student handbook 2018-19 - imperial college …scientists, engineers, clinicians and business...
TRANSCRIPT
STUDENT HANDBOOK
2018-19
Faculty of Natural Sciences
Department of Mathematics
MSc Applied Mathematics
Contents
Welcome to the College ...................................................................................................... 3
Our Principles ..................................................................................................................... 4
Welcome from the Graduate School .................................................................................. 5
The Graduate School .......................................................................................................... 6
Welcome from the Graduate Students’ Union (GSU) ....................................................... 7
1. Introduction to the Department ................................................................................... 8
Welcome from the Head of Department .................................................................. 8
Welcome from the Director of Postgraduate Studies ............................................... 8
Welcome from the Programme Director .................................................................. 9
Academic and Administrative staff .................................................................................. 10
English language requirement ......................................................................................... 11
Attendance and absence .................................................................................................. 11
Key dates 2018-19 ............................................................................................................. 11
2. Programme Information ............................................................................................ 12
Choice and Approval of Modules and Project ........................................................ 12
Applied MSc Modules ............................................................................................ 12
Work on the Project ............................................................................................... 13
Oral presentation ................................................................................................... 14
Imperial Mobile app........................................................................................................... 15
Imperial Success Guide .................................................................................................... 15
3. Assessment ................................................................................................................ 16
Overall Course Assessment .................................................................................. 16
Mastery Question .................................................................................................. 16
How Module Examination Marks are Determined .................................................. 16
Assignments and Projects ..................................................................................... 17
Submitting Assessed Work .................................................................................... 17
Collection of marked assessed coursework ........................................................... 17
Title of Degree ....................................................................................................... 18
Resit Rights and Procedure ................................................................................... 18
Instruction to Candidates for Examinations ................................................................... 19
Plagiarism ............................................................................................................. 19
Collusion: .............................................................................................................. 19
Exam offences ...................................................................................................... 19
Dishonest practice ................................................................................................. 20
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4. Board of Examiners .................................................................................................. 20
Board of Examiners ............................................................................................... 20
External Examiners ............................................................................................... 20
5. Location and Facilities .............................................................................................. 21
Facilities in the Huxley Building ............................................................................. 21
Maps ..................................................................................................................... 21
Accessibility ........................................................................................................... 21
6. Working While Studying ............................................................................................ 22
7. Health and Safety ....................................................................................................... 23
8. College Policies and Procedures .............................................................................. 24
Regulations for Students.................................................................................................. 24
Academic Feedback Policy .............................................................................................. 24
Provisional Marks Guidance ............................................................................................ 24
Late Submission Policy .................................................................................................... 25
Academic Misconduct Policy and Procedures ............................................................... 25
Appeal and Complaints Procedures ................................................................................ 25
Student Disciplinary Procedure ....................................................................................... 25
Intellectual Property Rights Policy .................................................................................. 25
Use of IT Facilities ............................................................................................................ 25
9. Well-being and Advice ............................................................................................... 26
Student Space ................................................................................................................... 26
Departmental support and College tutors ....................................................................... 26
Mathematics Department PG Welfare Officer .............................................................. 26
Advice services ................................................................................................................. 26
Health Services ................................................................................................................. 28
Disability Support ............................................................................................................. 28
Mathematics Department Disability Officer ................................................................... 29
Library and IT .................................................................................................................... 29
Religious support ............................................................................................................. 29
Support for International Students .................................................................................. 30
10. Student Records and Data ........................................................................................ 31
11. Work-life Balance ....................................................................................................... 32
Imperial College Union ..................................................................................................... 32
Graduate Students’ Union ................................................................................................ 32
Physical Activity Sport ........................................................................................... 32
12. Student feedback and representation ...................................................................... 33
Feedback from Students .................................................................................................. 33
Student Representation .................................................................................................... 33
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Staff-Student Committee .................................................................................................. 33
13. Student Surveys ......................................................................................................... 34
14. And finally .................................................................................................................. 35
Alumni Services ................................................................................................................ 35
Opportunities for Further Study ....................................................................................... 35
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Welcome to the College
Congratulations on joining Imperial College London, the only university in the UK to focus exclusively on science, medicine, engineering and business.
From Fleming’s discovery of Penicillin to Gabor’s invention of holography, Imperial has been changing the world for well over 100 years. You’re now part of this prestigious community of discovery and we hope you will take this opportunity to make your own unique contribution.
We’re committed to providing you with the very best academic resources to enrich your experience. We also provide a dedicated support network and a range of specialist support services to make sure you have access to the appropriate help, whether that’s further training in an academic skill like note taking or simply having someone to talk to.
You’ll have access to an innovative range of professional development courses within our Graduate School throughout your time here, as well as opportunities to meet students from across the College at academic and social events – see page 6 for more information.
We actively encourage you to seek out help when you need it and try to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Our choice of over 380 clubs, societies and projects is one of the largest of any UK university, making it easy to do something different with your downtime. You also have access to gym and swimming facilities (following an annual fee of £30 in 2018-19) across our campuses.
As one of the best universities in the world, we are committed to inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, clinicians and business leaders by continuing to share the wonder of what we do through public engagement events. Postgraduate students, alongside our academics and undergraduate students, make a significant contribution to events such as our annual Imperial Festival and our term-time Imperial Fringe events – if you’re interested in getting involved then there will be opportunities for you to do so.
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Our Principles In 2012 the College and Imperial College Union agreed ‘Our Principles’ a series of commitments made between students and the College. The Principles are reviewed annually by the Quality Assurance and Enhancement Committee and changes recommended for Senate approval.
Imperial will provide through its staff: • A world class education embedded in a research environment • Advice, guidance and support • The opportunity for students to contribute to the evaluation and development of programmes
and services Imperial will provide students with:
• Clear programme information and assessment criteria • Clear and fair academic regulations, policies and procedures • Details of full programme costs and financial support • An appropriate and inclusive framework for study, learning and research
Imperial students should:
• Take responsibility for managing their own learning • Engage with the College to review and enhance provision • Respect, and contribute to, the Imperial community
The Imperial College Students' Union will: • Support all students through the provision of independent academic and welfare assistance • Encourage student participation in all aspects of the College • Provide a range of clubs, societies, student-led projects and social activities throughout the year • Represent the interests of students at local, national and international level
www.imperial.ac.uk/students/our-principles
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Welcome from the Graduate School
Professor Sue Gibson, Director of the Graduate School
The Graduate School has several roles but our main functions are to provide a broad, effective and innovative range of professional
development workshops and to facilitate interdisciplinary interactions by providing opportunity for students to meet at academic and social events. Whether you wish to pursue a career in academia, industry or something else, professional skills development training will improve your personal impact and will help you to become a productive and successful researcher. Professional development courses for Master’s students are called “Masterclasses” and they cover a range of themes, for example, presentation skills, academic writing and leadership skills (http://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/pg/graduate-school/professional-skills/masters/). All Masterclasses are free of charge to Imperial Master’s students and I would encourage you to take as many as you can to supplement your academic training. The Graduate School works closely with the Graduate Students’ Union (GSU) and is keen to respond to student needs so if there is an area of development training, or an activity that you would like us to offer, but which is not currently provided, please do get in touch ([email protected]). The Graduate School also runs a number of exciting social events throughout the year which are an opportunity to broaden your knowledge as well as to meet other students and have fun. You should regularly check the Graduate School’s website and e-Newsletters to keep up to date with all the events and development opportunities available to you. Finally, I hope that you enjoy your studies here at Imperial, and I wish you well.
