Programme Specifications

September 2023

This programme caters for a degree scheme which allows the student to take a course in which one-half of the content is in Mathematics and the remainder in another subject.

The educational aims of the programme are:

· To provide students with knowledge and understanding in a range of topics in Mathematics, which may include some topics in Statistics.

· To develop skills in the application of such knowledge and understanding to the solutions of problems in Mathematics.

· To develop the ability to transfer subject-specific skills to a range of topics in Mathematics.

· To allow students to develop subject-specific knowledge and skills in another discipline in parallel with their studies in Mathematics.

· To prepare students for careers in which a combination of the skills developed in Mathematics and another subject is particularly appropriate. 

· To develop analytical reasoning skills, team-working skills, information technology skills and other skills appropriate to a wide range of careers.

1. To study organisations, their management and the changing external environment in which they operate. The programme covers a wide range of organisations, including public, private and not-for-profit, and focuses on all of the key functional areas of management at both the strategic and operational levels.

2. To prepare for a career in business and management, including the development of a range of specific business knowledge and skills, together with improved self-awareness and personal development appropriate to graduates with the potential to progress into management positions. The programme encourages the development of positive and critical attitudes towards change and enterprise.

3. To enhance lifelong learning skills and personal development to contribute to society at large.

4. To develop and enhance a range of general transferable intellectual and study skills, which whilst being highly appropriate to careers in business and management, are not exclusive to these career choices.

The learning outcomes of this programme are designed to meet the expectations of the benchmarking statement for General Business and Management. The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities arid other attributes in the following areas.

Knowledge and understanding

A1. Of fundamental concepts and techniques of calculus, algebra, analysis and selected topics in geometry, mathematical modelling, probability and statistics.
A2. Of more advanced concepts in abstract algebra, real and complex analysis and selected topics in numerical mathematics, fluid dynamics, probability and statistics.
A3. Of a selection of specialist topics in Mathematics and Statistics.
A4. Of software for the analysis of numerical data.
A5. Of software supporting presentations and producing reports.

Teaching, learning and assessment methods used to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated:

Formal lectures (A1-A5), tutorials (A1-A4), examples classes (A1-A4), practical classes (A4 - A5), help-desk encounters (A1), student-initiated informal meetings with lecturers (A1-A4), coursework (A1-A4). Project consultations (A1-A4) for students who have chosen the appropriate module.

Assessment – unseen written examinations (A1-A3), open-book practical examinations (A1 - A4), coursework (A1-A4). Project reports/presentations (A1 - A5), if appropriate.

1. Markets - the development and operation of markets for resources, goods and services

2. Customers - customer expectations, service and orientation

3. Finance - the sources, uses and management of finance; the use of accounting and other information systems for managerial applications

4. People - the management and development of people Within organisations

5. Operations - the management of resources and operations

6. Business policy and strategy - the development of appropriate policies and strategies within a changing environment, to meet stakeholder interests

7. Pervasive issues - sustainability, globalisation, corporate social responsibility, diversity, business innovation, creativity, enterprise development, knowledge management and risk management.

Learning and Teaching

Formal teaching in lectures including lecture capture recordings. Use of seminars and tutorials to reinforce subject teaching, often by means of problem based scenarios and case studies. Guided learning is provided by individual module outlines and supplementary reading lists specifying sources of relevant information, available in hard copy and on blackboard. Group work and presentations may be used in some modules. Feedback on assignments.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

A broad range of assessment methods, including individual essays, reports, presentations, an individual project, group reports and presentations, and unseen written examinations.

10.2.1.      Intellectual skills

The ability to

B1. Calculate and manipulate data obtained from, or related to, the bodies of knowledge studied.
B2. Apply a range of concepts and principles in well-defined mathematical or statistical contexts, showing judgement in the selection and application of tools and techniques.
B3. Develop and evaluate logical arguments.
B4. Abstract the essential elements of problems, formulate them in a mathematical context and obtain solutions by appropriate methods.

Teaching, learning and assessment methods used to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated

Formal lectures, tutorials, examples classes, practical classes, revision workshops, help-desk encounters, student-initiated informal meetings with lecturers. Project consultations for students who have chosen the appropriate modules. Skills B1-B4 are developed in all these learning situations.

Assessment – unseen written examinations, open-book practical examinations, coursework, presentations. Project reports, if appropriate. Skills B1-B4 are assessed by all these assessment methods.

10.2.2.      Professional practical skills

The ability to

C1. Present arguments and conclusions effectively and accurately.
C2. Use computer software to analyse and interpret the data.
C3. Use computer software to support presentations and produce reports.

