ST415 Statistics Masters Dissertation
Please note that all lectures for Statistics modules taught in the 2022-23 academic year will be delivered on campus, and that the information below relates only to the hybrid teaching methods utilised in 2021-22 as a response to Coronavirus. We will update the Additional Information (linked on the right side of this page) prior to the start of the 2022/23 academic year.
The department offers individually supervised projects. A project involves working, with the support of a member of the lecturing staff, on a topic specific to you. The range of topics is very wide and reflects the research interests of the lecturing staff. Other titles are possible by individual arrangements.
A list giving details of the projects available will be published on the ST415 module resource page. A project induction session for third year students is held in term 3. After the induction third year M-degree students should consult with potential supervisors. Students will be asked to submit their three top project choices online.
Project assignments will then be made by the end of term 3.
Throughout the 2021-22 academic year, we will be adapting the way we teach and assess your modules in line with government guidance on social distancing and other protective measures in response to Coronavirus. Teaching will vary between online and on-campus delivery through the year, and you should read the additional information linked on the right hand side of this page for details of how this will work for this module. The contact hours shown in the module information below are superseded by the additional information.You can find out more about the University’s overall response to Coronavirus at: https://warwick.ac.uk/coronavirus.
All dates for assessments for Statistics modules, including coursework and examinations, can be found in the Statistics Assessment Handbook at http://go.warwick.ac.uk/STassessmenthandbook
ST415-30 Statistics Masters Dissertation
Introductory description
This module is core for students on the MMathStat degree and optional core for students on an MMORSE degree. It is not available as an unusual option for other students.
In this module you will carry out a significant project over the course of terms 1-3 on a topic of specialist interest. You will be provided with an opportunity to express preferences for your project during the preceding academic year and will be allocated to a project / supervisor before the start of the academic year.
Module aims
To allow students to integrate, apply and extend knowledge and skills gained in the taught component of their degree and mastery of some element of Mathematics and Statistics. To give students an introduction to research in the discipline.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
Students will be allocated a dissertation supervisor in the Department of Statistics. The module will entail regular supervisory meetings as well as independent study and research on a chosen topic and the writing of the dissertation. The dissertation will be on a topic within mathematics and statistics. Students will be provided with a list of available topics but may suggest their own provided this is agreed with the supervisor.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Produce an extended piece of academic writing with appropriate referencing of literature sources.
- Conduct a literature review on a selected topic;
- Plan and develop an advanced project themed in Mathematics or Statistics;
- Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of an advanced topic in Mathematics or Statistics;
- Understand, apply and evaluate theory and methodology of relevant literature, showing good judgement in their selection, application and interpretation;
- Communicate the results of advanced scholarship or research to a specialist audience;
Indicative reading list
Mittelbach, F., Goossens, M., Braams, J., Carlisle, D., & Rowley, C. (2004). The LATEX companion. Addison-Wesley Professional.
Krantz, S. G. (2017). A primer of mathematical writing: Being a disquisition on having your ideas recorded, typeset, published, read, and appreciated (Vol. 243). American Mathematical Soc..
Neville, C. (2010). The complete guide to referencing and avoiding plagiarism. McGraw-Hill Education
(UK).
View reading list on Talis Aspire
Research element
- plan and develop an advanced project in mathematics and statistics;
Subject specific skills
Probability, Statistics or other Applied Mathematics research skills
Transferable skills
Your Integrated Masters Dissertation is an opportunity to develop a range of transferable skills (see https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/transferable-skills/more-transferable/) such as communicating orally, writing for your peers, project organisation and time management, or creative and independent thinking. These skills will be worthwhile whether you become an academic or go to industry.
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 4 sessions of 30 minutes (1%) |
| Project supervision | 10 sessions of 1 hour (3%) |
| Supervised practical classes | 2 sessions of 1 hour (1%) |
| Private study | 186 hours (62%) |
| Assessment | 100 hours (33%) |
| Total | 300 hours |
Private study description
Find, read and evaluate literature, plan and develop research question, collect and find data, carry out analysis, evaluate and interpret findings, communicate results and write dissertation.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.
Assessment group A3
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 15% | 10 hours | No |
|
You will prepare and deliver a presentation about your dissertation project to a small audience of your peers and academic staff during a scheduled 2 hour session in week 9 or 10 of term 2. Your presentation will last 12 minutes and will be followed by questions from the audience. |
|||
| Written dissertation | 75% | 80 hours | Yes (extension) |
|
Due in Term 3 Week 2 You will produce a written dissertation on your research project at a level of exposition and technical detail appropriate for another student within the same cohort. 500 words is equivalent to one page of text, diagrams, formula or equations; your dissertation is likely to be between 40-80 pages in length. Up to 10% of the mark awarded for the dissertation will reflect the extent to which you took intellectual ownership of the project; this is an academic judgement on your quality of understanding beyond that evidenced in the written assessment components of the dissertation. |
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| Workflow Report | 10% | 10 hours | Yes (extension) |
|
Due in Term 1 Week 10. |
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Feedback on assessment
- Face-to-face feedback will be given on the workflow report component by individual arrangement with supervisor.
- A short feedback report will provided for the presentation within 20 working days.
- Written feedback will be given on the written dissertation following the examination board.
Anti-requisite modules
If you take this module, you cannot also take:
- EC400-30 Statistics Masters Dissertation in Economics
- IB403-30 Dissertation (MMORSE)
- ST421-30 Data Science Masters Dissertation
Courses
This module is Core for:
- Year 4 of USTA-G1G3 Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics (BSc MMathStat)
- Year 5 of USTA-G1G4 Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics (BSc MMathStat) (with Intercalated Year)
This module is Core optional for:
-
USTA-G300 Undergraduate Master of Mathematics,Operational Research,Statistics and Economics
- Year 4 of G30A Master of Maths, Op.Res, Stats & Economics (Actuarial and Financial Mathematics Stream)
- Year 4 of G30B Master of Maths, Op.Res, Stats & Economics (Econometrics and Mathematical Economics Stream)
- Year 4 of G30C Master of Maths, Op.Res, Stats & Economics (Operational Research and Statistics Stream)
- Year 4 of G30D Master of Maths, Op.Res, Stats & Economics (Statistics with Mathematics Stream)
-
USTA-G301 Undergraduate Master of Mathematics,Operational Research,Statistics and Economics (with Intercalated
- Year 5 of G30E Master of Maths, Op.Res, Stats & Economics (Actuarial and Financial Mathematics Stream) Int
- Year 5 of G30F Master of Maths, Op.Res, Stats & Economics (Econometrics and Mathematical Economics Stream) Int
- Year 5 of G30G Master of Maths, Op.Res, Stats & Economics (Operational Research and Statistics Stream) Int
- Year 5 of G30H Master of Maths, Op.Res, Stats & Economics (Statistics with Mathematics Stream)