Sue Gibson
Dr Janet De Wilde, Head of Postgraduate Professional Development
I would like to welcome you to the Graduate School programme for postgraduate professional
development. Our team of tutors come from a wide variety of experiences and we understand just how important it is to develop professional skills whilst undertaking postgraduate studies and research. Not only will this development improve success during your time at Imperial College, but it will also prepare you for your future careers. We are continually working to develop the courses we offer and over this year you will see a range of new courses including face-to-face workshops, interactive webinars and online self-paced courses. I encourage you to explore and engage with the diverse range of opportunities on offer from graduate school and I wish you well in your studies.
Janet De Wilde
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The Graduate School
You automatically become a member of the Graduate School when you register as a postgraduate student at Imperial.
The Graduate School has been set up to support all postgraduate students at the College through:
• Training and development courses • Networking activities, social and academic
events to encourage cross-disciplinary interactions
• Forums to represent the views of postgraduate students throughout the College
‘Masterclass’ professional skills courses
You can see the full range of free professional skills courses for postgraduate students on the Graduate School website:
www.imperial.ac.uk/study/pg/graduate-school/professional-skills/masters
All courses can be booked online.
Contact us
Level 3, Sherfield Building, South Kensington Campus
020 7594 1383
www.imperial.ac.uk/graduate-school
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Welcome from the Graduate Students’ Union (GSU) I am delighted to welcome you to Imperial College! Let me introduce you to the Graduate Students’ Union (GSU). We are the representative body defending your interests as a postgraduate student in major decisions taken by the College. Beyond that, we work towards building a thriving postgraduate community that spans faculties and where students effectively communicate in an interdisciplinary way. Our committee is comprised of motivated postgraduate students like yourself, who have been appointed in university-wide elections and volunteer to make your experience at Imperial as fulfilling and enjoyable as possible. So, what are we up to for this coming year 2018/19? We are going to focus on three major areas of action:
• Continue improving post-graduate well-being by increasing the quality of supervision and by creating strategies to tackle common mental health challenges in higher education.
• Develop the GSU to become central to the postgraduate community by improving the two-way flow of information, between the GSU and you.
• Organise exciting events around the topics of well-being, interdisciplinary research, and entrepreneurship.
As the GSU president, I would like to emphasise that Imperial College London is relying on its postgraduate students to maintain its position as a front-runner in world-class research and teaching. For us, the GSU, to be successful we need to receive as much of your input as possible. We want to work with you, for you! Finally, I hope that you have a fantastic time here at Imperial and take advantage of the richness of opportunities that awaits you. If ever you have questions or ideas to share with us, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us and we are looking forward to seeing you at our events! Ute Thiermann, GSU President 2018/19
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1. Introduction to the Department
Welcome from the Head of Department
Dear Colleague,
Welcome to the Department of Mathematics at Imperial College.
I hope that your time here as a postgraduate student is both productive and fruitful.
Best wishes with your studies.
Prof David van Dyk
Welcome from the Director of Postgraduate Studies
Dear New MSc Students,
Welcome to the Mathematics Department at Imperial. The Department is eager to help you make your year of study a satisfying period of learning and creativity. Please read on. Your success and comfort will depend on your familiarity with the essentials of being an MSc student. I know you may experience a degree of information overload initially. But read at least this page and keep the welcome pack within reach for reference. (1) Engage: Mathematics and science are social activities. Your fellow students across the department and throughout the college are wonderful
resources of help, friendship, inspiration and creative stimulation, so get involved. (2) Academic and administrative support: The intention is that you develop a constructive, and hopefully friendly and fulfilling, relationship with the lecturers of the courses and your project supervisor. (3) Depth and breadth: Good mathematics and science needs the right balance between depth and breadth. One inevitably needs a thorough knowledge of ideas, methods and techniques from as broad a field as practically possible. Through breadth one may become aware of existing approaches that can turn out to be helpful when working on specific problems. Breadth is also needed in order to know what today's interesting and important open problems are. On the other hand, depth is needed to ensure that one's level of understanding is sufficiently detailed to allow one to make creative contributions. During your MSc study it is a good idea to attend seminars and the department colloquia, participate in discussion groups, etc. and in general feed your curiosity. I sincerely wish the next year may lead you to the insights and achievements you are hoping for,
Prof Henrik Jeldtoft Jensen
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Welcome from the Programme Director Dear Applied Mathematics MSc Students, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to all of you and look forward to interacting with your cohort throughout the academic year. I hope that the breadth of modules and research projects offered will give you the opportunity to pursue and develop your intellectual interests deeply over the year. This handbook contains a wealth of helpful information, but allow me to comment on some major points and offer some advice — Modules: The AMMP Section offers a wide variety of modules in Applied Mathematics, broadly defined. With your module selection, try to strike a good balance between depth and breadth. Your module selection should be shaped, in part, by your anticipated research project. That said, do not feel discouraged from pursuing your interests in other areas of Applied Mathematics. Applied Mathematics is a very fluid discipline, and major advances in one area are often made by utilising ideas from another. Talk to your Course Adviser about your module selection — they will be able provide good advice. Project: By Spring term you should have a research direction/project. Many MSc students find this to be the most rewarding aspect of the programme. During Spring term and the examination period, staying on top of your modules/examinations should be your top priority. But also try to work as much as you can on your research project. That way, you will be able to hit the ground running when you start working full time on your project during the summer months. During the course of your project, try to engage with your supervisor and research group as much as you can. If you are stuck on a problem, don’t be shy about talking to others! Outside of the MSc programme, you will find a number of activities occurring in the Department on a daily basis. Many of you will find the various seminar series to be of interest. The colloquia (AMMP and Departmental), are aimed towards a broad mathematical community are often very accessible. I wish you a productive and enriching year! Dr Ryan Barnett
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Academic and Administrative staff
Agnieszka Damasiewicz-Niccolai
MSc Administrator
Huxley 652
0207 594 2843 [email protected]
Dr Ryan Barnett
MSc in Applied Mathematics Programme Director
6M49, Huxley
0207 594 8536 [email protected]
Dr Tony Bellotti
PG Welfare Officer
522 Huxley
020 7594 8521 [email protected]
Prof Henrik Jeldtoft Jensen
Director of Postgraduate Studies
1201, 12th Floor, Electrical Engineering 0207 594 9853
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English language requirement If you are not a native English speaker you must meet the College’s English language requirements.
