MMathPhys/MSc in Mathematical and Theoretical Physics Handbook (2026-27 Entry)

Prelude

This handbook applies to students studying the MMathPhys/MSc Mathematical and Theoretical Physics degree in the 2026-2027 academic year. The information in this handbook may be different for students starting in other years.

The Examination Regulations relating to this course are available at:

https://examregs.admin.ox.ac.uk/.

If there is a conflict between the information in this handbook and the Examination Regulations then you should follow the Examinations Regulations.

The information in this handbook is accurate as at October 2026, however it may be necessary for changes to be made in certain circumstances, as explained at https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/changes-to-courses. If such changes are made the department will publish a new version of this handbook together with a list of the changes and students will be informed.

Welcome

Welcome to the Oxford Master’s Course in Mathematical and Theoretical Physics. Our course provides a high-level education in the areas of Theoretical Particle Physics/String Theory, Condensed Matter Theory, Theoretical Astrophysics/Fluids and Mathematical Foundations of Theoretical Physics up to the level of research.

As you are probably aware, there is considerable flexibility in designing your path through the course; you can decide to focus on one of the above subject areas or study a broader span across areas. It is important that you consider your choices carefully. Consult the course synopses and this handbook for more information and, if in doubt, talk to your supervisor or an academic related to the programme.

For an advanced programme of this kind, you will find that the assessment types correlate with the nature of the course material. There are certain constraints specified in the examination conventions, for example, you must be assessed by written examination for a minimum of four units. You must ensure your course choices are consistent with these constraints. Also note that Trinity term is devoted to advanced courses and there is no designated “revision” period.

Passing exams is a necessary and important part of learning and education but we hope you agree that there is significantly more to it. Enthusiasm, engagement with the subject, the desire for deep and profound understanding is what truly motivates us and we hope this is how you will engage with the course. We wish you a successful, productive and insightful year.

Best wishes,

Prof Lionel Mason and Prof Steven Simon

1. Introduction

This handbook contains important information about the Master’s course in Mathematical and Theoretical Physics. It is intended as a guide and reference for you throughout the course. There are a number of other sources of information that you will need to refer to during your course and links to these are given in the following section.

1.1 Key Sources of Information

Course website, available from 07 October 2026: https://mmathphys.site.ox.ac.uk/

Mathematical Institute website: http://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/

Department of Physics website: http://www.physics.ox.ac.uk/

Examination Regulations: https://examregs.admin.ox.ac.uk/ 

The University’s examination regulations govern all academic matters within the University and contain the general regulations for the conduct of University examinations, as well as specific regulations for each degree programme offered by the University.

Examination Conventions: https://mmathphys.site.ox.ac.uk/students (available from 07 October 2026)

The examination conventions for the course set out how each unit will be assessed and how the final degree classification will be derived from the marks obtained for the individual units.

Oxford student website: http://www.ox.ac.uk/students

Oxford Student Handbook: https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/student-handbook 

This contains general information and guidance about studying at the University of Oxford, and gives you formal notification and explanation of the University’s codes, regulations, policies and procedures.

Your College Handbook will be made available by your college

1.2 Key Contacts

Course Director, Prof Lionel Mason: lionel.mason@maths.ox.ac.uk

Chair of the Joint Supervisory Committee, Prof Steven Simon: steven.simon@physics.ox.ac.uk

MSc course administration: mmathphys@maths.ox.ac.uk

1.3 Finding your way around

In-person teaching for the course will take place in the Andrew Wiles Building (Mathematical Institute) and in the Denys Wilkinson Building and Clarendon Laboratory (Department of Physics). 

