School of Mathematics & Statistics Welcome to...

School of Mathematics & Statistics Stage 1 Induction Information 28 th September 2015 I am... Stage 0/1 Degree Programme Director: Dr Peter Avery I am also... Degree Programme Director (Student Welfare and Progression) Major/Minor Advisor: Dr Daniel Henderson

Contact Details Dr Peter Avery Room 3.04

General Rules and Guidance The essential reference is: Degree Programme Handbook for 1 st Year Students School of Mathematics & Statistics which is on your data card. More information (and breaking news): If you need more detailed advice:  Personal Tutor  DPD (Degree Programme Director)  School Office

Sources of Information  The School website: PEC form DPD Request Form  NESS:  Blackboard:

Communication  You can use to contact your tutor or lecturers. Tell your tutor if you have personal/ health problems that affect your academic work.  You can organise meetings with your tutor through e- portfolio.  Please use your University address to contact us, not a private address.  Please don’t expect a running conversation or ask for detailed mathematical explanations.  Check your University regularly – this is how we communicate important information.

Overview of Stage 1  Stage 1 is essentially a qualifying exam for Stage 2.  In order to do well in Stage 2 you need a very good understanding of the Stage 1 topics.  As the material gets more difficult, it gets progressively more difficult to teach yourself from the lecture material. Thus it is crucially important to attend lectures and other classes and to attempt all the set work in order to do well.

Coursework  ICA for All Stage 1 MAS modules except the Problem Solving modules:  Assignment Lab (week 3/4) Questions given out in advance to practice on. Subset to complete during the lab.  Computer Based Assignments (CBA) weeks 6 and 9 Assessment using Numbas; Plenty of practice questions; Similar questions used in assessment.  Test (week 6/7) Unseen set of questions similar to those covered in lectures, etc.  Written assignment (week 11) Questions to complete in own time.

 All assignment submission sheets will be available to print from NESS.  Staple the correct personalised Header Sheet to the top left hand corner of the assignment.  All assignments must be submitted in the Homework Hand-in letterboxes before 13:00 on the due date.  Please do not submit coursework in plastic folders/covers.  Acknowledgement of receipt will be ed to students within one working day of the deadline. NESS will also indicate that a piece of coursework has been submitted.  It is the responsibility of the student to check submission receipts and notify any anomalies to the General Office within 24 hours of the submission deadline. Submission of Assignments

Coursework  Late work is not accepted. If ill etc and unable to submit an assignment, complete a PEC Form and take to the Stage DPD, asking for it to be excused.  Extensions possible for major projects (>5% of module) – submit a PEC form in advance of the deadline and take to the Stage DPD.  Most coursework is intended to be largely ‘formative’, i.e. it is intended to help you learn the material. The marks given for such coursework are an incentive for you to complete the coursework, and the marks awarded for coursework are often higher than for exam marks( particularly CBAs). You should not expect the marks available to reflect the amount of time spent on coursework.

Feedback  Feedback on coursework: indications where things have gone wrong, some general feedback, access to correct solutions. Feedback sessions, where you can ask questions.  Feedback on exams: General feedback is given: mark distribution, scaling, Individual feedback on your scripts is available on request.

Passing exams  Exams are in January, May/June (and August).  Stage 1 Exams are Pass/Fail where Pass=40.  They do not count to your final degree class.  (First = 70+, II-1 = 60+, II-2=50+, III = 40+).  You must 'pass Stage 1' to continue.  You need to pass any failed modules at Resits in August.  Only two attempts are normally allowed at each module.  Don’t book a holiday in August.  PEC if major illness or personal problems affect your exam performance. Again keep your personal tutor informed about any such problems.

Attendance  Students are, except for absence with good cause, expected to attend all elements of their programme of study, including lectures, tutorials and examinations.  A student who is absent between 2 and 7 calendar days must submit a self-certification form.  For absences longer than 7 days, a student must submit a medical certificate.  Complete a PEC form if the absence is significant enough to affect your assessments.

Monitoring attendance  Some classes are monitored.  Registers will be sent around lectures and MUST be returned at the end of the lectures.  If you do not manage to sign an attendance register, please sign the form at the front of the lecture theatre at the end of the class.

Behaviour  You are expected to maintain the highest level of behaviour and be considerate to staff and fellow students.  Keep mobiles to silent mode during lectures, tutorials, etc.  If you are unavoidably late for a lecture and the lecture has started when you arrive at the room, enter quietly. DO NOT let the door bang behind you. Take a seat near the door to avoid disruption to the lecturer and other students.  Talking should be kept to a minimum. Ask the lecturer a question if you are unsure about something.

Penthouse  The Penthouse (Level 7) is available for the use of all Mathematics & Statistics students(including JH) from 9.00am till 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.  There is a work area and power points.  Wifi is available there.  There is also social space.  Please keep it clean and tidy.  Avoid excessive noise in the social areas.  There is also a work area(reading room) on level 4 of the Herschel building.

Staff-Student Committee  Meets about twice a Semester to discuss any issue affecting undergraduate students. For example proposals to change degree programmes or problems with a specific module.  Meets at 1.30pm on a Wednesday. Lunch is provided.  Good thing to put on your CV.  Volunteers?