1. Introduction

1.7 Glossary

The University of Oxford and its colleges have a unique collection of jargon, and nicknames for things, compiled over the centuries, some of which you may not have come across if you are a new student, or even if you've been here several years!

A non-exhaustive list has been compiled at this link: https://www.ox.ac.uk/about/organisation/history/oxford-glossary

Other useful terms include:

Bodcard: An informal name for your student identification card and University library card, issued once you have signed and returned your university contract and delivered to 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: A number assigned to each student for the use of formal assessments and written examinations, which is usually available to students via student self-service after they have made their first exam entry. Candidate numbers are used instead of names to anonymise students during assessments. It is different from the student number. 

Classes: Each Part C and MTP lecture course is accompanied by a set of classes (called ‘intercollegiate classes’ if they are held at Maths Institute 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 departments two DGSs. 

Course: This is the colloquial term both for the degree programme you are taking and individual courses, such as Kinetic Theory or C2.1 Lie Algebras, where these might be referred to as modules in other universities. 

Examination Conventions: The Examination Conventions act as a supplement to the Examination Regulations. The Conventions explain how a student will be assessed for their course within the framework of the Examination Regulations. 

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

Formal Assessment: In the context of your degree, these are dissertations, mini-projects and take-Home Exams. 

GSR: Graduate Supervision Reporting. Supervisors will submit termly reports through GSR on their student’s academic progress. 

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

MCF: Masters in Mathematical and Computational Finance. A Master’s course run by the Mathematical Institute. 

MFoCS: Masters in Mathematics and Foundations of Computer Science. An MSc course run jointly by the Mathematical Institute and the Department of Computer Science. 

MMSC: Masters in Mathematical Modelling and Scientific Computing. An MSc course run at the Mathematical Institute. 

MPLS: Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division. 

MTP: The acronym for your degree, Mathematical and Theoretical Physics. 

OMMS: Oxford Master’s course in Mathematical Sciences. 

Part C: The term given to the fourth-year undergraduate students studying for an integrated Masters. Part C is used to describe the courses that are open to these students. 

PhysSoc: Oxford University Physics Society 

Practicals: In the context of your degree, this means the homework options you choose. This is what they are called in Student Self Service, when you enter for exams. 

Proctors: The two Proctors (Senior and Junior) are elected each year by colleges in rotation to serve for one year. The statutes provide that they shall generally ensure that the statutes, regulations, customs, and privileges of the University are observed. They serve on the University’s main committees, and where not members of committees, may receive their papers and attend meetings but not vote. They have responsibilities under the statutes and regulations for aspects of student discipline, for ensuring the proper conduct of examinations and for dealing with complaints. They also carry out ceremonial duties, e.g. at degree ceremonies. 

Student number: A number used to identify you as a student in day to day tasks, and can be used in conjunction with your name, unlike your candidate number. 

Student Self Service: Student Self Service allows a student to access their student record and complete other tasks such as examination entry, and viewing examination results.