Mathematics (Mathematical Biology)

Mathematics plays an important role in many aspects of modern life, providing the techniques and language to handle problems from a wide variety of disciplines. It has always been essential for engineering and the physical sciences and is becoming increasingly important in the life sciences and social sciences. Mathematicians, in collaboration with specialists from other fields, are making major contributions to understanding and overcoming the challenges that society faces in the 21st century. Within this 4-year degree programme, you will not only study the wide range of mathematical topics covered in a standard mathematics degree, including mathematical methods, pure mathematics, applied mathematics, and probability and statistics, but will also see how mathematics is used to model and understand the behaviour of complex biological systems and to develop new biotechnologies.

The programme is intended to:

a) provide a high quality mathematical education comprising a balanced core of key knowledge and the opportunity to study a range of selected topics in more depth, some at an advanced level;

b) lay the foundations needed for those intending to become professional or research mathematicians or research scientists by exploiting group style work and research in applying mathematics in a context of high impact science;

c) develop the analytical and mathematical modelling abilities of students so that they can identify and apply appropriate mathematical techniques and methods to solve problems in a range of application areas and tailor their mathematical knowledge towards applications in high impact science;

d) develop in students appropriate subject-specific, core academic and personal and key skills in order to prepare them for a wide range of employment opportunities including a research career in mathematics or applications of mathematics to high impact science;

e) generate in students an enthusiasm for the subject of mathematics and its modern applications and involve them in a demanding, interesting and intellectually stimulating, multi-faceted learning experience reinforced by appropriate academic and pastoral tutorial support.
 

Your Mathematics (Mathematical Biology) programme is a (4) year programme of study at National Qualification Framework (NQF) level (7) (as confirmed against the FHEQ). This programme is divided into (4) ‘Stages’. Each Stage is normally equivalent to an academic year.  The programme is also divided into units of study called ‘modules’ which are assigned a number of ‘credits’. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload, with 1 credit being nominally equivalent to 10 hours of work.

Interim Awards

If you do not complete the programme you may be able to exit with a lower qualification. If you have achieved 120 credits, you may be awarded a Certificate of Higher Education in Mathematical Biology and if you achieve 240 credits, where at least 90 credits are at level 2 or above, you may be awarded a Diploma of Higher Education in Mathematical Biology.

The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme. Details of the modules currently offered may be obtained from the College web site

You may take Option Modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module. Descriptions of the individual modules are given in full on the College web site

https://intranet.exeter.ac.uk/emps/
 

Credit

The programme consists of 480 credits with 120 credits taken at each stage. Normally not more than 75 credits would be allowed in any one term. In total, participants normally take no more than 150 credits at level 4, and must take at least 210 credits at level 6 or higher of which at least 120 must be at level 7.

The pass mark for award of credit in an individual module is 40% for modules taken at NQF Levels 4, 5 and 6 and 50% for modules taken at Level 7.

Progression

Condonement is the process that allows you to be awarded credit (and so progress to the next stage or, in the final stage, receive an award), despite failing to achieve a pass mark at a first attempt. You are not entitled to reassessment in condoned credit.

Up to 30 credits of failure can be condoned in a stage on the following conditions:

You must have registered for and participated in modules amounting to at least 120 credits in the stage.

You must pass the modules marked with a 'Yes' in the 'non-condonable' column in the tables above.

In stages 1-3 you must achieve an average mark of at least 40% across the full 120 credits of assessment, including any failed and condoned modules. In the final stage you must achieve an average mark of at least 50% across the full 120 credits of assessment, including any failed and condoned modules.

Assessment and Awards

If you have achieved 120 credits, you may be awarded a Certificate of Higher Education in Mathematics. If you achieve 240 credits, where at least 90 credits are at NQF Level 5 or above, you may be awarded a Diploma of Higher Education in Mathematics. If you achieve 300 credits, where at least 60 credits are at NQF level 6 or above, you may be awarded a Bachelor of Science (Ordinary). If you achieve 360 credits, where at least 90 credits are at NQF Level 6 or above, you may be awarded a Bachelor of Science with Honours.

Assessment at stage one does not contribute to the summative classification of the award. The award will normally be based on the degree mark formed from the credit-weighted average marks for stages 2 and 3 and 4  combined in the ratio 2:3:4 respectively.

Classification

Full details of assessment regulations for UG programmes  can be found in the Teaching Quality Assurance Manual (TQA) on the University of Exeter website.  Generic marking criteria are also published here.

Please see the Teaching and Quality Assurance Manual for further guidance.

In accordance with University policy a system of personal tutors is in place for all students on this programme.  A University-wide statement on such provision is included in the University's TQA Manual.  As a student enrolled on this programme you will receive the personal and academic support of the Programme Coordinator and will have regular scheduled meetings with your Personal Tutor; you may request additional meetings as and when required. The role of personal tutors is to provide you with advice and support for the duration of the programme and extends to providing you with details of how to obtain support and guidance on personal difficulties such as accommodation, financial difficulties and sickness. You can also make an appointment to see individual teaching staff.

Information Technology (IT) Services provide a wide range of services throughout the Exeter campuses including open access computer rooms, some of which are available 24 hours, 7 days a week.  Help may be obtained through the Helpdesk, and most study bedrooms in halls and flats are linked to the University's campus network.

Additionally, the College has its own dedicated IT support staff, helpdesk and computer facilities which are linked to the wider network, but which also provide access to some specialised software packages.  Email is an important channel of communication between staff and students in the College and an extensive range of web-based information (see https://intranet.exeter.ac.uk/emps/ ) is maintained for the use of students, including a comprehensive and annually revised student handbook.

The Harrison Learning Resource Centre is generally open during building open hours. The Centre is available for quiet study, with four separate rooms that can be booked for meetings and group work. Amongst its facilities, the Learning Resource Centre has a number of desks, four meeting rooms with large LCD screens, and free use of a photocopier. Also available are core set texts from your module reading lists, and undergraduate and MSc projects from the past two years.

Online Module study resources provide materials for modules that you are registered for, in addition to some useful subject and IT resources. Generic study support resources, library and research skills, past exam papers, and the 'Academic Honesty and Plagiarism' module are also available through the student portal (http://vle.exeter.ac.uk)

Student/Staff Liaison Committee enables students & staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision.
 

All applications are considered individually on merit. The University is committed to an equal opportunities policy with respect to gender, age, race, sexual orientation and/or disability when dealing with applications. It is also committed to widening access to higher education to students from a diverse range of backgrounds and experience.

Candidates must satisfy the general admissions requirements of the University of Exeter.

Applicants are normally invited to attend Post Offer Open Days, which provide the opportunity to talk with and question members of the academic staff.
Candidates must satisfy the entrance requirements for this programme. These are published in full in the University of Exeter Undergraduate Prospectus (see http://www.ex.ac.uk/undergraduate/). In addition to candidates offering GCE AS and A2, those offering International Baccalaureate and appropriate VCE A-levels will also be considered, as well as mature candidates with evidence of appropriate alternative qualifications. Direct entry to Stage 2 of the programmes will also be considered for candidates who have successfully completed study equivalent to the core material in the first stage of the programmes.

Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.

The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice.  See the University's TQA Manual for details.