In the Andrew Wiles Building, all lecture rooms and classrooms are located on the mezzanine level, see: http://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/about-us/travel-maps and for accessibility: https://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/members/building-information/accessibility

To enter the Denys Wilkinson Building, go up the wide concrete steps from Keble Road; turn left at the top and the entrance is facing you:
https://www.accessguide.ox.ac.uk/denys-wilkinson-building

The main entrance to the Clarendon Laboratory is on Parks Road, next to the University Parks: https://www.accessguide.ox.ac.uk/clarendon-laboratory

A searchable, interactive map of all college, department and libraries can be found at https://maps.ox.ac.uk/

1.4 Buddy System

All incoming MSc students will be buddied with an internal fourth year MMathPhys student, who has transferred from Oxford's undergraduate MMath, MPhys or MMathPhil programme. The purpose is to help integrate new students. We aim to make these matches based on identical or closely located colleges. MSc students will receive their buddy’s college e-mail address to make contact. Questions can be asked about practical aspects of student life at Oxford. Depending on the ratio of internal and external students, some internal students may have more than one external buddy. There is no need to meet individually, but you can get together as a group.

1.5 The Academic Year

1.6 Resources and Facilities

Departmental spaces 

1.7 Glossary

The University of Oxford and its colleges have a unique collection of terminology, many of which are listed in the University glossary

Other useful terminology includes:

Bodcard: An informal name for your student identification / University (library) card provided by your college

Bop: A large college party usually run in the bar or similar location. Undergraduate bops generally admit students from the college in question. Graduate bops are usually much larger and involve many colleges.

Candidate Number: Different to the student number, a unique number assigned to you specifically for assessments.

Classes: Each Part C and MTP lecture course is accompanied by a set of classes (called ‘intercollegiate classes’ if they are held at Part C and ‘classes’ if they are held in Physics.) For Maths courses, these will be run by a tutor and teaching assistant (TA), for Physics courses, these will be led by a TA, and will cover any problems that have arisen from the problem sheets. 

Consultation Sessions: Revision sessions which take place for courses run by the Maths Institute in Weeks 2-5 of Trinity term. 

Consultative Committee for Graduates (CCG): A committee consisting of postgraduate representatives from the Mathematical Institute and the Director of Graduate Studies (Research).

Course: This is used for individual components that mighe described as modules at other institutions. It can also be used to describe the overall MSc programme.  

Examination Schools: The building located on High Street where most in-person written examinations take place. 

GSR: Supervisors submit termly reports as part of Graduate Supervision Reporting.

JSC: Acronym for the Joint Supervisory Committee in Mathematical and Theoretical Physics, consisting of Maths and Physics academics who generally meet once per term to make decisions about the programme. Student representatives also attend these meetings.

2. Course Overview and Structure

The programme is offered in two modes: the MMathPhys for internal Oxford fourth year undergraduates, and the MSc for external applicants joining Oxford for Master's entry. The academic content is identical for both modes and the programme will be referred to as 'MSc MTP' for simplicity. 

If you are an Oxford MPhys, MMath or MPhysPhil student who transfers to the MMathPhys, you will graduate as a “Master of Mathematical and Theoretical Physics” with a double classification consisting of the BA degree class in your original subject and an MMathPhys degree class. If you are a student on the MSc course, you will graduate with an “MSc in Mathematical and Theoretical Physics.”

These qualifications may be compared to national standards for higher education qualifications through the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ).

2.1 Aims

The Oxford Master’s Course in Mathematical and Theoretical Physics aims to provide students with a high-level, internationally competitive training in mathematical and theoretical physics, right up to the level of modern research in the area.

As a graduate of this programme you will be in a prime position to compete for research degree places in an area of Theoretical and Mathematical Physics at leading research universities in the UK or overseas or to pursue a research-related career, based on the acquired high-level ability in mathematics and its applications to physical systems, outside academia.

2.2 Learning Outcomes

2.3 Structure

The course requires that you 'offer', meaning that you choose to be assessed, in 10 units worth of courses. 

The unit weighting of courses is decided by the course director and usually corresponds to the length of the lecture course. For example, a course with 16 hours of lectures will usually be worth 1 unit. A course with 24 hours of lectures, is worth 2 units. 

In order to qualify for a Pass, students must offer:

•  four units that are assessed by written invigilated exams
• a further three units that are assessed by written invigilated exams or by other formal assessments (dissertation or mini-project)
• three other units, which can be written invigilated exams, formal assessments or homework completion courses

It is your responsibility to ensure that you fulfil the requirements for the overall number of units and the number of assessed units. The modes of assessment and details on completion requirements for all courses are provided in the courses synopses of this handbook and Appendix A of the exam conventions.

