Unit information: Communication, Careers & Enterprise in Mathematics in 2015/16

Unit name	Communication, Careers & Enterprise in Mathematics
Unit code	MATH20005
Credit points	10
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Professor. Snaith
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	120cp of C/4 units, at least 60 of which are mathematics units.
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Mathematics
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

UNIT AIMS: The aims of this unit are to give students an opportunity to develop the ability to communicate mathematics and to develop the skills to use their academic knowledge effectively in their chosen career path.

DESCRIPTION: The following areas will be covered: Writing mathematics for the general public Each student will be asked to produce 500-750 words, aimed at a general, non-mathematical audience which will then be reviewed.

Career skills Students will apply for a real job advert, selected by unit organiser. They will write and hand in a cover letter and CV which will then be reviewed.

Maths enterprise group project Students will work in groups and will be assigned a case study of a piece of applicable mathematics. As a group they will propose a plausible application of the work, they will research the audience or customers who would benefit from this work and they will develop a prospective business case which will then be reviewed.

Intended Learning Outcomes

• to gain an understanding of the challenges in writing mathematics for the general public
• gain experience in writing for the general public
• learn to participate constructively in peer review
• gain practice in effective peer assessment  gain skills in writing a CV and covering letter
• practice key interview skills
• to gain an understanding of the process of commercializing a mathematical idea as a social or commercial enterprise and to gain some experience in this process *to gain professional skills associated with developing and articulating a business case
• to gain experience in working effectively with a group of peers
• Gain practice in effective peer assessment
• Learn to present findings orally

Teaching Information

Presentations from experts delivering skills training; peer review; peer assessment; small group work; office hours and drop-in sessions

Assessment Information

Writing mathematics for the general public: 5% of total mark from assessment of review process 10% of total mark from assessment of written work

Career skills: 2.5% cover letter 2.5% CV 20% interview

Maths enterprise group project: 10% of total mark for presentation (a group mark) 50% of total mark for report (a group mark)

Reading and References

“Working in Science: a practical guide to science careers for graduates”, Tracy Johnson, 2013,