Students may offer a double-unit dissertation on a Mathematically related topic for examination at Part C. For example, applications of mathematics to another field (eg Maths in Music), historical topics, topics concentrating on the analysis of statistical data, or topics concentrating on the production of computer-generated data are acceptable as topics for an OD dissertation. A double-unit is equivalent to a 32-hour lecture course. Students will have approximately 6 hours of supervision for a double-unit dissertation distributed over Michaelmas and Hilary terms. In addition there are lectures on writing mathematics and using LaTeX in Michaelmas and Hilary terms. See the lecture list for details.
Candidates considering offering a dissertation should read the Guidance Notes on Extended Essays and Dissertations in Mathematics available at:
https://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/members/students/undergraduate-courses/teaching-and-learning/projects.
Application
Students must apply to the Mathematics Projects Committee for approval of their proposed topic in advance of beginning work on their dissertation. Proposals should be addressed to the Chairman of the Projects Committee, c/o Mrs Helen Lowe, Room S0.20, Mathematical Institute and are accepted from the end of Trinity Term. All proposals must be received before 12noon on Friday of Week 0 of Michaelmas Full Term. The application form is available at https://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/members/students/undergraduate-courses/teaching-and-learning/projects. Once a title has been approved, it may only be changed by approval of the Chairman of the Projects Committee.
The department also publishes a booklet of pre-approved Part C dissertation topics. This is available at https://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/members/students/undergraduate-courses/teaching-and-learning/projects. If you would like to offer one of these dissertations, you should contact the supervisor who proposed the topic in the first instance and then notify Projects Committee using the form available at https://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/members/students/undergraduate-courses/teaching-and-learning/projects by 12noon on Friday of Week 0 of Michaelmas Full Term.
Assessment
Dissertations are independently double-marked, normally by the dissertation supervisor and one other assessor. The two marks are then reconciled to give the overall mark awarded. The reconciliation of marks is overseen by the examiners and follows the department's reconciliation procedure (see https://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/members/students/undergraduate-courses/teaching-and-learning/projects).
Submission
TWO copies of your dissertation, identified by your candidate number only, should be sent to the Chairman of Examiners, FHS of Mathematics Part C, Examination Schools, Oxford, to arrive no later than 12noon on Monday of week 10, Hilary Term 2018. An electronic copy of your dissertation should also be submitted via the Mathematical Institute website. Further details may be found in the Guidance Notes on Extended Essays and Dissertations in Mathematics.
10000 word dissertation