University of Southampton Calendar 2010/11


University Calendar 2010/11 Section XIII : Academic Regulations - Faculty of Social and Human Sciences

Academic Unit	School of Mathematics
Final Award	Master of Mathematics (MMath) Exit awards: Certificate of Higher Education Diploma of Higher Education Bachelor of Science
Programme(s)	MMath - full time
Last modified	July 2010

Reference should be made to the University's General Regulations found in Section IV and Section V (Higher Degree Regulations) of the University Calendar.

Except where an opt-out has been granted by the University (see below) the following academic regulations apply in addition to the General Regulations.

Admissions

1.1	All students admitted to a programme for the degree of Master of Mathematics (MMath) in the School shall be candidates for an honours degree and must: satisfy the Regulations for Admission to Degree Programmes as specified in the General Regulations; satisfy the appropriate programme requirements.
1.2	Students are required to have passes in three relevant subjects at GCE Advanced level including an approved mathematics subject. (See Mathematics website for more detail.) The Programme Board may admit students with other qualifications.
1.3	The School is committed to a comprehensive policy of equal opportunities for students and staff, in line with the University’s Equal Opportunities Policy. Individuals are selected and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities and are given equal opportunities within the University.

Structure of Programme(s)

2.1	All modules in the undergraduate programmes are credit rated in accordance with the principles contained in the CATS Guide and Regulations. A statement of how the CATS arrangements apply to each programme is included in the Undergraduate Degree Course Programmes Handbook.
2.2	The programme of full time study for the degree of MMath is four years.
2.3	Students for the MMath follow an approved pattern of study in accordance with the programme regulations in order to qualify for an award. The MMath Programme Co-ordinator ensures, subject to the approval of the Programme Board, that each student’s choice of modules forms a coherent pattern of study.
2.4	The following structure applies: The MMath programme consists of 32 modules. The modules taken in the first year form Part I, those in the second year form Part II, those in the third year form Part III, and those in the fourth year form Part IV. The subjects available in Mathematics are divided into modules: students are required to take the equivalent of eight modules in each year to form a coherent pattern of study for the degree programme. Normally four modules are taken in each semester. Certain modules may be prescribed as core or compulsory and this information is included in the Undergraduate Degree Programmes Handbook. Each module lasts one semester, and is offered at levels 1, 2, 3 or 4 with the level coinciding notionally with the year of study. In each year at least six of the eight modules must be at or above the corresponding notional level. In the second, third and fourth years modules are selected, other than those which are core or compulsory, from the appropriate second, third and fourth level modules in consultation with Personal Tutors and the Programme Co-ordinator. At least 20 MATH modules must be taken in the final three years of the programme. The full year project is equivalent to two modules.

Progression

3.1	Mathematics follows the University Progression Regulations (Section IV of the University Calendar) except that the Qualifying Mark for undergraduate programmes is zero (not 25%). As a result, Mathematics has a different set of progression criteria: details, including progression hurdles specific to the MMath programme, are in the Undergraduate Student Information Handbook Section II: Examinations which is issued annually to all undergraduate students.
3.2	Mathematics follows the University Progression Regulations (Section IV of the University Calendar) for the determination and classification of degrees.
3.3	Mathematics follows the University Progression Regulations (Section IV of the University Calendar) in cases where students do not obtain a standard in the assessments which is deemed satisfactory to the Programme Board. The following is additional to those regulations: A student repeating at the normal time of the assessments held in the following year shall normally be required to take the papers set for that occasion regardless of any change in syllabus.

Assessment

4.1	Each module in Mathematics is normally examined at the end of the semester in which it is given; some modules may include coursework or other assessment which takes place during the session. First year assessments form Part I, those in the second year form Part II, those in the third year form Part III, and those in the fourth year form Part IV.
4.2	Modules given by other Schools are assessed in line with the normal times for those Schools.
4.3	The School’s consideration of assessment marks is undertaken by relevant Examinations Boards, together with External Examiners for Parts II, III and IV, in line with the progression rules outlined in Section 3. above.

Award of Qualification(s)

5.1	The degree of MMath may be awarded as an Honours or an Ordinary degree. To be considered for an Honours degree students must have met the programme requirements and achieved at least 480 CATS points at the relevant levels. To be considered for an Ordinary degree students must have met the programme requirements and achieved at least 420 CATS points with 60 of those being at level 4.
5.2	Students allowed to proceed to the second year with at least 120 CATS points but opting not to do so will be recommended to the University Senate for the exit award of the Certificate in Higher Education. Students allowed to proceed to the third year with at least 240 CATS points but opting not to do so will be recommended to the University Senate for the exit award of the Diploma in Higher Education. Students allowed to proceed to the fourth year with at least 360 CATS points but opting not to do so will be recommended to the University Senate for the exit award of the Bachelor of Science, classified in accordance with the relevant regulations.
5.3	The exit or degree awards are made by the University Senate on the recommendation of the School to students who have satisfactorily completed the relevant study and assessment requirements. No award is made to a student who has an outstanding debt to the University.
5.4	Results are provided to students through formal statements of marks and their Personal Tutors or someone acting on their behalf. Other awards are notified to individuals as appropriate.
5.5	Regulations relating to complaints and appeals are in the University Calendar Section IV.

Placements/Study Abroad/Exchange/Fieldwork

6.1	The MMath programme requires no formal placement as part of its study requirements. Placements undertaken by students are therefore at their own request and they are responsible for all relevant matters relating to the placement.
6.2	An MMath student may be permitted to follow a programme varying slightly from the normal requirements, eg: spending a semester abroad, not as a programme requirement. Requests are considered individually.
6.3	Mathematics has an exchange arrangement with Curtin University in Australia. Requests to be considered for the exchange are considered individually.

Other

7.1	These regulations may be revised during a student’s period of registration in accordance with procedures approved by Senate.
7.2	Students are required to satisfy the academic requirements of their programmes (see Programme Handbooks) and the attendance requirements (University Calendar, Section IV). Failure to do so may lead to termination of programme (University Calendar, section IV).