See the Admissions website for details:
www.imperial.ac.uk/study/pg/apply/requirements/english
For information on English language support available while you’re here, see English language support section.
Attendance and absence You must inform your Senior Postgraduate Tutor if you are absent from the College for more than three days during term. If the absence is due to illness you must produce a medical certificate after seven days. If you miss an examination through illness you must contact your Senior Postgraduate Tutor on the day and provide a medical certificate within five working days. If illness has impacted on your ability to take assessment, you should seek advice and support about making a claim for mitigating circumstances. Please note that there is a deadline of 5 working days from the date the assessment is due (hand-in date or examination date for example) to make a claim.
The Registry will be informed of all student non-attendances as the College is obliged to report the non-attendance of students on Tier 4 visas to the Home Office.
Students are expected to meet regularly (e.g. weekly) with their project supervisor during the course of their research project. Students are also expected to attend scheduled meetings with their Course Advisers during Autumn and Spring terms. Missed appointments will be reported to the Programme Director.
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Key dates 2018-19 Term dates
Autumn term: 29 September - 14 December 2018 Spring term: 5 January - 22 March 2019 Summer term: 27 April- 28 June 2019 Closure dates
Christmas/New year: 24 December 2018 –1 January 2019 (College reopens on 2 January 2019)
Easter holiday: 18 April - 23 April 2019 (College reopens on 24 April 2019) Early May bank holiday: 6 May 2019 Spring bank holiday: 27 May 2019 Summer bank holiday: 26 August 2019 Key events
Monday 1- Friday 5 October 2018: Welcome week programme Election of the Pure Mathematics MSc student representative
May 2019 Examinations Spring term Mid July 2019: Release of informal results 4pm 13 September 2019: Final deadline handing in MSc Thesis 19 and 20 September 2019 Project Oral Presentations Mid-late October 2019: Final meeting Board of Examiners Early-mid November 2019: Results released by Registry May 2020: Graduation Ceremony
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2. Programme Information
Choice and Approval of Modules and Project
On enrolment, each student is assigned a Course Adviser, who will advise the student on module choices, which will be subject to approval by the Course Director, as well as the choice of project topic and Project Supervisor.
MSc students may take modules of two different types:
1. Those listed below, which are often also final year undergraduate MSci modules.
2. Other modules approved by the MSc Course Director:
(a) Up to 2 courses from the MSc in Pure Mathematics;
(b) With permission from the Statistic MSc Director, 1 module from the MSc in Statistics;
(c) The module “Stochastic Processes" from the MSc in Mathematics and Finance;
(d) Under very exceptional circumstances, up to two modules may be taken from other departments (if, for instance, such a module is directly relevant for the MSc project). Permission will only be granted after internal discussion and with permission of the other Department. To request permission to enrol in a module outside of the Mathematics Department, complete the module request form.
Students may attend up to 9 modules, but will be examined/complete the project work in 8 modules (4 in each year for part-time students). The choice of modules may not overlap in any important aspect and together must form a coherent programme. Students will complete the examination entry form early in Spring Term. In all but exceptional cases, full time students will be examined on four modules from Autumn Term and four modules from Spring Term.
Applied MSc Modules
This is the list of M5 modules on offer in 2018–19. Modules will run provided there is sufficient demand. Descriptions of these modules are provided on the Applied Mathematics MSc webpage:
http://www.imperial.ac.uk/mathematics/postgraduate/msc/msc-in-applied-mathematics/modules/
Module Code Module Title Term Lecturer Exam CW
Applied PDEs, Numerical Analysis and Computation M5M3 Introduction to Partial Differential Equations 1 Dr M. Delgadino 90 10
M5A47 Finite Elements: Numerical Analysis and Implementation 2 Dr C. Cotter &
Dr D. Ham 50 50
M5N7 Numerical Solution of Ordinary Differential Equations 1 Dr I.
Shevchenko 0 100
M5N9 Computational Linear Algebra 1 Dr E. Keaveny 0 100
M5N10 Computational Partial Differential Equations 1 2 Professor J.
Mestel 0 100
M5SC Scientific Computation 2 Dr P. Ray 0 100
M5A51 Stochastic Differential Equations 1 Dr M. Coti Zelati 100 0
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M5M11 Function Spaces and Applications 1 Professor Pierre Degond 90 10
M5M12 Advanced Topics in Partial Differential Equations 2 Professor P.
Degond 90 10
M5P70 Markov Processes 1 Professor X-M.Li 90 10
Biology
M5A49 Mathematical Biology 1 Dr N. Jones 90 10
M5A50 Methods for Data Science 1 Dr D. Oyarzun 0 100
Dynamics
M5PA48 Dynamics of Games 1 Professor S. van Strien
40 (Oral) 60
M5PA23 Dynamical Systems 1 Professor J. Lamb 100 0
M5PA24 Bifurcation Theory 2 Professor D. Turaev 100 0
M5PA40 Random Dynamical Systems and Ergodic Theory: Seminar Course 2 Professor J.
Lamb 40 (Oral) 60
M5PA38 Advanced Dynamical Systems: Seminar Course 2 Professor J. Lamb 40 (Oral) 60
M5PA16 Geometric Mechanics 1 Professor D. Holm 90 10
M5PA34 Dynamics, Symmetry and Integrability 2 Professor D. Holm 90 10
Finance
M5F22 Mathematical Finance: An Introduction to Option Pricing 1 Dr P.
Siorpaes 90 10
Fluids
M5A2 Fluid Dynamics 1 1 Professor A. Ruban 100 0
M5A10 Fluid Dynamics 2 2 Professor A. Ruban 100 0
M5A28 Introduction to Geophysical Fluid Dynamics 2 Dr P. Berloff 100 0
M5A30 Hydrodynamic Stability 2 Dr M.S. Mughal 90 10
M5A32 Vortex Dynamics 2 Professor D. Crowdy 100 0
M5M7 Asymptotic Analysis 1 Professor X. Wu 100 0
Mathematical Physics
M5A4 Mathematical Physics 1: Quantum Mechanics 1 Dr E-M Graefe 90 10
M5A6 Special Relativity and Electromagnetism 1 Dr G. Pruessner 90 10
M5A7 Tensor Calculus and General Relativity 2 Dr C. Ford 90 10
M5A29 Theory of Complex Systems 2 Professor H. Jensen 0 100
M5M6 Methods of Mathematical Physics 1 Dr S. Olver 90 10
M5A52 Quantum Mechanics II 2 Dr R. Barnett 90 10
Work on the Project The project must be the study of some mathematical topic in applied mathematics at the postgraduate level. The project may be on a topic in statistics if the student can find a suitable supervisor in the Section of Statistics, but prior approval of the Programme Directors should be sought.
