An Coiste Feabhais Acadúil
The Committee on Academic Quality Improvement
The Academic Quality Assurance Programme 2007-2008
Report to Údarás na hOllscoile
Review of
Department of Mathematics
Self-Assessment
Review Group Visit
Follow Up Meeting
January/February 2008
19th – 21st February 2008
3rd July 2008
This Report was compiled for members of Údarás na hOllscoile, NUI Galway and its
committees as a readily accessible but comprehensive source of information on the above
review, its context and its outcomes.
Quality Office, 30 October, 2008
Report to Údarás – Review of Department of Mathematics 2007–2008
1. Overview of Department
1.1 Aims and Objectives of the Department
The Department of Mathematics is committed to the development and promotion of
mathematics both within the University, in the wider Irish community, and internationally. The
Department aims to do this through high quality research, publication, and mathematical
education and training at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Teaching & Learning
1. To prepare and deliver quality programmes and courses to undergraduate and
postgraduate students.
2. To provide students with a knowledge of the core areas of mathematics and statistics.
3. To provide options reflecting the wide scope of mathematics.
4. To match course content and delivery to the abilities and needs of different student
groups.
5. To improve students’ skills in logical and abstract thought.
6. To improve students’ skills in problem formulation, analysis, problem-solving and
communication.
7. To enhance the employability of graduates.
Research
8. To carry out research in mathematics and statistics, both fundamental and applied.
9. To encourage and support both individual and collaborative research projects.
10. To attract increasing numbers of high-quality postgraduate students and postdoctoral
researchers.
11. To create a vibrant research culture in the Department.
12. To secure increased levels of research funding, both nationally and internationally.
13. To enhance the standing and recognition of the Department’s research.
14. To foster research links both within the University, with other Universities, and with
industry.
Relation to the Wider Community
15. To promote mathematics and mathematical study, particularly within schools but also to
the general public.
16. To play an active role in the mathematical community both at national and international
levels.
Relation to the University
17. To contribute to the achievement of the strategic aims of the University.
18. To contribute to the academic and administrative life of the University.
19. To promote and represent mathematics and statistics in the University.
Staff Development
20. To support the career development of all academic and administrative staff.
21. To create an attractive, stimulating, and collegial work environment.
22. To operate in an open and fair manner in all staffing matters.
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Report to Údarás – Review of Department of Mathematics 2007–2008
1.2 Background
Mathematics as a discipline was included since the formation of the university in the mid 19th
century and has been a major Department ever since.
The Department provides full undergraduate degree programmes in Mathematics in both the
College of Science (4 year degree) and the College of Arts and Celtic Studies (3 year degree). It
also has a major interest in denominated degrees in Financial Mathematics and Economics and
in Computer Studies. At the Postgraduate level, there is a taught one-year MSc, MA, a one-year
Higher Diploma in Mathematics, and research degrees MSc/MLitt and PhD.
In research terms the core area of activity has been Algebra, particularly Group Theory, and
Galway has an international reputation in this area. However, individual research is active in
many other areas including analysis, geometry, topology, statistics, modelling, and numerical
analysis.
The Department is currently being merged into a School of Mathematics, Statistics and Applied
Mathematics together with the Department of Mathematical Physics as part of a general
restructuring at NUI Galway.
1.3 Progress since last review in 1995/96
The years since the last review have seen many changes in the Department, with new staff, new
courses and a great expansion in research activity. Recent years have also seen the retirement of
four senior members of staff and the consequent loss of their considerable experience – these
posts have all been replaced at junior levels and in one case by a contract lecturer. This has
resulted in a relatively young Department with a major decrease in the number of senior staff.
Problems identified in Last Review
Progress
TEACHING AND LEARNING
Rationalisation of programmes
Some simplifications have been achieved here but with
programmes available in Science and Arts and
denominated degrees the programme structure remains
complex.
Widening appeal of honours programmes
Numbers of students graduating in Arts have increased
substantially.
Provision of denominated degree geared to the financial A denominated degree in Financial Mathematics and
services sector.
Economics started in 1998.
RESEARCH
Expansion of graduate student numbers
New funding opportunities (IRCSET and SFI) have led
to increased numbers of research students.
OTHER
Improvement of the physical infrastructure of the
 The Department is still housed inadequately across
Department and provision of dedicated computing
various places on campus
facilities
 The Department has a laboratory for the use of the
CS programme.

There is no space for students to carry out project
work.
