Our Department:
Institute of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science
(IMS or IMSAS)
University Departments are grouped into Faculties. Our Department is one of six making up the
Faculty of Science, Technology and Medical Studies
[Computing, Electronic Engineering, Physical Sciences,
Biosciences, Medicine & Health Sciences]
Our responsibilities centre on teaching and research in
Mathematics
Actuarial Science
Statistics
Operational Research

Academic Staff –
Director -
Director of Studies -
Welfare Officer -
Prof Peter Fleischmann
Dr Eryl Bassett (E120)
Dr Barry Vowden (E226)
Department Administrator - Mr Richard Millns (E101)
All staff have offices in the Mathematical Institute
(a detailed list can be found on the stairwell)
IMS General Office - Room E101, first floor
More details on the department's website: http://www.kent.ac.uk/ims/

Students -
Wide range of degree programmes offered
Conventional 3-year degrees
Foundation Year
Degrees involving a year away (placement)
Short-term students
Overseas students on exchange programmes
One-year courses involving Graduate Diplomas
Postgraduate (MSc) courses in
Statistics
Actuarial Science
Research (MPhil and PhD students)

Teaching is organised on a modular basis
[Foundation Year]
Stage 1: first-year
Part II (Stages 2 and 3): subsequent years
Examinations – these take place each summer.
Degrees are awarded on Stage 2 and 3 examinations, and on achieving Credits for modules taken.
Unit system - 8 units per year

Most are single units, lasting one term
Module teams, convenor
Information about how a module is organised will be given to you as it starts
Attendance records are kept
Most modules are examined separately in the Trinity term
Many have a small amount of continuous assessment, some have more
Students need to gain a pass mark overall in all modules, to ensure they receive the appropriate credits

The University has adopted a credit system for all awards
Unit system 8 units per year
Credits 15 credits per unit
120 credits per year.
BSc degree – 360 credits (conventional 3-year degree)
480 credits (degree including placement year)
It is therefore essential that you work hard at each of your lecture courses and projects, so as to obtain all the credits you need.

Mathematical subjects are progressive
Important for you to keep up with work week by week
Attendance records: sanctions
No heavy hand: need for self-discipline
Need to ensure credits obtained for each module

[Extracts from the University’s Student Charter]

Each student has a personal tutor
Channel of communication and advice
Illness, problems - ensure your tutor is kept informed
Help in choosing optional components of degree programmes
References …
Requirement -
Students ‘sign in’ and ‘sign out’ at with their tutors at the start and end of each term

Organised by the Department –
Support sessions for individual modules
Advice in handbooks
Tutors - point of contact
Organised by the University -
University Library
Computing Service
Unit for enhancement of learning and teaching (UELT)
Student Learning Advisory Service

IMS Welfare Officer - Dr Vowden (E226)
The University's Student Guidance and Welfare Service

Quality issues -
Feedback, Complaints
Staff-Student Liaison Committee
Student Charter
Student handbooks
Timetables
UCAS days

Contacting lecturers, tutors and other staff email (addresses in your handbooks) in person during office hours telephone messages in General Office (E101)
Contacting you -
Mostly, using email
Pigeonholes: ground floor in Mathematical Institute
College pigeonholes

Academic terms this year are as follows:
Michaelmas Term (Weeks 1-12)
22 September 2003 – 12 December 2003
Lent Term (Weeks 13-24)
5 January 2004 – 26 March 2004
Trinity Term (Weeks 25-30)
26 April 2004 – 4 June 2004
We are now in Week 0 ...

Week 0, Thursday 18 September 2003
09.30
09.45
Talk by the Dean of STMS
Mrs Ursula Fuller
Rutherford Lecture Theatre 1
Introduction to the Department,
Professor Peter Fleischmann
Rutherford Lecture Theatre 1
12.00
Talk for Foundation Year Students
CNW Seminar Room 7

Week 0, Friday 19 September
10.30 - 11.00am Talk on Library Facilities
CORNWALLIS LECTURE THEATRE 1
11.15 - 11.45am Talk on Computing Facilities
CORNWALLIS LECTURE THEATRE 1
11.45 Appointments with Tutors (till about 12.30)
3.30 - 4.00pm Talk for students taking a language module*
CORNWALLIS LECTURE THEATRE 1
* Note: This meeting should only be attended by students taking a modern language module at Stage 1; i.e., students on programmes involving a year abroad or students opting for a modern language module in Stage 1.

Monday 22 September:
We find it useful to know how much you all know on arrival at
Kent. The test will be held in the Mathematics Lecture
Theatre (Undergraduate Laboratory) in the Mathematical
Institute.
Actuarial Science students:
All other students:
2.00 p.m.
3.00 p.m.
No calculators are needed. The test consists of 25 questions, and you write your answers in on a single sheet which we supply. The test lasts just under 1 hour.
Bring a pen!
We do NOT use this test as part of your assessment. It is
ONLY to help us pitch our teaching at the right level.

Monday, 9.00 a.m.:
Most modules comprise lectures together with support sessions described as classes, seminars or practicals.
Basic rule: The Department does not have any support sessions for a module before the first lecture on that module.

NEXT WEEK
Timetables
You will need to consult individual timetables, depending on your degree programme.
We hope to distribute timetables during this session. But only this term!
Example: [On Monday timetable, 11.00]
Type of session ---------LECTURE
Location (capacity) -----
Weeks --------------------
Module code -------------
ELT2 (114)
1-12
MA301
MODULE TITLE -------CALCULUS
Lecturer -----------------Ioannidou, Dr T

Tomorrow (Friday) 11.45
- Appointments with tutors
Monday 2.00 or 3.00
- Introductory test
Both are in the
Mathematical Institute
How to find us!