Honours in Applied Mathematics Program

1. Strategic Plan for Postgraduate Programmes and Research *Task Team 4: Restructuring of honours study programmes in Applied Mathematics and in Mathematics;Admission requirements for all postgraduate programmes Prof R Anguelov (Chair), Prof AF Harding, Prof KH Jordaan, Prof JM-S Lubuma, Prof M Sango, Prof JE van den Berg, Prof NFJ van Rensburg, Dr J DjokoKamdem, Dr R Appadu, Dr SM Garba, Dr JH van der Walt * Please read in conjunction with the report of Task Team 4

2. Honours in Applied Mathematics Program Applied Analysis Differential Eqs. & Modelling Compulsory: Analysis in Applications (new ) Partial Differential Equations Essay Elective: Five of the following Continuum Mechanics Stochastic Processes Numerical Analysis Mathematical Methods and Models / Dynamical Systems Mathematical Optimization Finite Element Method Compulsory: • Functional Analysis • Measure Theory • Partial Differential Equations • Essay Elective: Four of the following • Continuum Mechanics • Stochastic Processes • Numerical Analysis • Finite Element Method • Math Methods &Models • Mathematical Optimization

3. Honours in Pure Mathematics The work on the restructuring should continue in 2013 along the following guidelines: • A new module under the working title “Finite aspects of mathematics” should be created. Prof J van den Berg will make a detailed proposal in the beginning of 2013 about title and content after consultation with staff involved in this field. • The set of compulsory modules should be reduced to six to include the following: Essay, Algebra, Functional Analysis, Measure Theory and Probability, Topology and the new module on “Finite Aspects”.

4. Admission policies and procedures for MSc and PhD: General principles • The admission criteria for MSc and PhD studies as formulated in the current yearbook are in principle adequate in terms of students coming from our own (departmental) programmes. • The Department needs to formulate admission criteria for students coming from other universities. The general approach is that students need to demonstrate similar level of preparedness as our students. Ideally this should be done within the framework of their previous degree. When this is not the case alternative means can be considered. • The Department needs to find ways of checking if the student’s knowledge really corresponds to the presented degrees/transcripts/dissertation.

5. Admissions: General principles (2) • The supervisor plays critical role and must take responsibility in terms assessing student’s preparedness and ability and in terms of preparing a good study plan. The supervisor provides essential input to the admission panel, but due to conflict of interests should not be part of this panel. • Any policy need to take into account • The student: he/she places his/her trust in the Department and in the supervisor. • The supervisor: his/her input, responsibility and recognition • The Department: to be known for good standards of research and supervision. • The admission procedure should be administratively as simple as possible so that bright and well prepared students are not discouraged to apply. Any additional work that they might be required to do should be directly related and to the benefit of their degree should they be accepted. Whenever the student has shown potential but lacks knowledge, appropriate coursework or study tasks can be assigned on admission and continued registration conditional upon performance.

6. Admissions: General principles (3) • In principle, there should be a way of admitting PhD students who have not done a MSc dissertation and so far we can see two ways - the student registers for MSc but is given credit for the course work when he has done relevant and of similar standard course work within his MSc - after the completion of the MSc the student has been involved in research resulting in scientific articles article(s) or equivalent publications which demonstrate Mastery in the field of work. • The individual researchers and the department need to announce as clear as possible fields in which supervision can be provided and also what is expected from a student who would like to work in a respective field.

7. Admissions: General principles (3) • The department needs to communicate clearly the expectation regarding student’s performance, e.g. within the first 12 month there should be both written and oral presentation where the student needs to demonstrate reasonable mastery of the field of his work, understanding of the research question, and plan of work. • In the evaluation of applications from other universities it is very difficult to rely only on certificates and transcripts. The department needs to develop own strategy. It can include - written exam on work that the student has done in previous degree - evaluation of thesis, dissertation, project, scientific publications - essay on selection of articles proposed by the prospective supervisor - oral presentation - interview on skype -references

8. Admissions: Way forward PG&R committee should set up in 2013 up a small technical team which can formulate an admission structure and process which implement the stated guidelines but also complies with the university regulations and utilises existing procedures