuse, Dr Anotida
Makridakis, Prof Babis
LOCATION
5C12
5C9
5C13
5C3
5C10
5C8
5C12
5C15a
5C1
5C21
5A42A
5C20
5C6
5C5
5C18
5C2
5C19
5C15
5C24
EMAIL
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
TEL
7220
2878
8311
7446
2648
3591
7439
6642
7442
8104
8080
8365
3021
3076
2884
7434
3602
3529
6617
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Melgaard, Prof Michael
Palombaro, Dr Mariapia
Robinson, Dr Derek
Scalas, Prof Enrico
Strauss, Dr Michael
Styles, Dr Vanessa
Taheri, Dr Ali
Tang, Dr Qi
Taylor, Dr Michael
Tsagkarogiannis, Dr Dimitrios
Zarnescu, Dr Arghir
5C27
5C14a
5C21
5C16
5C19
5A1
5C7
5C25
4C9
5C14
5C17
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
8933
6812
7441
6641
3602
7445
8481
7457
3213
6824
2877
Note that this list is as accurate as possible at the time of producing this booklet, but it might
change over time. Please refer to the university contacts website for up-to-date details:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/maths/people
14
5. Frequently Asked Questions
5.1 Module Changes
If you wish to change one of your option modules you can do so by filling in a ‘change of
module form’ from the MPS School Office. Requests for module changes are dealt within 48
hours and published on to your Sussex Direct page. Please note that we cannot guarantee
the requested change as we need to check on group sizes and availability first.
*Note: You will not be able to change modules after Week 2 of the term in which the
module is given. If you miss any assessments as a result of changing modules, you
will receive zero marks for these assessments.
5.2 Course Transfers
If you wish to transfer to another course you must fill in the PGT Transfer of Course form:
https://www.sussex.ac.uk/webteam/gateway/file.php?name=pgt-transfer-of-course---template-form.pdf&site=22
Send the completed form to Miss Jane Burton in the Student Systems and Records Office.
You will need the approval and signature from your course convenor for your application to
be considered. Once the transfer has been submitted you will receive an e-mail confirmation
to let you know whether or not it has been approved.
NOTE: The closing date for transfers is the end of week 2 in the autumn and spring
terms. Note that we do not allow transfers during the summer term.
5.3 Finding out about your Marks
You can check your module progress and results in Sussex Direct. Just log in and click on
the “Study” tab and choose “Module Results and Feedback” from drop down menu:
https://direct.sussex.ac.uk/login.php
5.4 Confirmation of Study Letters
If you require a ‘To Whom It May Concern’ (T.W.I.M.C.) letters for Council Tax, bank, estate
agents, private fee sponsors, visas, etc., you will need to make a request to the Student
Systems and Records Office in Sussex House. You can also request a letter using the online
request forms, please see their website for more details: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/ssro/enquiries
Please ensure you take your registration card with you when you collect the letter.
5.5 Council Tax
Full-Time students are exempt from paying Council Tax. Please refer to the Student
Systems and Records Office pages for more details: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/ssro/counciltax
You can apply for council tax exemption letters by selecting “option 6” on the online letter
request form: www.sussex.ac.uk/ssro/enquiries/letter
15