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The written report must be the student’s own work in the sense that the student must give an original account of the material. The work on the project is done under the direction of a supervisor. A list of projects and prospective supervisors will be issued in Autumn Term. We expect students to choose a project and a supervisor at the end of Autumn Term so that they can start working on their project early on. Students unable to find a supervisor by the beginning of Spring Term should consult with their Course Adviser and Programme Director.
It is essential for the student and supervisor to agree on a timetable for the work on the project. This should be done as early as possible. Students are expected to work on their project throughout the academic year and after the end of the exams in May. Students who leave all the work until after the written examination may find that their supervisor is not as regularly available as in term-time, due to other research and personal commitments. Students are advised to devote at least one month to writing up and revising the report. Work on the project and writing the project report should account for about a third of the student’s total study-time.
The purpose of the project is largely to train and test the student’s ability to work independently. The supervisor will provide a reading list and give general guidance on the work for the project and the writing of the report. The supervisor cannot be expected to provide a list of all the individual results that should go in the report, although a few major items will probably be mentioned. The student is strongly advised to pass a first draft of the report to the supervisor.
Reports should be typeset on A4-sized paper (typically using LaTeX). It is important that students sign the declaration “The work contained in this thesis is my own work unless otherwise stated”. Each report should include (i) a brief summary, (ii) an introduction (iii) the main body of the report, and (iv) a bibliography. A report should normally consist of 30-60 pages. This is only a rough guideline: the appropriate length is a function of the project itself and its subject matter. Excess length disproportionate to the content may be penalised. Two copies of the report must be submitted to Ms Damasiewicz by 13 September 2019. Late submission will normally delay consideration of the report to the following year.
Marking for the written report is weighted as follows. Presentation and Structure (basic organisation, style, clarity, layout, typography) 30%. Basic Content (mathematical sophistication, accuracy, quality of exposition, referencing) 30%. Student Initiative and Further Work (initiative, independence and originality, suitability of the work for wider dissemination) 40%.
Oral presentation In addition to submitting a written report, students will give an oral presentation, to take place on 19-20 September 2019. The oral presentation is an integral part of the project work and is worth 10% of the project mark. It consists of a 20 minute presentation followed by a brief question and answer session. Typically, presentations are computer-aided (e.g. using LaTeX or Power Point generated slides), but using the white-board during a presentation is also permitted. If you plan a computer presentation, it is best to either bring a USB drive containing your presentation, or leave your presentation in PDF format on your College computer account where it can be accessed from the computer in the lecture room. The audience will consist of two appointed staff members (other than your Supervisor). Additional staff members as well as fellow students are also permitted (and encouraged) to attend. You are strongly advised to prepare your oral presentation carefully, as it is an integral part of your training. Bear in mind that you only have 20 minutes, and that you should not assume or expect that the audience are experts in the area of your project. The purpose of the oral is not (primarily) to test your technical mastery of the material, but rather to see how you can convey main ideas and results in your work to a general mathematical public.
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Imperial Mobile app Don’t forget to download the free Imperial Mobile app for access to College information and services, including your programme timetable, College emails and a library catalogue search tool.
www.imperial.ac.uk/imperialmobile
Imperial Success Guide The Imperial Success Guide is an online resource with advice and tips on the transition to Master’s level study. More than just a study guide, it is packed with advice created especially for Imperial Master’s students, including information on support, health and well-being and ideas to help you make the most of London.
www.imperial.ac.uk/success-guide
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3. Assessment
Overall Course Assessment
The full-time course is examined in two sections:
1. The lecture modules are usually examined by written papers in May and/or June (or, exceptionally, in January), though for some modules this written paper may be supplemented by coursework. Occasionally a module may be examined purely by project. You will choose your exam options in February using the online exam selection tool DSS. Candidates absent without good cause from any examination for which they have entered will normally fail that module.
Students will not be committed to taking modules for which they initially register until the completion of their examination entry at the beginning of Term 2. Note: Students who take modules which are wholly assessed by project will be deemed to be officially registered on the module through the submission of a specified number of pieces of assessed work for that module. Thus, once a certain point is reached in these modules, a student will be committed to completing it, as will be made clear by the lecturer.
2. The project is examined by a written report and an oral presentation. This report must be submitted by 13 September 2019 and the oral presentations will take place on 19 and 20 September 2019. The oral presentation is an integral part of the project work and is worth 10% of the project mark. It consists of a 20 minute presentation plus a 5 minute question-and-answer session.
Part-time students will normally sit the written examinations in two parts, sitting 4 examinations after their first year and sitting 4 examinations after their second year. The project report must be submitted during September (precise date TBA) of the second academic year for part-time students.
Past exam papers may be found on the Maths Central page on Blackboard. Students are encouraged to use these papers to become familiar with the format and style of the examinations in the MSc. These papers may also be used to supplement exam revision. Any queries about the examination for a particular module should be directed in the first instance to the lecturer of that module. General exam queries should be directed to the Course Administrator or Course Director.
Students may find out in July from the Course Administrator which modules they have passed/failed, but exact marks cannot be released until after the Exam Board meeting in late October.
Mastery Question Written examinations for MSc students consist of 5 questions, which are each scored out of 20 marks.
The 5th question is a ”mastery” question that MSc and the M4 (4th year) undergraduate students are required to take on top of the other four questions. This question is designed to test the subject in greater depth. Students will be given an extra half an hour for this question (M3 students have 2hrs for the whole exam, MSc and M4 students have 2.5hrs for the exam) and it has the same mark weighting as questions 1-4. For modules where there is no corresponding M3 paper, there will still be a mastery 5th question and the exam will be 2.5 hours long.
How Module Examination Marks are Determined
Most modules are examined by a written paper in May or June, though some modules are examined purely by project.
If assessed coursework is part of the module, this is incorporated into the raw mark using the specified weighting (typically coursework carries a 10% weighting).
The raw marks are considered by a departmental panel in order to `level the playing field'. In particular, the Distinction/Merit, Merit/Pass, and Pass/Fail borders are set, where module lecturer input is taken
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into account. The difficulty of the examination is taken into account when setting these parameters, and the set borders will be different for each module.