Provision of a formal mechanism to promote and handle
joint courses with other Departments
Denominated programmes have coordinating
committees with representatives from all involved
Departments
Developing the role of the Department in the teaching of
mathematics at the second level.

Mathematics Enrichment courses given on
Saturdays in Semester 2. Lead to the selection and
training for the Irish team for the International
Mathematical Olympiad

PRISM – Problem Solving for Second-level
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Report to Údarás – Review of Department of Mathematics 2007–2008
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Mathematicians. Contest started in 2006 and led by
two members of the Department with help from
UCD, UL and NUI Maynooth. Has run twice and
on each occasion attracted around 6000 participants
from schools across Ireland.

Career guidance visits at secondary schools

Planning of new programme in Mathematics and
Education (joint with Education Department) to
start in 2008.
1.4 Student numbers
The number of fulltime equivalent (FTE) students in the Department was 529.7 in the year
2006/07, representing a decrease of 7.4% in the three years since 2003/04.
1.5 Staff to Student ratio
In 2006/07, the number of fulltime equivalent (FTE) academic staff in the Department was 25.6,
giving a student: staff ratio of 20.8 in year ending 2007. This ratio was 22.9 in 2003/04.
1.6 Accommodation and Facilities
The academic offices of the Department are based in 5 different locations around the campus
and the Department feels there is insufficient daily contact between staff due to this dispersion.
The Department has access to one lecture room that can be used for seminars but there is no
meeting room. Postgraduate students share two open-plan offices in a prefabricated building.
Post-docs commonly share offices. Research students and postdoctoral researchers are generally
not housed in the same building as their supervisors. There is a computer laboratory for
undergraduate students, though no budget to its continuing maintenance, or direct technical
support.
2. Review Group Visit and Report
The final report arises from a visit by a Review Group to the Department of Mathematics on 19th -21st February
2008. The Department had already prepared and submitted a 'Self Assessment Report' that, with other
documentation, was made available to the Group in advance of the visit.
The Review Group consisted of: Professor Jürgen Berndt, Chair and Head of Department of Mathematics,
University College Cork (Chair); Professor Anthony J. Lawrance, Department of Statistics, University of Warwick;
Professor Edmund F. Robertson, School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St. Andrews; Dr. David
O’Sullivan, Department of Industrial Engineering, NUI Galway; Dr Maria Tuohy of the CFA (Rapporteur), and
Professor Annick Johnson, Managing Director of AVEPRO, Rome, (Observer).
2.1 Summary and Main Recommendations from Report
Summary
The achievements of the Department of Mathematics in recent years are remarkable. Just to
mention a few highlights; the quality of undergraduate education and students is very high, the
number of PhD students increased significantly, and the quality of research is excellent. There
are two external factors that have a significant negative impact on the further development of the
Department: accommodation and promotion. It should be a high priority of the University to
work with the Department towards a satisfactory resolution of these two problems. The main
internal factors requiring development by the Department are a published strategy for staffing,
teaching, research and other academic matters, and clarity of the programme descriptions in the
Report to Údarás – Review of Department of Mathematics 2007–2008
5
teaching portfolio of the Department. The Department should act soon on these matters taking
into account the new School structure.
Finally, it appears to the Review Group that the University does not fully understand and
appreciate the importance of the academic discipline of Mathematics in the context of its
strategic priorities. Mathematics is pervasive in many other academic disciplines and must be a
core discipline at any University aiming at international recognition. Research in Mathematics,
covering pure, applied and statistics, is a fundamental component of the research portfolio of
such a University. Research in Mathematics is performed either by individuals or in groups
which are very small compared to other disciplines. Research funding in Mathematics is of
much less importance than in many other science subjects, and mainly required to support PhD
students or postdoctoral fellows, and for organising and attending workshops and conferences.
International recognition and esteem in Mathematics is achieved by research of high quality, as
judged by external peers. The Department of Mathematics at NUI Galway has achieved this in
some fundamental areas of Mathematics, particularly in Algebra and Statistics. The De Brun
Centre for Computational Algebra is an excellent and potentially long-standing achievement.
NUI Galway should build on these achievements and provide an adequate environment for
research activities.
Main Recommendations
Aims & Objectives
1. The Review Group recommends that the present Department of Mathematics should
develop a strategic plan for teaching, research, staffing and other academic matters in the
context of the new School.
Organization and Management
2. The Review Group strongly recommends immediate steps by the University to correct
the appalling lack of good quality and consolidated accommodation facilities by
implementing both its proposed long-term and short-term solutions.
