Teaching

MPhil

During the first year of the programme, students will undertake the MPhil in Scientific Computing, a 12-month full-time Master’s Degree which has a taught and a research element which carry equal examination credit. The taught element comprises core lecture modules on topics of scientific computing and elective modules relevant to the science or technology topic of the research project, while the research element is a project on a science or technology topic which is studied by means of scientific computation.

The taught element of the MPhil comprises core and elective lecture modules. The core lecture modules are on topics of high performance scientific computing and advanced numerical methods and techniques. These are lectured and examined by means of written examinations and written assignments during the first five months (October-March) of the course. Their purpose is to provide the students with essential background knowledge for completing their research projects and for their general education in scientific computing.

Appropriate elective lecture courses may be selected from Master’s-level courses offered by the Departments of the School of Physical Sciences or Technology. The choice of courses will be such as to provide the students with essential background knowledge for completing their research projects and for their general education in the science/technology application of the project. They are decided in consultation with the MPhil course Director.

The research element aims to provide essential skills for successful completion of the PhD, as well as to assess and enhance students' research capacity. The research project will be on a science or technology topic which is studied by means of scientific computation. A list of projects will be provided by the beginning of March. Many of these will be supervised by the teaching staff of the course, but members of the Departments of the Schools of Physical Sciences and Technology will also be involved. Project work should begin after the submission of the written assignments.

PhD
The PhD project is research only. The CDT may provide opportunities for further training in years 2-4 via the development of skills in responsible research and innovation (RRI), workshops on software commercialisation and intellectual property, equality and diversity, and events linked with other programmes such as hack-a-thons and University Away Days.

Placements

Students whose projects are industrially funded will have the opportunity to participate in an industrial internship programme during their PhD. These activities are highly valuable since they give students an opportunity to experience a commercial operating environment, develop some of their own industrial contacts, and potentially secure immediate employment post-PhD. 

Feedback

MPhil

Feedback on the student’s performance on their examination and on the written assignment results is provided by the course director; feedback on their research project progress is provided by their research project supervisor. Students receive written termly progress reports.

PhD

In the doctoral stage, supervisors report termly on the progress of their students and these reports are made available to each student.

Postgraduate students are represented on the Department's Postgraduate Student Consultative Committee, which normally meets five times a year, and consists of one or more student representatives from each of the research groups. The committee exists to enable discussion of any issues affecting postgraduate studies and students may approach any member of the committee to suggest items for discussion.

Assessment

Thesis / Dissertation

PhD

The final PhD assessment will be of a submitted thesis and subsequent viva voce examination. The length and format of the thesis will be determined by the requirements of the department in which the student is registered for the PhD.

Depending on the department in which the student is registered, at the end of their second year (the first year of the PhD programme), students may have to submit a report describing their progress. This will be examined by two academics not directly associated with the project, who will make a recommendation to the Degree Committee about whether the student should be allowed to continue with the PhD.

Written examination

MPhil

The taught element of the MPhil in Scientific Computing is partially examined by means of three unseen written examination papers worth 25 per cent of the total assessment portfolio. Students will be expected to take all of the written examination papers from the ones offered by the MPhil in Scientific Computing.

Other

MPhil

The taught element of the MPhil in Scientific Computing is partially examined by means of two written assignments worth 25 per cent of the total assessment portfolio. The written assignments will be in an area related to the research project of the student. The objective of the assignments is to provide the student with suitable background training on the underlying numerical methods and techniques which are necessary to complete the research project.

The research project of the MPhil in Scientific Computing is assessed by means of two 7500-word (max) reports, each worth 25 per cent of the total assessment portfolio (i.e. 50 per cent in total). The details of the requirements for each report shall be approved by the Degree Committee. The submission dates for the reports will be in June and August. A viva voce examination on the project reports will take place between late August and early September.