There are no compulsory courses on this degree. So, you can tailor your choices to your personal interests. 

Course synopses are available on the MMathPhys website: 

https://mmathphys.site.ox.ac.uk/students (available from 07 October 2026)

You are responsible for managing your course load

You should carefully consider how many courses you take each term and how many assessments you are prepared to undertake. Written examinations are sat in 0th week Hilary term, 0th week Trinity term and weeks 6-8 of Trinity term. Dissertations are also due in Week 6 of Trinity term. So it's especially important not to overburden yourself in Trinity term. 

You will be offered academic guidance by your assigned Academic Adviser on choosing an individual path suitable for you. You may also reach out to the Course Director for advice. Course lecturers will also advise on the recommended background for their courses or possible follow-up courses you might wish to choose.

2.4 Approved Subjects

In addition to the courses listed in Appendices A-C students are allowed to choose a maximum of three units from other Maths Part C (https://courses.maths.ox.ac.uk/mod/folder/view.php?id=55865) or Physics Part C courses:

C1. Astrophysics C2. Laser Science and Quantum Information Processing C3. Condensed Matter Physics C4. Particle Physics C5. Physics of Atmospheres and Oceans C7. Biological Physics C6. Theoretical Physics is not a permitted option. 

However, these must be approved by the Course Director.

Please do not email Prof Mason directly. A webform will be provided during 0th week and you should complete it by the end of week 1. 

The Course Director will review your choices and the courses that you've selected from the curriculum to decide if your request is appropriate. Approvals will be confirmed no later than Friday week 4.

Please note, even if your request is approved, your place is dependent on there being room for you in the lectures and classes for the course. The MSc Course Administrator will liaise with the undergraduate team in Maths and the teaching administrator in Physics to ensure there is available space before confirming you can take this course. 

3. Teaching and Learning

Teaching for the course will be provided jointly by the Department of Physics and the Mathematical Institute through lectures and classes. 

You will be assigned an academic adviser from one or the other of these faculties, based on your areas of interest. Please note, this is separate to your college adviser.

Students undertaking a dissertation will have a separate dissertation supervisor with whom they will have supervision meetings. 

Course timetables can be found on the MMathPhys website:

3.1 Lectures and Course Materials

Lecture timetables can be found on the MMathPhys website: 

https://mmathphys.site.ox.ac.uk/course-schedule (available from 07 October 2026)

Please note that with the number of courses offered on this course, there will inevitably be clashes on the timetable. 

All lectures are recorded. So if you are not able to attend in person, you can watch these online at the associated platform below.

Course materials including lecture notes, recordings, reading lists and problem sheets are available on one of the two platforms listed below,  depending on which department manages the course. You will submit problem sheets and receive feedback on them at the same platforms. 

Physics: https://canvas.ox.ac.uk/courses/294961

The Physics department uses Canvas. Guides to Canvas can be found here: https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/guidance/canvas

Maths: https://courses.maths.ox.ac.uk/course/index.php?categoryid=931

The Mathematical Institute uses Moodle. Guides to Moodle can be found here: https://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/members/it/faqs/moodle-courses-system/students

3.2 Classes

The majority of lecture courses are accompanied by problem sets and weekly or fortnightly problem classes. These will be held in the same department that does the lecturing for the course. 

Classes are not mandatory but it is in your own best interest to attend and complete the problem sheets, especially if you intend to offer the course as one of your assessed units. Note that for Groups and Representations, you are assessed on both homework completion and the written invigilated exam.

If you wish to attend classes and receive feedback on submitted problem sheets, then you must officially sign-up to a class. 

If you wish to be assessed by homework completion, then you must officially sign-up for the class and submit the required problem sheets.

Enrolment

Note: This is not the same as enrolling for the exam – you must enrol for your exams in a separate process (see Chapter 4).

Physics Classes

Dates and times of Physics classes will be published on Canvas wherever possible, though not all lecturers choose to set up webpages. In which case, they will be on TMS (see below).