The raw marks are then scaled with these parameters. For instance, papers right at the Distinction/Merit, Merit/Pass, and Pass/Fail borders will receive scaled marks of 70%, 60%, and 50% respectively. These scaled marks are used to determine the title of the degree as outlined in the Class Criteria section below.
Note: Until 2016-17, examination papers included a system of ‘bonus marks’ designed to give extra reward to high-scoring answers. You will see this when you look at past papers. Following a consultation exercise, this practice has been discontinued in all years from 2017-18.
Assignments and Projects
For many modules, particular pieces of work are set as assessed coursework or progress tests and they contribute up to 10% of the overall assessment of the module concerned. Some Module Lecturers may choose to use a combination of assessed coursework and progress tests whilst others may choose to only set assessed coursework or only set progress tests.
The exact nature and frequency of these forms of assessment is decided by individual Module Lecturers and the timing is staggered as far as possible so that, for different modules, the submission dates for assessed coursework and the sitting dates for progress tests are not all clustered together. Assessed coursework is not normally set with a submission deadline after the end of the current term.
Marked assessed coursework are returned to students to provide useful feedback. This should normally take no longer than ten working days.
Some modules have assignments that contribute more substantially to overall module assessment (over 10%).
Some modules are wholly project based and have no end-of-year examination. For some of these modules, oral presentations about the project(s) may form part of the overall assessment for the module.
Assignment and project scripts normally need to be retained by the Department as External Examiners have the right to see them. Students should keep a copy of all assignments and project work submitted. For modules where assignments are worth over 10%, if work is returned to students, they will be asked to return the marked work to the Department to be examined by the External Examiners.
Submitting Assessed Work
Most assessed work is submitted via the coursework pigeonholes although some staff members may ask you to hand your work directly to them.
Please note that these are not the pigeon holes inside the UG Office on the side – these are for collecting your work.
The corridor pigeonholes are in three sections. These three sections are arranged by TID number for First Year students and alphabetically for all other years. Please place your work in the relevant section and slot, according to the first letter of your surname, beneath the sign specific to your coursework.
Collection of marked assessed coursework
If a particular piece of assessed work or progress test has been marked and is available, the marks will be made available on Blackboard. Once marks are visible on Blackboard, this indicates that the work is now available for collection.
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The Department works towards a two week turnaround deadline on tests and short CW assignments (worth 5% or less). Larger CW pieces may take longer to return. If there is a delay, please contact the UG office.
Title of Degree
Successful candidates will be awarded the degree of MSc in Applied Mathematics.
A Pass mark will be awarded to students who
• Register for, and take the examination in, 8 module papers. Students must earn a pass mark (i.e., a score of at least 50%) in 6 module papers, with more than 40% in every paper, and score an average of at least 50% over all papers. A part-time student must register for, and take the examinations for 4 modules during each year, (8 in all). Part time students must earn a pass mark in at least 6 module papers, with more than 40% in each paper, and score an average of at least 50% over all papers. A student who earns below 40% in a module paper will have to resit that paper.
• Earn a pass mark (i.e., a score of at least 50%) in the research project.
To obtain a merit mark, a candidate must:
• Earn a pass mark in all 8 examinations with an average mark of 60% or above, and score 60% or above on the project.
• Where appropriate, a Board of Examiners may award a result of merit where a candidate has achieved an aggregate mark of 60% or greater across the programme as a whole AND has obtained a mark of 60% or greater in each element with the exception of one element AND has obtained a mark of 50% or greater in this latter element.
To obtain a distinction mark, a candidate must:
• Earn a pass mark in all 8 examinations with an average mark of 70% or above, and score 70% or above in the project.
• Where appropriate, a Board of Examiners may award a result of distinction where a candidate has achieved an aggregate mark of 70% or greater across the programme as a whole AND has obtained a mark of 70% or greater in each element with the exception of one element AND has obtained a mark of 60% or greater in this latter element.
Resit Rights and Procedure
A full-time candidate who at first entry fails in either the written examination or the report, may re-enter once, a year later, in the failed section (or in both failed sections). There are no further resit rights.
A part-time candidate taking the examination in two parts who fails an examination in Part I of the examination may normally resit the examination one year later, at the same time as Part II. There are no further resit rights for Part I. A candidate failing an examination in Part II may resit the examination or the report (or both) a year later, with the Part I marks being carried over. There are no further resit rights.
Any resit that requires further attendance at the College is subject to the approval of the College. A full-time candidate who fails the written examination, and intends to resit, should proceed with the report and submit it by 13 September of the same year. A part-time candidate must submit the project in September of the second year. Students must, before the end of January, inform MSc Administrator the modules that they intend to resit.
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Instruction to Candidates for Examinations
Students who are candidates for examinations are asked to note that all examinations are conducted in accordance with the College’s Academic Regulations, the Regulations for Programmes of Study and the Examination Regulations.
Instructions for exam candidates can be found here: http://www.imperial.ac.uk/media/imperial-college/administration-and-support-services/registry/academic-governance/public/academic-policy/exam-arrangements-and-re-sits/Instructions-to-candidates-for-examinations.pdf
Academic Integrity and Academic Misconduct As your programme of study continues, you will be taught the concept of academic integrity and how you can ensure that any work that you complete now, or in the future, conforms to these principles. This means that your work acknowledges the ideas and results of others, that it is conducted in an ethical way and that it is free from plagiarism.
Academic misconduct is the attempt to gain an academic advantage, whether intentionally or unintentionally, in any piece of assessment submitted to the College. This includes plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, exam offences (cheating) or dishonest practice. Full details of the policy can be found at:
www.imperial.ac.uk/student-records-and-data/for-current-students/undergraduate-and-taught-postgraduate/exams-assessments-and-regulations/plagiarism-academic-integrity--exam-offences/
Definitions of the main forms of academic misconduct can be found below:
Plagiarism Plagiarism is the presentation of another person’s thoughts, words, images or diagrams as though they were your own. Another form of plagiarism is self-plagiarism, which involves using your own prior work without acknowledging its reuse.
Plagiarism must be avoided, with particular care on coursework, essays, reports and projects written in your own time and also in open and closed book written examinations.
Where plagiarism is detected in group work, members of that group may be deemed to have collective responsibility for the integrity of work submitted by that group and may be liable for any penalty imposed, proportionate to their contribution.
Collusion: This is the term used for work that has been conducted by more than one individual, in contravention of the assessment brief. Where it is alleged that there has been collusion, all parties will be investigated under the Academic Misconduct procedure.
Exam offences Exam offences include behaviour such as bringing authorised material into an exam, attempting to communicate with others apart from the invigilator, trying to remove examination material without permission, taking an exam for someone else or getting someone else to take an exam for you.
