Warwick PhD Maths (overview)

June 25, 2013

Contents
1 PhD Year 1 2
1.1 Project outline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.2 Taught courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.3 Transferable skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.4 Progress report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.5 Progression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2 PhD Year 2 4
2.1 Progress report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.2 Progression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3 PhD Years 3 & 4 5
3.1 Draft thesis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3.2 Progression . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
4 Year 4 6
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The following document is a compilation of information available at http://
www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/maths/postgrad/current/courseinfo/phd_studies/
year1
1 PhD Year 1
Overview of the rst year:
Take taught modules
Attend seminars, workshops
Take professional skills classes
Initial project outline
Start o as an MPhil student, upgrade to PhD after cca 9 monthssubject to
satisfactory progress.
1.1 Project outline
This has to be done whithin the rst few weeks (signed by student & supervisor,
returned to Postgraduate Coordinator by the end of week 4) of the rst year
with the help of my supervisor. The project outline should include:
Initial research/PhD project outlineoften very general. It is possible to
deviate from this outline later.
Taught courses (3 modules), not directly related to my PhD topic. Su-
pervisor may require me to take additional courses. Registration for the
Term 1 courses is by the end of week 3, courses start in week 1 though.
Introductory reading list. Texts (papers, books, articles) given by super-
visor to increase my understanding of the eld.
List of seminars/workshops/conferences that I want to attend. Attendence
at the Friday Colloquia (sta & students), and Postgraduate Seminar
(students) is expected. Specic research group seminars (Combinatorics
seminar)also expected to attend.
Other tasks and milestones. Such as work on a specic problem, improving
techniques, attending transfarable skills seminars, etc.
Standard form to capture the above info can be downloaded here: http://www2.
warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/maths/postgrad/current/courseinfo/phd_studies/
year1/first_year_aims.pdf
1.2 Taught courses
Must take 3 courses from among:
MA4xx, MA5yy, MA6zz
Masters level courses oered by Doctoral Training Centers (MASDOC,
Complexity, MOAC, Systems Biology)
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PhD level courses given through TCC (collaborative project between Bath,
Bristol, Imperial, Oxford, Warwick). It is via advanced interactive video
conferencing facility. Link: http://tcc.maths.ox.ac.uk/syllabi/index.
shtml
May be required to take a small number of undergrad classes MA3xx to
complete a gap in my knowledge
1.3 Transferable skills
In the rst year (and some later years too), I will be required to take classes
from this program: http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/maths/postgrad/
current/courseinfo/phd_studies/year1/skills_training/
The skills training will primarily focus on ensuring that I submit best pos-
sible rst-year report (in Term 3) and that I am able to give an hour-long talk
about it.
PART I: Speaking with style
Make sure that I can present a substantial piece of mathematics in a clear, con-
cise, and lively fashion. The material will be the topic of the rst-year report
due in Term 3. In week 2 of Term 2, I will give an 8-minute talk to receive
early feedback on my presentation skills. Final talk will be 1 hour long, can be
arranged some time between Term 2, 3 of Year 1 and Term 1 of Year 2.
PART II: Advanced mathematical writing
Expected to produce a 12-20 pages long report by the end of week 4 of Term 3.
Drafts reports are due in week 2 of Term 3 and will be peer-reviewd by fellow
students. When peer is happy, the work will be submitted to the supervisor and
Director of Graduate Studies.
PART III: Other
Required to maintain a webpage with at least basic content on my main research
problem. Should also attempt to use Warwick Portfolio. Plus some extra career
development seminars throughout the year.
1.4 Progress report
Submit a progress report to the Postgraduate Coordinatory by the end of week
2 of the Summer Term. No original research expected yet. Should demonstrate
awareness and understanding of the relevant literature. Report has 2 compo-
nents:
A report that demonstrates my understanding of my specic research eld
and the progress I have made in the rst year. If possible, write where
research is likely to lead in the next 1-2 years. No more than 20pgs.