To sign-up officially for any Physics classes, you will need to log-in to the Teaching Management System (TMS) and enrol yourself for a class: https://tms.ox.ac.uk/

Log-in with your SSO. You will then see a list of the courses that you are eligible to register for. Clicking into these courses will provide you with a list of groups and class times which you can sign up for. 

Maths Classes

Dates and times of Maths classes can be found on Moodle. You also enrol in classes via Moodle.

Instructions can be found at the following link: https://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/members/it/faqs/moodle-courses-system/students/course-enrolment

Class enrolment will be available by the end of 1st week each term and you will be notified by the MSc Course Administrator when it opens.

Please note, if you are taking the Advanced Philosophy of Physics option, you will arrange tutorials directly with the course tutor and there will not be a separate class registration process. 

Withdrawal

Note: This is not the same as withdrawing from an examination or other assessment. To do that, you need to contact your college's academic office. 

You will have until Monday week 4 of each term to request a class switch or to withdraw from the class altogether. To do so, please contact your class tutor as well as the MSc Course Administrator.

It is important to withdraw from a class if you no longer wish to take it. If you do not withdraw from a class, then your college will be charged for your attendance. Furthermore, when you withdraw from a class, your tutor and teaching assistant will know not to expect you, and will not need to enquire any further or be concerned about your absence from classes.

3.3 Expectations of Study

You are responsible for your own academic progress. Therefore, in addition to the formal teaching you receive through lectures, classes and dissertation tutorials, you will be expected to undertake a significant amount of self-directed independent study, both during term time and in the vacations.

You should seek advice from your advisor if you find it impossible to complete your academic work without spending significantly longer than 48 hours per week on a regular basis.

There are a number of resources available to help develop your study skills: https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/guidance/skills

and especially at master's level: https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/guidance/skills/postgrad-taught-skills

Study Skills

Much of the advice and training in study skills will come in the regular class teaching you receive. A wide range of information and training materials are available to help you develop your academic skills – including time management, research and library skills, referencing, revision skill and academic writing – through the Oxford Student website:

 https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/guidance/skills. 

3.4 Academic Advsiors and Reporting

Your college will assign you a tutor and the Maths and Physics departments will choose an academic advisor for you. 

Advisors should be the first point of contact for students on all academic matters and are expected to monitor their student’s progress throughout the year. 

Advisors and students are expected to meet a minimum of two times in Michaelmas Term: once at the beginning of term and once at the end. In Hilary Term and Trinity Term, students will meet with their supervisors a minimum of once per term.

Advisors should make initial contact with their advisees to arrange further contact. After the initial meeting between student and advisor, the onus will be on the student to arrange further meetings.

Your academic progress will be monitored by your academic advisor and also your college tutor. College tutors will receive reports from the class tutors for the classes you attend. In addition, academic advisors of MSc students will submit termly reports on their student’s progress via the Graduate Supervision Recording (GSR). These reports are reviewed by the Course Director.

For MSc students, it is mandatory to complete a self-assessment report via GSR for every reporting period. You can access GSR via the following link: https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/selfservice. Students will be sent a GSR
automated email notification with details of how to log in at the start of each reporting window, and who to contact with queries.

• Completing the self-assessment will provide the opportunity to:
  Review and comment on your academic progress during the current reporting period
• Measure your progress against the timetable and requirements of your programme of study
• Identify skills developed and training undertaken or required
• List your engagement with the academic community
• Raise concerns or issues regarding your academic progress to your Academic Advisor
• Outline your plans for the next term (where applicable)

If you have any difficulty completing this you must speak to your Academic Advisor or the Course Director. Your self assessment report will be used by your Academic Advisor as a basis to complete a report on your performance this reporting period, for identifying areas where further work may be required, and for reviewing your progress against agreed timetables and plans for the term ahead. GSR will alert you by email when your Academic Advisor has completed your report and it is available for you to view. 

3.5 Working while Studying

The master's is a demanding course and it is not advised to take-up paid work during your studies. For international students on student visas there is a strict 20hr per week limit on paid work in term time. Please view the following University guidance for more information: https://academic.admin.ox.ac.uk/policies/paid-work-guidelines-graduate-students

Information on work experience, internship opportunities and careers services is available here: http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/life/experience. 