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Dishonest practice Examples of dishonest practice include bribery, contact cheating (buying work from an essay mill or other individual to submit as your own), attempting to access exam papers before the exam, making a false claim for mitigating circumstances or providing fraudulent evidence, falsifying documentation or signatures in relation to assessment.
For further information, please refer to the Academic Misconduct Policy and Procedures section of this handbook.
4. Board of Examiners
Board of Examiners This includes the Programme Director, all faculty involved in lecturing an MSc course or supervising an MSc project, as well as the external examiners
External Examiners
Dr Emilian Parau, University of East Anglia
Dr Timo Betcke, UCL It is common for Master’s level students to have some form of academic or social interaction with their external examiners at some point during or after their studies as well as during the assessment process itself. It is inappropriate for you to submit complaints or representations direct to external examiners or to seek to influence your external examiners. Inappropriate communication towards an examiner would make you liable for disciplinary action. A summary of External examiners reports from the previous academic year can be found here:
www.imperial.ac.uk/staff/tools-and-reference/quality-assurance-enhancement/external-examining/information-for-staff
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5. Location and Facilities Imperial has a number of campuses in London and the South East. All have excellent travel links and are easily accessible via public transport.
Your main location of study will be:
Huxley Building
180 Queen`s Gate
London - SW7 2AZ
This is based on the South Kensington Campus
Facilities in the Huxley Building
Level 2 MSc Student computer room - 215
Level 4 Mathematics Learning Centre – 416 contains 64 computers, two study desks fitted out with audio-visual facilities for project presentations, two printers and a range of additional study areas.
Level 6 MSc Administrator Office – 652 open Monday-Friday 9:00-17:00
The printing room is located opposite the lifts
Lockers
There is a (limited) number of lockers on Level 1 of the Huxley building.
Maps Campus maps and travel directions are available at:
www.imperial.ac.uk/visit/campuses
Accessibility Information about the accessibility of our South Kensington Campus is available online through the DisabledGo access guides:
www.disabledgo.com/organisations/imperial-college-london-2
Smoke-Free Policy All Imperial campuses and properties are smoke-free. This means that smoking by staff and students is not permitted on or within 20 metres of College land. The policy covers all College properties, including student accommodation and sports grounds.
www.imperial.ac.uk/smoke-free
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6. Working While Studying
If you are studying full time, the College recommends that you do not work part-time during term time. If this is unavoidable we advise you to work no more than 10–15 hours per week, which should be principally at weekends and not within normal College working hours.
Working in excess of these hours could impact adversely on your studies or health.
If you are here on a Tier 4 visa you can work no more than 20 hours a week during term time. Some sponsors may not permit you to take up work outside your studies and others may specify a limit.
If you are considering part-time work during term time you are strongly advised to discuss this issue with your supervisor or Personal/Senior Personal Postgraduate Tutor. If you are on a Tier 4 visa you should also seek advice from the International Student Support team regarding visa limitations on employment.
The College’s examination boards will not normally consider as mitigating circumstances any negative impact that part-time work during term-time may have had on your performance in examinations or in other assessed work. Examinations or vivas cannot be rescheduled to accommodate your part-time working arrangements.
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7. Health and Safety
You are responsible for looking after your own health and safety and that of others affected by your College-related work and leisure activities. You must:
• comply with all local and College policies, procedures and codes of practice and with the
arrangements which the College has in place to control health and safety risks. • ensure that your activities do not present unnecessary or uncontrolled risks to yourself or to
others. • attend appropriate induction and training. • report any accidents, unsafe circumstances or work-related ill health of which you become
aware to the appropriate person. • not interfere with any equipment provided for Health and Safety. • inform your supervisor or the person in charge of the activity in cases where you are not
confident that you are competent to carry out a work or leisure activity safely, rather than compromise your own safety or the safety of others.
The College’s Health and Safety Statement can be found at:
http://www.imperial.ac.uk/safety/safety-by-topic/safety-management/health-and-safety-policy-statement/
Your Departmental safety contact is:
Andy Pope
131 Huxley
020 7594 8544
The College Safety Department
The Safety Department offers a range of specialist advice on all aspects of safety. This includes anything which you feel might affect you directly, or which may be associated with teaching, research or support service activities.
The College’s activities range from the use of hazardous materials (biological, chemical and radiological substances) to field work, heavy or awkward lifting, driving, and working alone or late.
All College activities are covered by general health and safety regulations, but higher risk activities will have additional requirements.
The Safety Department helps departments and individuals ensure effective safety management systems are in place throughout the College to comply with specific legal requirements.
Sometimes the management systems fail, and an accident or a near-miss incident arises; it is important that we learn lessons from such situations to prevent recurrence and the Safety Department can support such investigations. All accidents and incidents should be reported online at:
www.imperial.ac.uk/safety
To report concerns or to ask for advice you should contact your programme director, academic supervisor or departmental safety officer in the first instance. You may also contact the Safety Department directly..
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Occupational Health requirements
The College Occupational Health Service provides services to:
• protect health at work • assess and advise on fitness for work • ensure that health issues are effectively managed
The Service promotes and supports a culture where the physical and psychological health of staff, students and others involved in the College is respected, protected and improved whilst at work.
www.imperial.ac.uk/occupational-health
8. College Policies and Procedures
Regulations for Students All registered students of the College are subject to the Regulations for Students, the College Academic and Examination Regulations and such other regulations that the College may approve from time to time.
www.imperial.ac.uk/about/governance/academic-governance/regulations
www.imperial.ac.uk/students/terms-and-conditions
Academic Feedback Policy We are committed in providing you with timely and appropriate feedback on your academic progress and achievement, enabling you to reflect on your academic progress. During your study you will receive different methods of feedback according to assessment type, discipline, level of study and your individual need. Further guidance on the Policy of Academic Feedback can be found on the Academic Governance website:
http://www.imperial.ac.uk/media/imperial-college/administration-and-support-services/registry/academic-governance/public/academic-policy/academic-feedback/Academic-feedback-policy-for-taught-programmes.pdf
Modules within the MSc involve one or more course work assignments that are handed in during term time. Marked course work assignments are returned to the students two weeks after submission. Each module lecturer also will hold a weekly office hour. Students are encouraged to make use of these office hours.
Provisional examination marks (to be ratified by the Board of Examiners) will be made available in July.