3. The Review Group recommends a revision of promotional criteria for staff in
Mathematics focused on research quality as mainly judged by external mathematical
evaluation rather than by volume, finance and scores, and urges a one-off correction to
repair the unsatisfactory current situation.
4. The Review Group recommends the recruitment of a full-time technical support officer
for the Department.
5. The Review Group recommends that the Department negotiate with University
Management to secure funds from earned research overheads generated by the De Brun
Centre to fund the essential administrative support required for the centre’s activities.
Programmes and Instruction
6. The Review Group recommends that the present Department of Mathematics adopt a
thorough review of undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes at Discipline
level aimed at relevance and delivery efficiency in the new School.
7. The Review Group recommends reduced tutorial size for courses with large numbers of
students.
8. The Review Group recommends improved and clearer student guidance on programme
selection.
9. The Review Group recommends the implementation of a formalized approach to student
feedback for all programmes and the creation of a staff-student committee.
Scholarship and Research
10. The Review Group urges the University to promote and develop the importance and role
of Mathematics in its strategic research plan.
Report to Údarás – Review of Department of Mathematics 2007–2008
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11. The Review Group recommends the appointment of two further Chairs in central areas
of Mathematics and Statistics in order to bring the discipline in line with international
proportions.
12. That the De Brun Centre be formally recognised by the University as a research unit.
3. Action Plans
The Department/Discipline of Mathematics
Follow Up Meeting
Thursday, 3rd July 2008
Room C219, Aras De Brun
Present: Professor Jim Gosling (Chair), Dr Maria Tuohy (Review Group), Dr David O’Sullivan
(Review Group), Professor Jurgen Berndt (Review Group), Professor Padraic O’Donoghue, Dr Ray
Ryan, Professor John Hinde, Professor Tom Sherry, Dr Michael Hayes, Dr John Burns, Dr Claas Rover,
Dr James Ward, Dr Graham Ellis, Dr Gerry Morgan, Dr Jerome Sheahan, Professor Ted Hurley,
Professor Michael Keane, Mr Keith Warnock, Professor Kevin Barry, Mr Micheal Kavanagh, Ms
Maureen Linnane (in attendance).
Action Plan for the Department:
1. The Department/Discipline will revise its aims and objectives and develop a new
strategic plan for teaching, research and other matters within the context of the new
School of Mathematics, Statistics and Applied Mathematics (MSAM) by January 2009.
This plan will take cognisance of the University’s strategic research priorities, will be realigned with the University’s new Strategic Plan as it develops. The plan will have as a
primary aim the wider recognition in the University of Mathematics as a foundation
science in both research and teaching.
2. With consultation within MSAM and with external programme coordinators as
necessary, and with a completion target for all elements of September 2009, the
Department will review all of its study programmes and courses to facilitate the
following objectives:
a. to rationalize/consolidate them in order to reduce duplication and overlaps, while
i. having all core courses within programmes of study fully ‘learning
outcome driven’,
ii. creating a standard, uniform format description for all courses,
iii. considering the structure of First Year options within the College of
Science and the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies,
iv. reviewing the provision of courses at Pass and Honours levels,
v. considering the appropriateness of each element of service teaching
provision;
b. to explore possibilities for innovative new taught post-graduate courses, possibly
in collaboration with other Schools;
Report to Údarás – Review of Department of Mathematics 2007–2008
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c. to reduce teaching loads to a level commensurate with current research activity
and future aspirations;
d. to offer modules as part of postgraduate training in other schools, on both
specialized and generic topics.
e. To develop new programme booklets for each student group that combine details
on courses with general information on mathematics at NUI Galway, career and
postgraduate opportunities, etc.
3. The Department will continue to see its role in service teaching to students in four of the
University’s five Colleges as central to its mission and will enter into dialogues with
deans, heads of school and programme coordinators as appropriate to review and reform
its provisions. The primary aim will be to ensure that content, level and teaching
methods provide the best possible student learning experiences. In parallel, and in the
context of MSAM, the roles of College service teaching representatives will be
reviewed.
4. The Department will support fully the systematisation of mechanism for student
feedback within the MSAM. This will include a range of mechanisms calculated to give
all students a voice through surveys and student-staff committees, and to ensure that
improvements happen when necessary, while avoiding ‘survey fatigue’.
5. The Department will further enhance training of postgraduate tutors to improve the
quality and consistency of its provision of tutorials and class support. The development
of a Mathematics Support Centre (as in place at all other Irish Universities) is a strategic
aim.