Precise format may vary and may include a few items from the following
list:
review of a book or math papers
notes on a proof of a dicult theorem
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description of conducted experiments or simulations
computed examples
draft of a proof of a new theorem
A description of my academic activities: books & papers read, courses &
conferences attended (including generic skills training), participation in
seminars & study groups. This should reect the activities documented
in the initial project outline 1.1.
1.5 Progression
The purpose of the progress report 1.4 is to provide evidence to third parties
of my progress in the initial year of study. The report is considered by: The
Director of Graduate Studies, and the PhD Progress Board. Board meets at
the end of Term 3. Report & examination results and other assessments will
determine my upgrade to PhD status from Year 2. If not sucient progress
is visible from the report etc., the board may arrange an oral examination (by
Supervisor & Director of Grad Studies) by the end of Sep. Unless something
goes horribly wrong, the worst case is that I would spend one more year as
MPhil. However, funding would be in question?
2 PhD Year 2
Should make progress on my PhD topic this year. Encouraged to present
work on seminars, participate in study groups, workshops, etc. Still allowed to
take Taught courses through TCC. A range of other modules can be taken on
supervisors advice http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/maths/postgrad/
current/courseinfo/modules.
2.1 Progress report
Submit a copy to the supervisor, and 2 copies to the Postgrad Coordinator by
week 2 of Term 2. The report has 4 components:
1. A report (cca 20pgs) that demonstrates my understanding of the eld and
the progress I made. It should include:
review of a book or math papers
notes on a proof of a dicult theorem
description of conducted experiments or simulations
computed examples
draft of a proof of a new theorem
a research paper.
2. A description of my academic activities: texts read, courses & conferences
attended, participation in seminars & study groups.
3. A proposed title of the future thesis
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4. A brief description of the anticipated content of the thesis (titles of chap-
ters, abstract, etc.)
Precise format of the report will be specied by the supervisor.
2.2 Progression
The progress report 2.1 serves as evidence to third parties about:
progress towards more precisely dening and embarking upon a subject
suitable for a PhD thesis
to facilitate communication between the student and a member of sta
dierent from the supervisor
suitability for the PhD programme.
The PhD Progress Board will again assess the progress. However, in week 5
of Term 2, I will meet a member of sta to discuss the report. Feedback will
follow shortly. If the progress is not clear, oral examination will follow, and in
the worst case MPhil degree. . .
3 PhD Years 3
This is a putting it together phase.
3.1 Draft thesis
Normal expectation is that the thesis will be completed in 3.5 years. No way
should it take more than 4 years. By the end of week 8 of Term 1 (in Year 3),
students should submit a draft of the thesis to the supervisor, and 2 copies to
the Postgrad Coordinator. Does not have to be a complete (or near to complete)
draft. However, should be at least a detailed thesis plan and 1-2 chapters. Need
to have original research at this point. Draft must contain at least:
a list of the chapter (and lower-level) headings, with a description of the
chapters where not included
a rough indication of the number of pages for each section/chapter
progress made towards each chapter/section (i.e. 60%).
indication of how long each section/chapter will take (schedule)
expected submission date
3.2 Progression
All PhD students will meet a member of sta to discuss the draft/detailed the-
sis plan as appropriate. The member of sta will be chosen by the Director of
Graduate Studies in consultation with the supervisor. The meeting will nor-
mally take place by week 5 of Term 2 and feedback will follow within a short
period. The meeting will additionally help to develop links between the student
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and a member of sta other than the supervisor.
In some cases, where further information is required to establish the level
of progress of a student, s/he may be required to undergo an oral examination,
normally conducted by the supervisor and the Director for Graduate Studies.
The outcome of the oral examination will be reported to the PhD Progress
Board. As in the earlier years continued registration on the PhD is subject to
satisfactory progress.
4 Year 4
Students are expected to submit their thesis in around 3.5 years which reects
the length of funding available for many of the funded students. The department
makes every eort to ensure that students submit within this time-frame. In
particular, the procedures described for year 3 PhD students will also apply to
year 4 students who have not yet submitted a PhD thesis. Extensions beyond
four years of registration will only be given by the University in exceptional
circumstances (e.g. medical).
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