Provisional Marks Guidance Provisional marks are agreed marks that have yet to be ratified by the Board of Examiners. These results are provisional and are subject to change by the Board of Examiners. The release of provisional marks is permitted except in certain circumstances. Further information can be found in the Guidelines for Issuing Provisional Marks to Students on Taught Programmes:
http://www.imperial.ac.uk/media/imperial-college/administration-and-support-services/registry/academic-governance/public/academic-policy/marking-and-moderation/Guidelines-for-issuing-provisional-marks-to-students-on-taught-programmes.pdf
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Late Submission Policy You are responsible for ensuring that you submit your coursework assessments on time and by the published deadline. Any piece of assessed work which is submitted beyond the published deadline (date and time) would be classed as a late submission. Further guidance on Late Submission of Assessments can be found on the Academic Governance website:
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/media/imperial-college/administration-and-support-services/registry/academic-governance/public/academic-policy/marking-and-moderation/Late-
submission-Policy.pdf
Academic Misconduct Policy and Procedures It is important that you learn how to properly attribute and acknowledge the work, data and ideas of others. Plagiarism is scientific misconduct, and students whose assessments can be shown to contain plagiarism are subject to penalties as outlined in the College’s Misconduct Policy and Procedures.
www.imperial.ac.uk/about/governance/academic-governance/academic-policy/complaints-appeals-and-discipline
Appeal and Complaints Procedures We have rigorous regulations in place to ensure assessments are conducted with fairness and consistency. In the event that you believe that you have grounds for complaint about academic or administrative services, or wish to appeal the outcome of an assessment or final degree, we have laid out clear and consistent procedures through which complaints and appeals can be investigated and considered:
www.imperial.ac.uk/about/governance/academic-governance/academic-policy/complaints-appeals-and-discipline
Student Disciplinary Procedure The College has the right to investigate any allegation of misconduct against a student and may take disciplinary action where it decides, on the balance of probabilities, that a breach of discipline has been committed. The general principles of the Student Disciplinary Procedure are available on the College website:
www.imperial.ac.uk/admin-services/secretariat/college-governance/charters/ordinances/students/
Intellectual Property Rights Policy For further guidance on the College’s Intellectual Property Rights Policy is available on the College website:
www.imperial.ac.uk/students/enterprising-students/intellectual-property/
Use of IT Facilities View the Conditions of Use of IT Facilities:
http://www.imperial.ac.uk/admin-services/ict/self-service/computers-printing/staff-computers/conditions-of-use-for-it-facilities/
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9. Well-being and Advice Student Space The Student Space website is the central point for information on health and well-being.
www.imperial.ac.uk/student-space
Departmental support and College tutors
Your Department has a system of academic and pastoral care in place to make sure you have access to the appropriate support throughout your time here. This includes:
Postgraduate Welfare Officer
The Department’s Personal Postgraduate Tutor can offer pastoral support and advice. You can arrange to have a meeting with them at any time during your studies – what you discuss will be completely confidential.
If necessary they will direct you to an appropriate source of support.
Mathematics Department PG Welfare Officer Dr Tony Bellotti 522 Huxley [email protected]
Advice services The tutor system is complemented by a College-wide network of advice and support. This includes a number of specialist services.
Careers Service
The Careers Service has strong links to your Department and you will have a named Careers Consultant and Placement and Internship Adviser who will run both group sessions and individual
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meetings within your Department. You can arrange to meet with your linked Careers Consultant or Placement and Internship Adviser either in your Department or centrally at the South Kensington Campus on Level 5, Sherfield Building where the Careers Service is based.
Visit the Career Service’s website to:
• Book a careers appointment • Find resources and advice on successful career planning
www.imperial.ac.uk/careers
Counselling and Mental Health
The Student Counselling and Mental Health Advice Service offers short-term counselling to all registered students. The service is free and confidential. Counsellors are available at the South Kensington, Hammersmith and Silwood Park Campuses.
www.imperial.ac.uk/counselling
Financial support and tuition fees
If you’ve got any questions about student financial support (loans, scholarships and research council studentships, US and Canadian loans) then contact the Student Financial Support team:
020 7594 9014
If you suddenly find yourself in financial difficulties or experience an unexpected change in circumstances, you may be eligible to apply for emergency financial help through the Student Support Fund. The Fund offers a one-off payment of up to £2,000 to cover such emergencies as last minute accommodation and travel necessities, equipment and childcare. It does not have to be repaid.
http://www.imperial.ac.uk/students/fees-and-funding/financial-assistance/student-support-fund/
For tuition fees queries, contact the Tuition Fees team:
020 7594 8011
Imperial College Union (ICU) Advice Centre
Imperial College Union runs the Advice Centre independently of the College with advisers on hand to provide free, confidential, independent advice on a wide range of welfare issues including housing, money and debt, employment and consumer rights, and personal safety.
www.imperialcollegeunion.org/advice
Student Hub
The Student Hub represents a single point of contact for all key administrative information and support. The Student Hub team can help you with enquiries about:
Accommodation (including checking contracts for private accommodation) Admissions International student enquiries
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Research degrees Student financial support Student records Tuition fees
Level 3, Sherfield Building, South Kensington Campus
020 7594 9444
www.imperial.ac.uk/student-hub
Health Services
NHS Health Centre and finding a doctor
Even if you’re fit and healthy we recommend that you register with a local doctor (GP) as soon as you arrive in London. For help finding your nearest GP see the Student Space website:
www.imperial.ac.uk/student-space/here-for-you/find-a-doctor
There is the Imperial College Health Centre on our South Kensington Campus which you may visit during clinic hours if you’re feeling unwell. Students living within the practice catchment area are encouraged to register with the Centre.
www.imperialcollegehealthcentre.co.uk
NHS Dentist (based in the Imperial College Health Centre)
Imperial College Dental Centre offers a full range of NHS and private treatment options.
www.imperial.ac.uk/student-space/here-for-you/dentist
Disability Support
Disability Advisory Service
The Disability Advisory Service provides confidential advice and support for all disabled students and students with specific learning difficulties.
If you think you may have dyslexia or another specific learning difficulty but have never been formally assessed, the Disability Advisory Service offers initial screening appointments.
Room 566, Level 5, Sherfield Building, South Kensington Campus
020 7594 9755
www.imperial.ac.uk/disability-advisory-service
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Departmental Disability Officers
Departmental Disability Officers are the first point of contact within your department. They can apply for additional exam arrangements on your behalf, and will facilitate support within your Department.
Mathematics Department Disability Officer Dr Tony Bellotti 522 Huxley [email protected]
More information on Departmental Disability Officers is available at:
www.imperial.ac.uk/disability-advisory-service/support/ddos
More information on procedures for the consideration of additional exam arrangements in respect of disability is available at:
www.imperial.ac.uk/media/imperial-college/administration-and-support-services/registry/academic-governance/public/academic-policy/exam-arrangements-and-re-
sits/Exam-arrangements-in-respect-of-disability.pdf
Library and IT
Information and Communications Technologies (ICT)
If you’re having problems with technology (including computers, laptops and mobile devices), you can get help from ICT’s Service Desk.