6. The Department, in the context of MSAM, will work in consultation with the VicePresident for Research to optimise the research elements of its new strategic plan, which
will:
a. seek all opportunities to enhance research interactions with other disciplines
across all Colleges, including potentially specific joint workshops to facilitate
mutual understanding;
b. identify additional professorial appointments (e.g. via the SFI Stokes scheme);
c. create a context that facilitates development of the de Brún Centre with essential
administrative support.
7. In the context of MSAM, the Department will:
a. actively support and facilitate the career development by individual staff and
support them in their promotion applications;
b. consult fully with its administrative staff to ensure a smooth transition to the new
school structure;
c. support plans by the new school to make technical support appointments, to
provide specialist IT support for the School’s developing programmes of teaching
and research;
d. evaluate its space requirements in the short and medium term to facilitate the
intended expansion of its research and teaching functions and to have adequate
space for specialist tutorials, meetings and seminars;
e. consider such activities as an internal open day, seminars for first and second year
undergraduate students and poster displays to promote their programmes and
Report to Údarás – Review of Department of Mathematics 2007–2008
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activities amongst the undergraduate and postgraduate student populations of the
University;
f. actively engage with students and teachers at second level to increase awareness
of the richness and variety of mathematics and of its degree programmes and
research;
g. give greater emphasis to promoting its activities in Galway, nationally, and
internationally. An Annual Report will be prepared showing activities, outputs
and generally publicizing the School and Department.
Action Plan for MSAM:
1. The School will act to implement the new school committee structure to support the
teaching, research and administrative plans identified above.
2. A formalized mechanism for student feedback will be established in the new School.
3. The School will formulate a strategic plan to include Mathematics, Statistics and Applied
Mathematics.
Action Plan for Colleges with which the Department is affiliated:
1. The Deans of the Colleges of ASS&CS and Engineering and Informatics will actively
support plans by the Department to review/rationalize their contributions to degree
programmes offered within the Colleges and to develop new degree programmes. Where
difficulties related to the coordination of service teaching arise, examples in other
universities will be examined to help arrive at solutions.
2. In the context of the overall budgets available, the College of Science is fully in favour
of full and appropriate administrative and technical support for the School of MSAM and
disciplines within that School.
Action Plan for the University Management:
1. The Registrar invites the Mathematics Department to make an input into the revision of
promotional criteria when the University revises its processes. These criteria are
reviewed every 4 years.
2. The University will seek to appoint additional Chairs in Mathematics and Statistics using
whatever funding opportunities that may become available
3. The De Brun Centre will be formally recognised by the University as a research unit and
a link from the relevant University website to the excellent website of the De Brun
Centre will be established. The De Brun Centre, funded by the Science Foundation of
Ireland, will be promoted to the general public by the University and not only by the
Department of Mathematics.
4. In order to ensure the effective operation of the Department and MSAM, the Vice
President for Physical Resources and the Buildings Office will prepare a plan to bring
accommodation for Mathematics and MSAM as a whole to acceptable University
standards, in a single building so far as feasible. This will involve adequate provision of
space for staff and students, and for teaching and research activities, and will have a
working timetable for its delivery.
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Report to Údarás – Review of Department of Mathematics 2007–2008
Note: At the end of the Follow Up Meeting, Mathematics staff asked that it be recorded that
they are extremely unhappy with the present accommodation of the Department and were
not fully reassured by the discussions at the meeting in relation to plans to improve the
situation.
Approved by:
Approved by:
Approved by:
Approved by:
Approved by:
Approved by:
Approved by:
Approved by:
Approved by:
Approved by:
Approved by:
Head of Department, Professor John Hinde, 18 August 2008
Head of School of MSAM, Dr Ray Ryan, 18 August 2008
Registrar, Professor Jim Ward, 29 October 2008
Dean of Science, Dr Gerry Morgan, 8 October 2008
Dean of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies, Prof Kevin Barry, 28 October 2008
Dean of Engineering & Informatics, Prof Padraic O’Donoghue, 17 September 2008
Interim Head of School of Business and Economics, Professor Michael Keane,
18 September 2008
Vice President for Research, Professor Terry Smith, 16 September 2008
Vice President for Physical Resources, Mr Keith Warnock, 22 September 2008
Director of CELT, Dr. Iain MacLabhrainn, 9 September 2008
Director of Human Resources, Mr Chris McNairney, 1 October 2008
Director of Quality,
Finalised: 29th October 2008