项目介绍

2021年8月2日

About the course

The DPhil in Mathematics is an advanced research degree which provides the opportunity to investigate a project in depth and write a thesis which makes a significant contribution in the field.  You will gain a wide range of research and other skills as well as in-depth knowledge and expertise in your chosen field, whilst studying in a beautiful, modern setting. 

During your study at Oxford, you can share in the excitement of contributing to research in one or more of the many topics studied by Oxford mathematicians. Subject areas cover the entire spectrum of mathematics and the department’s research is conducted in many fields, with subject areas including:

• algebra (primarily group theory and representation theory)
• number theory
• algebraic geometry
• differential geometry
• topology
• complex manifolds
• global analysis
• partial differential equations
• functional analysis
• stochastic analysis
• dynamical systems
• mathematical logic
• optimisation
• combinatorial theory
• quantum theory
• string theory
• relativity
• mathematical biology and ecology
• mathematical modelling
• fluid and continuum mechanics
• mathematical and computational finance
• numerical analysis
• history of mathematics
• mathematics applied to problems in earth sciences, materials science and finance.

You will be asked to outline your research interests when you apply by listing one or more of the fields of research listed above on your application form under “proposed field and title of research project”, and you will be matched to the most appropriate research group.

You will be expected to acquire transferable skills as part of your training, which will require you to attend courses, lectures, workshops and colloquia. You will have the opportunity to develop other valuable skills and to contribute to the work of the department by teaching, both by marking students’ work and later by leading classes of around 8 to 12 students.

Undertaking the course is regarded as equivalent to working full-time hours and may also sometimes require some additional hours. The minimum period of registration for the DPhil is six terms but in practice you may need nine terms at least.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Mathematical Institute and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Mathematical Institute.  You will be invited to suggest a specific supervisor or supervisors in your application and your preferences will be taken into account in allocating you a supervisor (which will be done before your arrival).

Students are expected to meet with their supervisors at least four times per term. A more typical pattern is weekly, at least until you reach the stage of writing up your thesis.

Assessment

There are formal assessments of progress on the research project; transfer of status at around 12 to 15 months and confirmation of status at around 30 to 36 months. These assessments involve the submission of written work and an oral examination.

You will be expected to teach at least one set of classes before transfer of status and a further two additional sets before confirmation of status.

You will be expected to acquire transferable skills as part of your training and to undertake 68 hours of broadening courses outside your specialist area. This normally involves the submission of written work for three 16-hour lecture courses and attendance at workshops and colloquia.

Graduate destinations

The department, working alongside the university’s Careers Service, supports graduate students as they move from the DPhil to the next stage of their career. Many graduate students stay in academia, by taking up a postdoctoral position, and many move into employment in a range of industries and sectors where the expertise and skills developed during the DPhil are highly valued.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made in circumstances of a pandemic (including Covid-19), epidemic or local health emergency. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.

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