UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Confirmation that this version of the module specification has been approved by the School
Learning and Teaching Committee:
…1st May 2015…..…………………….(date)
SECTION 1: MODULE SPECIFICATION
1.
Title of the module: Project on Financial Mathematics (MA598)
2.
School or partner institution which will be responsible for management of the module
School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science
3.
Start date of the module: September 2015
4.
The number of students expected to take the module: 40 (2015/16)
5.
Modules to be withdrawn on the introduction of this proposed module and consultation with other
relevant Schools and Faculties regarding the withdrawal
None
6.
The level of the module (e.g. Certificate [C], Intermediate [I], Honours [H] or Postgraduate [M]): H
7.
The number of credits and the ECTS value which the module represents: 15 (ECTS 7.5)
8.
Which term(s) the module is to be taught in (or other teaching pattern): Autumn Term and Spring
Term
9.
Prerequisite and co-requisite modules:
Prerequisites: MA517 Corporate Finance for Financial Mathematicians; MA518 Probability and
Measure Theory; MA535 Portfolio Theory and Asset Pricing Models.
There are no co-requisite modules.
10. The programmes of study to which the module contributes
BSc (Hons) Financial Mathematics (including programme with a year in industry)
11. The intended subject specific learning outcomes
Depending on the particular topics offered and written up by the student, on successful completion of
this module, students will:
a) have appreciated an area of financial mathematics in more depth than in taught courses by
carrying out investigations;
b) have developed skills in mathematical computation relevant to the topic;
c) be able to draw conclusions from statistical data, mathematical calculations and/or computer
output;
d) have a reasonable ability to apply mathematical concepts and statistical techniques in a
particular context;
e) have written a reasonably coherent account of an area of financial mathematics;
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UNIVERSITY OF KENT
f)
have performed computations that show their understanding of the techniques relevant to the
topic;
g) have improved their ability in mathematical and statistical modelling of particular problems
12. The intended generic learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students will have:
a) improved communication skills;
b) enhanced intellectual independence;
c) relevant computing skills;
d) improved problem solving skills;
e) improved skills in time management, working with others, organisation and studying so that
tasks can be planned and implemented at a professional level.
13. A synopsis of the curriculum
Students attend Key Skills workshops covering communication, use of sources and working as a
team. They will be assigned to a small group (of the order of 4-6 students) to work on a project
topic relating to one of the pre-requisite modules or another related topic in Financial
Mathematics. Each MA598 project is supervised by a member of staff. The groups will meet
regularly and will decide on their organisation and are advised to make arrangements to minute
their meetings. There will be three one hour meetings with the project supervisor to provide
guidance and assess progress.
14. Indicative Reading List
Texts depend on the projects offered. For the Key Skills component:
A Primer of Mathematical Writing, Stephen G. Krantz, A.M.S., 1997.
How to think like a mathematician: a companion to undergraduate mathematics, Kevin Houston,
C.U.P., 2009.
Science Research Writing for Non-Native Speakers of English, Hilary Glasman-Deal, Imperial
College Press, 2009.
15. Learning and Teaching Methods, including the nature and number of contact hours and the total
study hours which will be expected of students, and how these relate to achievement of the intended
module learning outcomes.
The main intention of this module is to develop skills in communication, independent study and
organisation.
The module has six hours of Key Skills workshops covering communication, use of sources and
working as a team, three one-hour meetings of the group with the project supervisor, and regular
meetings of the project group.
No of contact hours: 9 (workshops/group meeting with supervisor)
Independent study hours: 141 (including group meetings without the supervisor)
Total study hours: 150
By working on the project task, guided by the Key Skills workshops and feedback from the
supervisor, the students will achieve learning outcomes 11(a)-(g) and 12(a)-(e).
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UNIVERSITY OF KENT
16. Assessment methods and how these relate to testing achievement of the intended module learning
outcomes
The module is assessed on the basis of the project work submitted (50%), coursework related to the
project (25%), and coursework related to the Key Skills component (25%). There is no written
examination for this module.
Project work: the group will work together on two separate projects.
The preliminary project (worth 5% of the total module mark) will involve the group working together
on a relatively simple task requiring teamwork, and production of a short report.
This preliminary project will take place within the first two weeks of term.
The main project (worth 45% of the total module mark) will involve the group working together under
the guidance of the project supervisor, to produce a single written project. Typically the project might
be 6,500 to 10,000 words in length. In addition, each individual student will submit a short report
detailing his/her contribution to the group project and reflections on the project. The project is
undertaken and assessed on a group basis. To be awarded the marks for the project component, the
student is required to make a reasonable contribution to the project, as evidenced by the student’s
individual reflections on the project and the notes from the group meeting (both those with and
without the supervisor) which the group maintains on moodle and which list the attendees at each
group meeting.
Coursework related to the Key Skills component will consist of a writing task completed by students
outside contact hours. This tests learning outcomes 11(e) and 12(a).
Coursework related to the project test will consist of exercises completed by students under
examination conditions, including, where appropriate, computer-based tasks, to test their
understanding of the project topic. This tests learning outcomes 11(a)-(g).
The coursework related to the project tests the learning outcomes 11(a)-(g) and 12(a)-(d).
The project work tests all the learning outcomes 11(a)-(g) and 12(a)-(e).
17. Implications for learning resources, including staff, library, IT and space
The module has been designed as a dedicated module for the BSc in Financial Mathematics. For
these students, it will replace the 30-credit project module MA599. It is a smaller and more tailored
project module than MA599. No extra resources will be required for this module.
18. The School recognises and has embedded the expectations of current disability equality legislation,
and supports students with a declared disability or special educational need in its teaching. Within
this module we will make reasonable adjustments wherever necessary, including additional or
substitute materials, teaching modes or assessment methods for students who have declared and
discussed their learning support needs. Arrangements for students with declared disabilities will be
made on an individual basis, in consultation with the University’s disability/dyslexia support service,
and specialist support will be provided where needed.
19. Campus where module will be delivered: Canterbury
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