3.6 Further Learning Opportunities

University lectures in all subjects are open to all students. A consolidated lecture list is available on the University website at: http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/lectures/

Seminars and colloquia given in the Mathematical Institute and Physics Department, often by mathematicians and physicists of international repute, are announced on the departmental notice boards:

https://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/events/list

https://www.physics.ox.ac.uk/seminars-and-colloquia.

You are encouraged to attend any which interest you.

Key Teaching Links

4. Examinations and Assessments

All of the units you undertake will have either a component of formal assessment (written invigilated exam, take-home exam, mini-project or dissertation) or a homework completion option/requirement. Each unit will be assessed by the method most suited to the material being taught.

Both the course synopses and the examination conventions show which courses are assessed, by which method, and which courses have a homework completion option/requirement. 

For revision purposes, past papers for invigilated written examinations, take-home exams and mini-projects can be found here: 

https://mmathphys.site.ox.ac.uk/past-papers (available from 07 October 2026)

Exam Conventions

The examination conventions for the course are the formal record of the specific assessment standards for the course. They set out how each unit will be assessed and how the final degree classification will be derived from the marks obtained for the individual units. They include information on marking scales, marking and classification criteria, scaling of marks, formative feedback, re-sits, and penalties for late submission. 

This is the most important course document for you to familiarise yourself with. Please make sure to read it thoroughly and refer back to it whenever you have a query regarding exams and assessment. However, if there is a conflict between the information in the exam conventions and the University-wide Examination Regulations then you should follow the Examinations Regulations.

The examination conventions for 2025-26 can be found on the course website at http://mmathphys.physics. ox.ac.uk/. 

University-wide Examination Regulations: https://examregs.admin.ox.ac.uk/  

Examiners' Reports

4.1 Exam Entry

4.2 Invigilated Written Examinations

Written invigilated exams take place in the Examiniation Schools in 0th week Hilary, 0th week Trinity. Part C (4th year undergraduate) exams, and papers that share material with Part C exams take place between 6-8th week Trinity. 

The examination timetable for invigilated written examinations will be set by the Examination Schools and published a month prior to the exam period at: http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/exams/timetables. 

Candidates are required to wear sub fusc to written inviligated exams, unless they have a specific exam adjustment in place to excuse it. 

A guide to sub fusc requirements can be found here: https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/dress

Further information on required conduct for in-person examiniations is available here: https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/exams/completing-an-exam/in-person-exams

Please make sure to read it thoroughly. 

4.2.1 Exam Adjustments

Students may be entitled to exam adjustments such as taking in-person examiniations in college, having extra time, wearing noise cancelling headphones etc.

To apply for exam adjustments, you will need to contact your college office or disability advisor, who can advise on reasonable adjustments and what information you will need to provide to support an application for those adjustments to be considered. You must do this is as soon as possible after matriculation and before Friday of week 4 the term before your exams. 

Then, contact the Disability Advisory Service (DAS) to assess your requirements. They can provide a Student Support Plan, which may be used in evidence for an application for adjustments.

Provide evidence to your college office to support your request. Then your college office will submit an application for consideration on your behalf.

Approved adjustments will be notified to your college office and your course organiser/s. Your approved adjustments will be visible to you in self service and your individual exam timetable (when this is published).  Any issues should be raised with your college office as soon as possible.

For more information, see here: https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/exams/examination-adjustments

You can also apply for adjustments/alternative arrangements on the grounds of religious observance, for example if an exam is likely to take place during Ramadan or a religious holiday on which you are not allowed to work. You should apply for this through your college office, ideally before week 6 of Michaelmas term. Further gudiance is also available at: https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/exams/examination-adjustments

4.2.2 If you cannot attend your exam

If you can’t attend an exam due to ‘illness or other urgent cause that is unforeseeable, unavoidable and/or insurmountable’ you should ask your college to apply to the Proctor's for you to be excused, meaning that your absence does not impact your overall marks and degree classification at the end of the year.  Your college can apply up to 4 weeks before the date of the exam and within 14 days after.

