Dissertation

Students normally prepare their dissertations during TT and the long vacation, but it is often valuable to commence background work earlier. A student's dissertation topic should be selected in consultation with their supervisor and the details of the form and scope of the dissertation are described in the Regulations. Here are some possible dissertation projects. Additionally, a number of industrial topics suitable for dissertations will be presented at a meeting in December by companies who sponsor the M.Sc. course. Also students are encouraged to talk to any potential supervisors, which may include most academics or researchers in OCIAM, OCCAM or the NA Group. Note that the supervisor allocated in the first term will not usually turn out to be the supervisor for the dissertation. Each student will be required to give a short talk and answer questions on the background to their dissertation topic at an open meeting, attended by supervisors, examiners and sponsors, to be held at the end of May.

In normal circumstances the body of the dissertation (excluding appendices etc.) should not exceed 50 pages.

Students should submit three bound copies of their dissertation, with a completed declaration form, to the Examination Schools by midday on Friday 6th September 2013. An electronic copy may also be requested.

The oral examination (viva) will be held in the second half of September and students will be expected to answer questions on their dissertation. Students whose performance was considered to be weak in either the written examination or their special topics, may also expect to be asked questions on these parts of the course at the oral.