Department of Applied Mathematics & Theoretical Physics
Module AMA320 - Investigations
Module Coordinator: Dr H W van der
Hart
(room 0G.031 David Bates Building)
E-mail : h.vanderhart@qub.ac.uk
Telephone : x6048
| Class Schedule | Aims and Objectives |
| Course Description | Reports |
| Absences |
AMA320 Investigations is, as the name suggests, an investigations module. The module is aimed at M.Sci. students in their third year, in order to prepare them for the longer project that they will encounter in their fourth year. B.Sc. students, who would like to use mathematics to investigate a certain topic, should choose the Level 3 project module, 210AMA311, or the Pure Mathematics investigations, 210PMA313, and contact the associated module ccordinator.
Investigations can be held in several different ways, and in this module, you will encounter a few of these. An investigation can involve the actual study of a problem, but it can also involve studying the literature to learn new techniques.
Three different approaches towards solving problems will be explored.
The final part of the module is a long literature investigation. You will investigate a topic, outside the standard topics offered by the Department, using textbooks from the library.
Formal lectures
There are no formal lectures as such associated with the module. Group-working sessions will be held at the beginning of the module, while later sessions will focus more on providing small groups and individuals guidance on their projects. Classes will start Monday 28 January 2008 in 13 University Square, room G01. Classes are scheduled as follows:
| Monday: | 14.00 - 15.00 | 13 University Square, room G01 |
| Tuesday: | 11.00 - 12.00 | 10 University Square, room 101 |
| Thursday: | 11.00 - 12.00 | 13 University Square, room G01 |
| Friday: | 13.00 - 14.00 | David Bates Building, room 2.006 |
The first aim of the module is to develop skills in performing extended investigations. You may have encountered short investigations in previous modules, and, of course, you may have attempted homework problems. These problems have generally been well structured, and the methods for solving the problems may have been easy to identify. Real-life problems are generally quite different: one may have to make decisions on what one actually intends to solve, and one may have to choose how to solve the problem. Only through experience can one make better decisions, and the first aim is to develop such experience.
The second aim of the module is to develop the skills to improve knowledge on your own, for example by the use of textbooks. To obtain a deep understanding on almost any subject, one must consult advanced-level textbooks.
The third aim of the module is to develop communication skills, and writing skills in particular.
If you are absent through illness, you should complete a self-certificate form (or, in the case of more serious or prolonged illness, you should obtain a doctor's certificate) and forward it to the School of Mathematics and Physics office. If your reasons for absence are of a personal nature, you should confide in your adviser of studies or faculty tutor, at least so that they have some awareness of your problems. You may wish to confide further in one of the doctors at Student Health, in the Student Counsellor, or in one of the university chaplains. In the case of absence for more than 4 weeks, the university has to inform your Area Board. The Board could cancel your grant if they aren't satisfied with your reasons for absence.
The module is assessed through four written reports. Each of the investigations ends with the hand-in of a report on the investigation.
A list of topics for the small-group projects and individual projects will be made available shortly after the start of the module through Queen's Online. A list of topics for the long investigations will be made available during the individual projects, also through Queen's Online.
H W van der Hart
28 January 2008