For more information, see here: https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/exams/problems-completing-your-assessment

4.3 Mini-projects and take-home exams

4.4 Dissertations

You may offer a dissertation for one or two units. 

For a one-unit dissertation, you are expected to spend the equivalent time and effort on your dissertation as a 16-hour lecture course, including the associated private study, completion of problem sheets, and dedicated revision for examinations. For a two-unit dissertation, you are expected to spend the equivalent time and effort on your dissertation as a 32-hour lecture course, with the same considerations for associated work.

Please note, that if you choose to do a single-unit dissertation, you will be required to give an informal presentation to your supervisor and at least one other person as part of your supervision. 

Topics are available from Appendix A of this handbook. Please note, this list is not considered final until after the first meeting of the Joint Supervisory Committee for MMathPhys/MSc Mathematical and Theoretical Physics, around week 3 of Michaelmas term. 

You can also propose a topic of your own, in which case you must find an appopriate faculty member or research staff to supervise. You must make an intitial proposal to them and they will approve or help you make changes to the proposal where necessary. If they are unable to supervise you or feel your wrok is more suited to another member of staff, they may suggest someone else. 

All students wishing to take a dissertation must formally apply through the following link on the Maths website (make sure you are signed in with your SSO): https://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/form/webform-16642

The form will be open between week 4 - 6. The deadline to apply is Monday of Week 6 in Michaelmas term. 

More specific guidance is available on the course website:

https://mmathphys.site.ox.ac.uk/students (available from 07 October 2026)

The deadline for submission of the dissertation is 12 noon on Monday of week 6, Trinity term. Dissertations must be submitted electronically and instructions on the online submission process will be included in the notice to candidates. 

4.5 Extensions

If you are not able to submit a mini-project or your dissertation by the required deadline then you can request an extension. 

You can request two 7-day extensions over the course of the academic year by self-certification through Student Self-Service. These do not require any approval and will be granted automatically. You may not request two 7-day extensions for the same submission, that is, you cannot have a 14 day extension by self-certification. 

You can request these up to 2 weeks in advance of the deadline or 24 hours after the deadline. 

For any more extensions, or for an extension longer than 7 days, your college must make the request for you and these will be granted by the Proctors' Office. 

See here for more details: https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/exams/problems-completing-your-assessment

The maximum extension that can be granted for any piece of work is 12 weeks. If you are granted an extension of a month or longer for a piece of work in Trinity term, you should not book your graduation ceremony until you have received your results. 

If you submit an assessment after the deadline and do not have an approved extension, then marks will be deducted from your assessment as outlined in the Examination Conventions. 

If you were unable to submit on time due to 'illness or other urgent cause that was unforeseeable, unavoidable and insurmountable', you can contact your college to apply to have the late penalty removed. Your college must apply to the Proctors within 14 days of your deadline. It is not guaranteed that the Proctors will agree to remove the penalty. 

4.6 Homework completion

For a course with a homework completion option or requirement, the lecturer of the course will assign problem sheets to be completed. There may be between one to four problem sheets. 

Each submission will be marked by a teaching assistant (TA) based on solutions provided by the lecturer. Problem sheets will be graded using a letter system A/B/C for problems solved or attempted competently (A excellent, B good, C fair), and F for those problems which are not handed in or, if attempted, show insufficient understanding of the concepts taught in the lectures. The TA will record the mark of each problem and return the marked scripts as promptly as possible.

The homework requirement for a course will have been completed if 50% of each problem sheet assigned has a mark A/B/C. Otherwise the homework requirement will normally be judged to have not been completed. The Examiners will make the final determination as to whether or not each student has completed the homework requirement for any given unit. If you fail to submit any of the problem sheets for the course, you will fail, unless you have been granted an extension or excusal (see below).

Some of the courses will be accompanied by classes led by tutors in order to discuss the homework assignments. Please note, due to the short eight week teaching structure at Oxford, the teaching and homework schedules may not always align perfectly. Lecturers may sometimes assign problem sheets on topics that have not yet been covered in lectures. Students are expected to engage in self-study, referring to the lecture notes that are provided in advance and other reading material available. 

Late homework submission

Each homework will have a submission deadline after which submissions will not be accepted and an F will be automatically given.

