Module Directory

Looking to build your research capabilities? This module will equip you with the principal research tools for your PhD in Mathematical Sciences combining general skills used across the mathematical sciences with individual techniques acquired via a small individual project guided by your PhD supervisor.

The general skills that you will learn will include the mathematical word-processing language LaTeX, good practice in mathematical and science writing, how to find research sources and use mathematical databases, present your research to others using posters and/or research talks, applying for funding and more.

The aims of this module are:

• To provide students with basic skills to carry out and communicate research in the mathematical sciences.


• To provide students with a critical understanding of what constitutes a good and a bad piece of writing in the mathematical sciences and how to face the peer-review process.


• To enable students to lead their own learning in their subject area and communicate it at a professional standard using a variety of methods.

By the end of this module, students will be expected to:

1. Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and use of databases relevant to the mathematical sciences, as well as citation standards.


2. Demonstrate use of typesetting of projects in LaTeX.


3. Demonstrate a systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront of a subject in the mathematical sciences from a variety of sources, including research papers and specialist books.


4. Exercise largely autonomous initiative in complex situations in mathematical sciences at a professional level.


5. Conceptualise projects for the generation of significant new knowledge and/or understanding in the mathematical sciences.


6. Make informed judgements on complex issues in a specialist field of the mathematical sciences, often in the absence of complete data.


7. Be able to communicate ideas and conclusions clearly and effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences using different formats such as technical documents, posters and presentations.

Indicative syllabus

• Sources of information (Library, MathSciNet, Web of Science, Google, Google Scholar, ArXiv, Zentralblatt, etc).


• Reading of scientific papers.


• LaTeX, Bibtex, version control and editing of documents in mathematical sciences.


• Writing skills for mathematical sciences: planning, style and choices.


• Designing and executing a research project.


• Designing and delivering research presentations in mathematical sciences to different audiences.


• Creating a research poster in mathematical sciences.


• Attending lectures, conferences and research schools.


• Accessing and applying for external funding.

This module will be delivered via:

• 20 hours of seminars

This module will include a substantial degree of self-learning. Students will have to prepare in advanced covering reading materials prepared by the instructor. In addition to that, the students will carry out an individual project in which they will survey a technique in a field of their interest under close supervision of their PhD supervisor (an average of one hour a week during term time). In this project the students will be able to put in practice all the skills learned in the module.