Teaching, learning and assessment methods used to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated

Formal lectures, tutorials, examples classes, practical classes, revision workshops, help-desk encounters, student-initiated informal meetings with lecturers. Project consultations for students who have chosen the appropriate modules. Skill C1 is developed in all these learning situations, skills C2-C3 in practical classes. Some, but not all, of the skills C2-C3 are acquired by all students on this programme, since the modules in which they are developed are optional.

Assessment – unseen written examinations (C1), open-book practical examinations (C2), coursework (C1 - C2), project report/presentations (C1-C3), if appropriate.

10.2.1 Intellectual Skills

1. Cognitive skills of critical thinking, analysis and synthesis. This includes the capability to identify assumptions, evaluate statements in terms of evidence, to detect false logic or reasoning, to identify implicit values, to define terms adequately and to generalise appropriately.

2. Effective problem solving and decision making.

3. Using appropriate qualitative and quantitative skills, including data analysis, interpretation and extrapolation and use of models/frameworks·of business problems and phenomena.

4. Identifying, formulating and solving business problems, demonstrating the ability to create, evaluate and assess a range of options together with the capacity to apply ideas and knowledge to a range of situations.

Learning and Teaching

Formal teaching in lectures including lecture capture recordings. Use of seminars and tutorials to reinforce subject teaching, often by means of problem based scenarios and case studies. Guided learning is provided by individual module outlines and supplementary reading lists specifying sources of relevant information, available in hard copy and on blackboard. Group work and presentations may be used in some modules. Feedback on assignments.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

A broad range of assessment methods, including individual essays, reports, presentations, an individual project, group reports and presentations, and unseen written examinations.

10.2.2 Professional practical skills / Discipline Specific Skills

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

1. An ability to conduct research into business and management issues, either individually or as part of a team for projects/dissertations/presentations. This requires familiarity with and an evaluative approach to a range of business data, sources of information and appropriate methodologies, and for such to inform the overall learning process.

2. Effective performance within a team environment, including leadership, team building, influencing and project management skills.

3. Demonstrate interpersonal skills of effective listening, negotiating, persuasion and presentation.

4. Demonstrate effective use of communication and information technology for business applications.

Learning and Teaching

Formal teaching in lectures including lecture capture recordings. Use of seminars and tutorials to reinforce subject teaching, often by means of problem based scenarios and case studies. Guided learning is provided by individual module outlines and supplementary reading lists specifying sources of relevant information, available in hard copy and on blackboard. Group work and presentations may be used in some modules. Feedback on assignments.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

A broad range of assessment methods, including individual essays, reports, presentations, an individual project, group reports and presentations, and unseen written examinations.

The ability to

D1. Apply general mathematical skills to the interpretation of numerical data.
D2. Work as a member of a team.
D3. Use information technology effectively to manage information.
D4. Manage time and resources effectively.
D5. Develop effective learning skills.
D6. Be aware of the need to plan for employment and of need to develop various skills for such employment.
D7. Work independently.

Teaching, learning and assessment methods used to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated

Skill D1 is developed in all learning environments in the Department of Mathematics and assessed by all assessment methods. Skill D2 is developed during practical classes. Skill D3 is developed primarily in practical classes and assessed by open-book examinations and coursework. Project consultations for students who have chosen the appropriate modules. Skill D3 is also developed through the use of e-mail, which is a normal means of communication between staff and students. Skills D4 and D5 are developed in an induction course on study skills, in preparing set coursework and submitting it by given deadlines.  Skills D4 and D5 are not explicitly assessed. Skill D6 is developed at meetings with Personal Tutors, at occasional recruitment meetings arranged for final-year students in the Department of Mathematics and in interactions with the Careers Advisory Service. Skills D4, D5 and D7 are developed by independent study for an optional project.

By the end of their programme, all students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

1. Communication skills

2. Improving own learning and performance

3. Team work skills

4. Information technology skills

5. Quantitative skills

6. Personal development and career planning

Learning and Teaching

Formal teaching in lectures including lecture capture recordings. Use of seminars and tutorials to reinforce subject teaching, often by means of problem based scenarios and case studies. Guided learning is provided by individual module outlines and supplementary reading lists specifying sources of relevant information, available in hard copy and on blackboard. Group work and presentations may be used in some modules. Feedback on assignments.

Assessment Strategies and Methods

A broad range of assessment methods, including individual essays, reports, presentations, an individual project, group reports and presentations, and unseen written examinations.