Regulations for the Postgraduate Course in Operational Research

1. The Diploma of the University of Southampton (Dip Soton) is awarded by the Senate to postgraduate candidates who have satisfactorily completed not less than three terms of full-time study, or six terms of part-time study, and passed an examination in which distinction or a pass may be awarded.

2. The normal requirement for entry to the course shall be a good honours degree in Mathematics, Science, Engineering or Social Science or a postgraduate qualification involving substantial work with quantitative methods. Candidates with other qualifications approved by the Head of the Department of Mathematics may be accepted by the Faculty Board.

3. The course shall normally begin in October and shall contain lectures and coursework.

4. Candidates will be assessed by coursework and written examinations. Candidates shall present themselves for written examinations as required.

5. On successful completion of a diploma course, candidates deemed suitable by the Head of the Department of Mathematics may be permitted to continue with work on a full-time supervised project. A dissertation on this project must be submitted by 30 September following except that for part-time students and in special cases, and with the permission of the Head of the Department of Mathematics, a candidate may submit by a later specified date.

6. A candidate who satisfies the examiners in the coursework, the written papers and in the dissertation will be recommended for the award of the degree of Master of Science (MSc). The Diploma will not be awarded in this case. The degree may be awarded with Distinction.

7. With the permission of the Faculty Board a candidate failing to satisfy the examiners may, on one subsequent occasion, sit a supplementary examination and/or re-submit his/her dissertation by a date to be specified by the Faculty Board.