MT5590 Independent Study Module

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Available only to students on an MMath, MPhys or MSc degree programme in the School

Planned timetable

Weekly supervision as arranged with supervisor.

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module Staff

Team taught

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

<p>This module provides the opportunity for a student to study an Advanced topic as a reading course under the supervision of a member of staff. The topic will be disjoint from that of other taught modules, broadening the selection of advanced material available. Students will meet regularly with their supervisor and follow a planned programme of independent study, with associated assessment, as specified in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/assets/university/schools/school-of-mathematics-and-statistics/documents/staff-students/honours-projects/MT5590%20letter%20of%20agreement.docx">Letter of Agreement</a>.</p>

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

THE STUDENT REQUIRES A LETTER OF AGREEMENT

Anti-requisites

YOU CANNOT TAKE THIS MODULE IF YOU TAKE MT5990

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Oral examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

Typically 1 hour supervision each week.

Scheduled learning hours

11

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

139

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of an advanced area of mathematics/statistics
  • Construct and evaluate logical arguments in the areas of advanced study
  • Present mathematics/statistics in the area of advanced study in an appropriate manner
  • Demonstrate competence in independent learning and time management

Additional information from school

Before enrolling on this module you must complete a Letter of Agreement. Once signed by the student, supervisor and moderator, this must be returned to the Director of Teaching and the Director of Postgraduate Taught (MSc students).
 
The Independent Study Module is a specialised module for students who are excelling in study at an advanced level (typically final year MMath/MPhys students or MSc students) and where alternative modules in the School are less appropriate as part of the overall balance in their degree programme. It may be suitable if you are particularly interested in an area of mathematics/statistics that is not part of our main module offering but essential for future studies (e.g. an MSc or PhD), or there is a good reason why you have not been able to take a taught module in the area.

It is the responsibility of each individual student to arrange a supervisor in the module. A first step is to speak with staff who work in the relevant area and seeing if any have availability, before (should discussions evolve positively) narrowing things down further via the Letter of Agreement. Advisers of Study or the Director of Teaching (for undergraduate students)/Director of Postgraduate Taught (for postgraduate students) can provide general advice about which staff have relevant expertise in a particular subject area.

MT5590 Independent Study Module

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Available only to students on an MMath, MPhys or MSc degree programme in the School

Planned timetable

Weekly supervision as arranged with supervisor.

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module Staff

Team taught

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

<p>This module provides the opportunity for a student to study an Advanced topic as a reading course under the supervision of a member of staff. The topic will be disjoint from that of other taught modules, broadening the selection of advanced material available. Students will meet regularly with their supervisor and follow a planned programme of independent study, with associated assessment, as specified in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/assets/university/schools/school-of-mathematics-and-statistics/documents/staff-students/honours-projects/MT5590%20letter%20of%20agreement.docx">Letter of Agreement</a>.</p>

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

THE STUDENT REQUIRES A LETTER OF AGREEMENT

Anti-requisites

YOU CANNOT TAKE THIS MODULE IF YOU TAKE MT5990

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Oral examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

Typically 1 hour supervision each week.

Scheduled learning hours

11

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

139

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of an advanced area of mathematics/statistics
  • Construct and evaluate logical arguments in the areas of advanced study
  • Present mathematics/statistics in the area of advanced study in an appropriate manner
  • Demonstrate competence in independent learning and time management

Additional information from school

Before enrolling on this module you must complete a Letter of Agreement. Once signed by the student, supervisor and moderator, this must be returned to the Director of Teaching and the Director of Postgraduate Taught (MSc students).
 
The Independent Study Module is a specialised module for students who are excelling in study at an advanced level (typically final year MMath/MPhys students or MSc students) and where alternative modules in the School are less appropriate as part of the overall balance in their degree programme. It may be suitable if you are particularly interested in an area of mathematics/statistics that is not part of our main module offering but essential for future studies (e.g. an MSc or PhD), or there is a good reason why you have not been able to take a taught module in the area.

It is the responsibility of each individual student to arrange a supervisor in the module. A first step is to speak with staff who work in the relevant area and seeing if any have availability, before (should discussions evolve positively) narrowing things down further via the Letter of Agreement. Advisers of Study or the Director of Teaching (for undergraduate students)/Director of Postgraduate Taught (for postgraduate students) can provide general advice about which staff have relevant expertise in a particular subject area.