020 7594 9000
www.imperial.ac.uk/ict/service-desk
Software shop
The Software shop offers a variety of general and subject specific software programs and packages for free or at a discounted price for Imperial students.
www.imperial.ac.uk/admin-services/ict/shop/software
Library services
The Central Library at South Kensington is open around the clock pretty much all year. Make sure you find out who your departmental librarian is as they’ll be able to help you find resources for your subject area. Also, don’t forget to check out the Library’s range of training workshops and our other campus libraries for access to specialist medicine and life sciences resources. Alongside these physical spaces and resources, the Library provides over 170,000 electronic books, journals and databases available both on and off campus and a free document delivery service to help you source books and articles from around the UK and the rest of the world:
www.imperial.ac.uk/library
Religious support
The Chaplaincy Multi-faith Centre has chaplains from many different religions, as well as prayer rooms and information on places of worship. In addition, it runs meditation classes and mindfulness
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workshops for stress management. There is a student-run Islamic prayer room on campus and separate areas available for male and female Muslims.
www.imperial.ac.uk/chaplaincy
Support for International Students English language support
The Centre for Academic English provides free in-sessional English courses for international students while they are studying. These include classes and workshops on academic language, social language, the four skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking, 1-1 consultations with a tutor to work on a piece of academic writing or an oral presentation, self-study resources in the VLE Blackboard, and the Conversation Project, which partners students with a native-speaker volunteer to practise social and conversational English.
www.imperial.ac.uk/academic-english
International Student Support team
Students from outside the UK make up around half of our student population, so our International Student Support team offers year-round support to help our international students settle into Imperial life. This includes UK visa and immigration advice and trips to different places of interest.
www.imperial.ac.uk/study/international-students
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10. Student Records and Data
The Student Records and Data Team are responsible for the administration and maintenance of the student records for all students studying at the College. This includes enrolments, programme transfers, interruption of studies, withdrawals and processing of examination entry for research degree students. The team also use this information to fulfil reporting duties to the Student Loans Company, Transport for London and the UKVI, as well as other external bodies.
The Team is responsible for the processing of student results and awards on the student record system as well as the production and distribution of academic transcripts and certificates of award.
The Student Records and Data Team produce a variety of standard document requests for both current and previous students including council tax letters, standard statements of attendance and confirmation of degree letters.
Student records and examinations
+44 (0)20 7594 7268
Degree certificates
+44 (0)20 7594 8037
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11. Work-life Balance
The pace and intensity of postgraduate study at Imperial can be demanding so it’s important to find time for outside interests.
Imperial College Union The Union’s range of 380+ student-led clubs, societies and projects is one of the largest of any UK university, opening up lots of ways for you to enjoy your downtime.
www.imperialcollegeunion.org/about-us
Graduate Students’ Union The Graduate Students’ Union is the postgraduate arm of Imperial College Union. The GSU works alongside the Imperial College Union President to ensure that the requirements of postgraduate students are catered for. It also organises a number of academic and social events during the year.
Physical Activity Sport Imperial College has a wide range of sports and activities on offer that cater for all standards and abilities. We have a recreational activity offer, competitive sports teams and an elite sport programme. We are dedicated to ensuring we have a diverse, inclusive and exciting offer for all. With an annual fee of £30 you will get use of the gym and swimming facilities on our campuses.
www.imperial.ac.uk/sport
12. Student feedback and representation
Feedback from Students The College and Union is committed to continually improving your education and wider experience and a key part of this is your feedback. Feedback is thoroughly discussed by your student representatives and staff.
Student Representation Student Representatives are recruited from every department to gather feedback from students to discuss with staff. More information about the role, and instructions on how to become an academic representative, are available on the Imperial College Union (ICU) website.
www.imperialcollegeunion.org/your-union/your-representatives/academic-representatives/overview
Staff-Student Committee Staff-Student Committees are designed to strengthen understanding and improve the flow of communication between staff and students and, through open dialogue, promote high standards of education and training, in a co-operative and constructive atmosphere. College good practice guidelines for staff-student committees are available here:
www.imperial.ac.uk/about/governance/academic-governance/academic-policy/student-feedback
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13. Student Surveys
Your feedback is important to your department, the College and Imperial College Union.
Whilst there are a variety of ways to give your feedback on your Imperial experience, the following College-wide surveys give you regular opportunities to make your voice heard:
• PG SOLE lecturer/module Survey or departmental equivalent • Student Experience Survey (SES)
The PG SOLE lecturer/module survey runs at the end of the autumn and spring terms. This survey is your chance to tell us about the modules you have attended and the lecturers who taught them.
For PG SOLE your lecturers will receive their individual numerical results and comments shortly after the survey closes. To make the most of your opportunity to give your feedback, please do not use offensive language or make personal, discriminatory or abusive remarks as these may cause offence and may be removed from the results. Whilst this survey is anonymous, please avoid self-identification by referring to personal or other identifying information in your free text comments.
The Student Experience Survey (SES) is another opportunity to leave your views on your experience. This survey will cover your induction, welfare, pastoral and support services experience.
The Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) is the only national survey of Master’s level (MSc, MRes, MBA and MPH) students we take part in. This is the only way for us to compare how we are doing against the national average and to make changes that will improve our Master’s students’ experience in future. PTES covers topics such as motivations for taking the programme, depth of learning, organisation, dissertation and professional development. PTES last ran in spring term 2018 and will next run in Spring 2020.
All these surveys are anonymous and the more students that take part the more representative the results so please take a few minutes to give your views.
Student feedback plays a crucial role in the way we shape the MSc course.
The Union’s “You Said, We Did” campaign shows you some of the changes made as a result of survey feedback:
www.imperialcollegeunion.org/you-said-we-did
If you would like to know more about any of these surveys or see the results from previous surveys, please visit:
www.imperial.ac.uk/students/academic-support/student-surveys/pg-student-surveys
For further information on surveys, please contact the Registry’s Surveys Team at:
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14. And finally
Alumni Services When you graduate you will be part of a lifelong community of over 190,000 alumni, with access to a range of alumni benefits including:
• discounts on further study at the College and at Imperial College Business School • alumni email service • networking events • access to the Library and online resources • access to the full range of careers support offered to current students for up to three years after
you graduate • access to our Alumni Visitor Centre at the South Kensington Campus, with free Wifi,
complimentary drinks, newspapers and magazines, and daytime left luggage facility
Visit the Alumni website to find out more about your new community, including case studies of other alumni and a directory of local alumni groups in countries across the world.
www.imperial.ac.uk/alumni
Opportunities for Further Study After you have completed the MSc in Applied Mathematics you may choose to pursue options in a variety of areas. Previous graduates have often gone on to pursue PhD degrees in related fields, as well as to work in the private sector, including industry, consulting, and the financial services.