1. STRUCTURE Our Department: Institute of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science (IMS or IMSAS) University Departments are grouped into Faculties. Our Department is one of six making up the Faculty of Science, Technology and Medical Studies [Computing, Electronic Engineering, Physical Sciences, Biosciences, Medicine & Health Sciences] Our responsibilities centre on teaching and research in Mathematics Statistics Actuarial ScienceOperational Research

2. STRUCTURE (continued) Academic Staff – Director - Prof Peter Fleischmann Director of Studies -Dr Eryl Bassett (E120) Welfare Officer -Dr Barry Vowden (E226) Department Administrator -Mr Richard Millns (E101) All staff have offices in the Mathematical Institute (a detailed list can be found on the stairwell) IMS General Office -Room E101, first floor More details on the department's website: http://www.kent.ac.uk/ims/

3. STRUCTURE (continued) Students - Wide range of degree programmes offered Conventional 3-year degrees Foundation Year Degrees involving a year away (placement) Short-term students Overseas students on exchange programmes One-year courses involving Graduate Diplomas Postgraduate (MSc) courses in Statistics Actuarial Science Research (MPhil and PhD students)

4. DEGREE WORK AT KENT Teaching is organised on a modular basis [Foundation Year] Stage 1: first-year Part II (Stages 2 and 3): subsequent years Examinations – these take place each summer. Degrees are awarded on Stage 2 and 3 examinations, and on achieving Credits for modules taken. Unit system - 8 units per year

5. DEGREE WORK AT KENT (continued) MODULES Most are single units, lasting one term Module teams, convenor Information about how a module is organised will be given to you as it starts Attendance records are kept Most modules are examined separately in the Trinity term Many have a small amount of continuous assessment, some have more Students need to gain a pass mark overall in all modules, to ensure they receive the appropriate credits

6. CREDITS The University has adopted a credit system for all awards Unit system - 8 units per year Credits - 15 credits per unit 120 credits per year. BSc degree – 360 credits (conventional 3-year degree) 480 credits (degree including placement year) It is therefore essential that you work hard at each of your lecture courses and projects, so as to obtain all the credits you need.

7. ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE Mathematical subjects are progressive Important for you to keep up with work week by week Attendance records: sanctions No heavy hand: need for self-discipline Need to ensure credits obtained for each module

8. [Extracts from the University’s Student Charter]

11. TUTORS Each student has a personal tutor Channel of communication and advice Illness, problems - ensure your tutor is kept informed Help in choosing optional components of degree programmes References … Requirement - Students ‘sign in’ and ‘sign out’ at with their tutors at the start and end of each term

12. LEARNING SUPPORT Organised by the Department – Support sessions for individual modules Advice in handbooks Tutors - point of contact Organised by the University - University Library Computing Service Unit for enhancement of learning and teaching (UELT) Student Learning Advisory Service

13. WELFARE IMS Welfare Officer - Dr Vowden (E226) The University's Student Guidance and Welfare Service

14. MISCELLANEOUS Quality issues - Feedback, Complaints Staff-Student Liaison Committee Student Charter Student handbooks Timetables UCAS days

15. CONTACTS Contacting lecturers, tutors and other staff - email (addresses in your handbooks) in person during office hours telephone messages in General Office (E101) Contacting you - Mostly, using email Pigeonholes: ground floor in Mathematical Institute College pigeonholes

16. DATES OF TERMS 2003-2004 Academic terms this year are as follows: Michaelmas Term (Weeks 1-12) 22 September 2003 – 12 December 2003 Lent Term (Weeks 13-24) 5 January 2004 – 26 March 2004 Trinity Term (Weeks 25-30) 26 April 2004 – 4 June 2004 We are now in Week 0...

17. THIS WEEK, NEXT WEEK… Week 0, Thursday 18 September 2003 09.30Talk by the Dean of STMS Mrs Ursula Fuller Rutherford Lecture Theatre 1 09.45Introduction to the Department, Professor Peter Fleischmann Rutherford Lecture Theatre 1 12.00Talk for Foundation Year Students CNW Seminar Room 7

18. THIS WEEK, NEXT WEEK… Week 0, Friday 19 September 10.30 - 11.00am Talk on Library Facilities CORNWALLIS LECTURE THEATRE 1 11.15 - 11.45am Talk on Computing Facilities CORNWALLIS LECTURE THEATRE 1 11.45 Appointments with Tutors (till about 12.30) 3.30 - 4.00pm Talk for students taking a language module* CORNWALLIS LECTURE THEATRE 1 * Note: This meeting should only be attended by students taking a modern language module at Stage 1; i.e., students on programmes involving a year abroad or students opting for a modern language module in Stage 1.

19. NEXT WEEK Monday 22 September: INTRODUCTORY TEST We find it useful to know how much you all know on arrival at Kent. The test will be held in the Mathematics Lecture Theatre (Undergraduate Laboratory) in the Mathematical Institute. Actuarial Science students:2.00 p.m. All other students:3.00 p.m. No calculators are needed. The test consists of 25 questions, and you write your answers in on a single sheet which we supply. The test lasts just under 1 hour. Bring a pen! We do NOT use this test as part of your assessment. It is ONLY to help us pitch our teaching at the right level.

20. Monday, 9.00 a.m.: Lectures start ! Most modules comprise lectures together with support sessions described as classes, seminars or practicals. Basic rule: The Department does not have any support sessions for a module before the first lecture on that module. NEXT WEEK

21. Timetables You will need to consult individual timetables, depending on your degree programme. We hope to distribute timetables during this session. But only this term! Example: [On Monday timetable, 11.00] NEXT WEEK Type of session ---------- Location (capacity) ----- Weeks -------------------- Module code ------------- MODULE TITLE -------- Lecturer ------------------ LECTURE ELT2 (114) 1-12 MA301 CALCULUS Ioannidou, Dr T

22. Tomorrow (Friday) 11.45 - Appointments with tutors Monday 2.00 or 3.00 - Introductory test Both are in the Mathematical Institute How to find us!