1. Foreword

1.1 Statement of Coverage

This handbook applies to students starting the M.Sc. in Mathematical Modelling and Scientific Computing in Michaelmas Term 2025. The information in this handbook may be different for students starting in other years.

1.2 Disclaimer

The Examination Regulations relating to this course are available at https://examregs.admin.ox.ac.uk/Regulation?code=mosbcimmandsciecomp&srchYear=2025&srchTerm=1&year=2025&term=1. If there is conflict between information in this handbook and the Examination Regulations then you should follow the Examination Regulations. If you have any concerns please contact the Course Director at the Mathematical Institute, Dr Kathryn Gillow, email kathryn.gillow@maths.ox.ac.uk.

The information in this handbook is accurate as of 22nd September 2025, however, it may be necessary for changes to be made in certain circumstances, as explained on the University’s changes to courses webpage. If such changes are made, the department will publish a new version of this handbook together with a list of the changes and all students will be informed.

1.3 The Handbook

The purpose of this handbook is to provide you with information about the way the M.Sc. in Mathematical Modelling and Scientific Computing is taught and assessed and the options you can take. It also provides some practical information about the department. If there are any questions you still have, please ask someone. Your supervisor, the Course Director and the Course Administrator will be happy to help.

1.4 Useful Links

The course webpage is at https://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/members/students/postgraduate-courses/msc-mmsc and contains details of the lecture courses, as well as termly timetables, a diary of important events for the academic year and the examination conventions.

The Proctors’ and Assessor’s Memorandum is the document relating to the rules and the statutes of the University which you are expected to follow. This can be found in the University Student Handbook.

The Oxford students' website provides access to information, services and resources to help you get the most out of your university experience.

Finally, your college will have a handbook giving information about your college and how it operates. You should receive a copy of this, but you should also be able to find it on your college website.

1.5 Departmental Contacts

Useful departmental contact details are:

1.6 Building Location, Maps and Access

The postal address of the department is:

Mathematical Institute
University of Oxford
Andrew Wiles Building
Radcliffe Observatory Quarter
Woodstock Road
Oxford
OX2 6GG

Maps of Oxford, and in particular a map showing the location of the Mathematical Institute, can be found at https://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/about-us/travel-maps. You should expect all lectures and classes to take place in the Mathematical Institute in the teaching space on the mezzanine level.

The building has been designed with accessibility in mind. More details of the disability policy and the access guide are given at https://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/members/building-information/accessibility.

1.7 The Academic Year

The course lasts almost twelve months, from the beginning of October to the end of the following September. Although the lecture courses are given during the three University terms, the examinations will take place during the weeks immediately preceding both Hilary and Trinity terms. Additionally, much other work is carried out in the vacations, and you should expect to spend most of the year in Oxford. There will be no time for long holidays.

For the academic year 2025-2026, the course will begin with a week of introductory material based at the Mathematical Institute, beginning on Monday 6th October 2025.

The dates of the University Full Terms for the Academic Year 2025–2026 are:
MT = Michaelmas Term 2025: Sunday 12th October – Saturday 6th December
HT = Hilary Term 2026: Sunday 18th January – Saturday 14th March
TT = Trinity Term 2026: Sunday 26th April – Saturday 20th June

You are expected to live in Oxford during term time in accordance with the University’s residency requirement.

Further important dates for the academic year are given in the Diary of Important Events.

1.8 Role of the College

On arrival in Oxford you will be assigned a College Advisor who will be an academic member of your college, normally a fellow. The role of the College Advisor is additional and complementary to that provided in the Mathematical Institute. The College Advisor is not expected to perform the role of the Department or Faculty Supervisor, or to be responsible for directing your academic work. Rather, the intention is to provide a focal point for your relationship with the College, and general academic or pastoral advice and assistance throughout the your course of study. Beyond this, however, the college has no role in the teaching of the course (although the mathematics tutors from your college may be involved in the teaching of the course in the department).