3. Introduction

This handbook contains important information about the MSc course in Mathematics and the Foundations of Computer Science. 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 below, together with a list of key contacts. 

3.1 Key Sources of Information 

Course website: http://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/members/students/postgraduate-courses/msc-mfocs.  

The course calendar and the online course handbook can all be found here. 

Mathematical Institute website: http://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/ 
Department of Computer Science website: http://www.cs.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: 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. The examination 
conventions can be found online at http://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/members/students/postgraduate-courses/msc
mfocs/information-current-students. 

Oxford Student website: http://www.ox.ac.uk/students. This website provides access to information, services and resources. 

University 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. 

College Handbook: The handbook for your college will be available on the college website. 

3.2 Key Contacts 

Course Director: Prof. Oliver Riordan oliver.riordan@maths.ox.ac.uk

MSc Course Administrators: 

Laura Auger mfocs@maths.ox.ac.uk (exams and assessments) 
Helena Gardner mfocs@maths.ox.ac.uk (on-course)

Deputy Head of Academic Administration – Maths: graduate.studies@maths.ox.ac.uk 

Head of Academic Administration – Maths: acadadmin@maths.ox.ac.uk 

Academic Administrator - Computer Science: Rachel Breward, rachel.breward@cs.ox.ac.uk 

Mathematical Institute Reception (tel: (2)73525) 

Department of Computer Science Reception (tel: (2)73838) 

As a graduate student you will have access to an MS Teams account. MS Teams and emails are the most common means of communication between students and staff.

3.3 The Academic Year

The course lasts three terms and each term lasts eight weeks, from the beginning of October to the end of the following June. The University functions throughout the year and as a graduate student you will need to work in vacation as well as in term time (apart from reasonable breaks).

Note in particular that you should expect to remain in Oxford after the end of each term to work on mini projects or your dissertation, and also that you should return before the beginning of each term to discuss your programme 
with your supervisor, and for meeting the Course Director. 

For the academic year 2025-2026, the course begins with an induction. The dates of the University Full Terms for the Academic Year 2025-2026 are:

MT = Michaelmas Term 2025: Sunday 12 October – Saturday 6 December 
HT = Hilary Term 2026: Sunday 18 January – Saturday 14 March 
TT = Trinity Term 2026: Sunday 26 April – Saturday 2 June

A calendar of important dates is given in Appendix A.  

3.4 Finding Your Way Around 

Teaching for the course will take place in the Andrew Wiles Building, The Mathematical Institute, situated in the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter (http://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/about-us/travel-maps) and the Wolfson Building, 
Department of Computer Science (http://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/aboutus/contact.html). 

A searchable, interactive map of all colleges, departments and libraries can be found at https://www.ox.ac.uk/visitors/map. 

Access to the Wolfson Building 
The Department of Computer Science is situated in the Wolfson Building, on the corner of Keble Road and Parks Road, with the main entrance on Parks Road. To access this building, you will need to have your University card 
activated. Please contact reception@cs.ox.ac.uk at the Department of Computer Science to arrange this.

Access to the Andrew Wiles Building 
An entry card system controls access to the building. Your University card, which you collect from your College at the beginning of term, will gain you access to the building and will operate the doors where they have security 
control. Instructions on how to activate your card will be made available to you at the Graduate induction. If your card fails to allow you access, please contact door-entry@maths.ox.ac.uk giving your name, card number and expiry date.

Rules governing access to the Mathematical Institute are as follows:

1. Cards are issued on a personal basis and must not be loaned or passed on to another person. 
2. No-one should allow access to another person. 
3. When a card is used to gain access to the building, the system keeps a record of that use for a period of approximately six months.