If you cannot submit your homework on time due to acute illness or other urgent cause (see Annex J of the Examinations and Assessments Framework,) students should submit a formal request for an extension or excusal for that homework using this form: https://forms.office.com/e/Ka8efNgANC. 

Homework deadline extension requests are not permitted via Student Self-Service or direct contact with the tutor, TA, lecturer, Course Director, examiners or course administration. 

Where the extended deadline requested falls before the class at which the work will be discussed, the request will be considered by the lecturer of the course; where the extended deadline would fall after the class, or where an excusal is requested, the request will be considered by the Chair of Examiners.

4.8 Plagiarism

4.9 Use of AI

The department encourages the experimentation with, and confident use of, generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) tools. However, their usage must be declared in the same way that existing literature or available software has to be referenced adequately. You are not required to make a statement in your written reports explaining your use of AI, but you will be required to fill in a form when you submit these reports via Inspera so it is recommended you keep a note of your AI usage throughout the project. If you do not complete the AI form in sufficient detail, you will be asked to add further information after submission.

Make sure you read the policy for students on the use of generative AI in summatively assessed work which you can find at https://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/members/students/departmental-and-university-regulations.

The University has useful information on provision of Generative AI Tools to Support Learning. 

5. Services

5.1 Who is Responsible

Different parts of the university are resonsible for providing different support services and administrative support. Here is a brief summary of who to go to for what issue. 

Issues with Moodle, Canvas, TMS  -  Course Administrator (mmathphys@maths.ox.ac.uk)

General course information and administrative queries - Course Administrator (mmathphys@maths.ox.ac.uk)

Academic advice - Academic advisor or Course Director (lionel.mason@maths.ox.ac.uk)

Mitigating Circumstances - College

Extensions - College

Excusals and late penalty waivers - College

Exam entry change - College

Suspending your studies/return from suspension - Course Administrator (mmathphys@maths.ox.ac.uk)

Welfare - College welfare support. There is also the university counselling service: https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/welfare/counselling; counselling@admin.ox.ac.uk 

Diasbility support -

University’s Disability Advisory Service: http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/welfare/disability  

5.2 Student Representation and Feedback

Joint Supervisory Commitee

Students will be able to nominate two representatives (one MSc MTP student, one MMathPhys student) to sit on the Joint Supervisory Committee (JSC) which oversees the course. Volunteers will be sought at the Induction Session and an election held if necessary. The student representatives will be able to raise matters with the JSC on behalf of the cohort. 

Consultative Committee for Graduates – Mathematics 

The Consultative Committee for Graduates meets regularly once a term and discusses any matters that graduate students wish to raise. Students will be invited to nominate a representative to serve as an MSc rep on this committee via email in Michaelmas term.

The Physics Joint Consultative Committee 

The Physics Joint Consultative Committee (PJCC) has elected undergraduate members who meet twice in MT and HT, and once in TT to discuss both academic and administrative matters with academic staff representatives. See https://pjcc.physics.ox.ac.uk/ for more information. 

Divisional and University Representatives 

5.3 Complaints and Appeals

5.4 Careers Service

5.5 Volunteering Opportunities

Maths Outreach 

The Department has an active Outreach programme https://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/outreach which runs throughout the year, with events and programmes for school students aged 5-18. You can take a look at what’s currently happening on the website. Keep an eye out throughout the year for e-mails asking for volunteers for various events and other ways to get involved. Contact outreach@maths.ox.ac.uk if you would like to get involved. 

Physics Outreach

The Physics department similarly has an outreach programme with events for primary and secondary schools. See https://www.physics.ox.ac.uk/engage/schools for more information and email engage@physics.ox.ac.uk if you would like to get involved. 

5.6 Societies

There are number of Mathematics and Physics student societies which you may like to join. Details of the main societies are given below. In addition, there are also over 200 clubs and societies covering a wide range of interest which you may join or attend. A full list is available at http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/life/ clubs/list. 

Appendices

• Appendix 1 - Course Curriculum
• Appendix 2 - Specialized Pathways
• Appendix 3 - Dissertation Proposals

B - Course Calendar