Annex A
Case Study—Mathematics at the University
of Hull
1. STUDENT NUMBERS
(PROVIDED BY
HESA):
|
| Year | Single honours
| Joint honours |
|
| 1996-97 | 187
| 37 |
| 1999-2000 | 183
| 37 |
| 2002-03 | 151
| 64 |
|
2. RESEARCHER NUMBERS
(TAKEN FROM
RAE 1992, 1996, 2001):
|
| Year | Research-active staff
| Research assistants/students
|
|
| Pure maths
| Applied maths | Pure maths
| Applied maths |
| 1992 | 9.0
| 8.0 | n/a
| n/a |
| 1996 | 9.0
| 10.1 | n/a
| n/a |
| 2001 | 7.5
| 8.25 | 9.0
| 6.0 |
|
3. RESEARCH MEASURES
(TAKEN FROM
RAE 1992, 1996, 2001):
|
| Year | RAE rating
| Research income
|
|
| Pure maths
| Applied maths |
Pure maths | Applied maths
|
| 1992 | 3 |
3 | n/a | n/a
|
| 1996 | 4 |
3b | n/a | n/a
|
| 2001 | 4 |
4 | £22,600
| £20,973 |
|
4. TEACHING QUALITY
(EXTRACT FROM
QUALITY ASSESSMENT
EXERCISE, MARCH
1999):
The graded profile ... indicates the extent to which the
student learning experience and achievement demonstrate that the
aims and objectives set by the subject provider are being met.
[4 = maximum]:
|
| Aspects of provision | Grade
|
|
| Curriculum Design, Content and Organisation
| 3 |
| Teaching, Learning and Assessment | 3
|
| Student Progression and Achievement | 4
|
| Student Support and Guidance | 4
|
| Learning Resources | 4
|
| Quality Management and Enhancement | 4
|
|
5. LETTER FROM
THE VICE-CHANCELLOR,
DR DREWRY,
TO THE
PRESIDENT OF
THE LMS, PROFESSOR
J T STUART (24 JULY
2002)
At the outset, I should state that the University shares
many of your concerns and views with respect to the role of Mathematics
within the University and the contribution of the discipline to
society. I am sure that you will also be aware of the very significant
commitment the University has made to the development of research
in Mathematics with the establishment of our first research institute—the
Hull Institute for Mathematical Sciences and Applications (HIMSA)—accompanied
by the appointment of several outstanding mathematicians.
With regard to possible changes in respect of the provision
made by the University of Hull, the situation is that we are currently
reviewing the University's entire academic portfolio in the light
of the Government's agenda for HE together with current and predicted
recruitment trends and anticipated developments in HE. The principles
on which we are basing this review form part of our Way Forward
strategy—approved by our Senate and Council—and have
been subject to further consultation in the University. As an
integral part of this process, the Department of Mathematics is
reviewing its portfolio of programmes and is currently developing
a number of initiatives, which offer significant potential to
contribute to the continuing development of the discipline within
the University and which seek to engage the changing student profile.
I am appreciative of the concerns you have expressed and assure
you that the LMS Policy will be taken into full account as part
of our ongoing deliberations.
6. QUOTES FROM
THE UNIVERSITY
OF HULL
WEBSITE (JANUARY
2005):
Welcome to our medium-sized Department, known for its friendly
and personal atmosphere. Students, teachers and researchers work
together to pursue their common interest: mathematics and its
applications. The Guardian University Guide (05/2002) ranked us
among the top-20 mathematics departments in the country.
Our degree programmes have one of the best completion rates
and our students graduate with excellent employment prospects
. . . We make an extra effort to help you through your first year
since Getting Started at university is a challenge.
Research in Mathematics at Hull enjoys an international reputation
in areas ranging from geometry and financial mathematics to continuum
mechanics and mathematical physics. The Hull Institute for Mathematical
Sciences and Applications (HIMSA), set up in 2000, promotes national
and international collaboration in interdisciplinary research.
Admissions to all undergraduate mathematics programmes have
been suspended for the 2005-06 Session.
7. DROP IN
DEMAND FORCES
HULL TO
AXE MATHS
(THES, 17 DECEMBER 2004)
Hull University is to close its maths department in the face
of falling student demand for the subject. The university has
said that existing staff will be moved to York University to ensure
that students "continue to have access to high-quality mathematics
education in Yorkshire".
David Drewry, Hull's Vice-Chancellor, said: "Hull is
not unique in experiencing recruitment difficulties in mathematics
and we have to take notice of, and respond positively to, the
needs and requirements of our students."
. . .
Hull said it would set up a new Centre for Mathematics to
provide maths teaching for other disciplines, and it would continue
to train school maths teachers. Dr Jarvis commented: "This
is a hurried add-on that appeared after staff and unions pointed
out the serious knock-on effects and the far-reaching consequences
the closure of maths would have." He said the centre would
not attract high-calibre mathematicians and would probably have
to be closed in a few years.
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