UCD School of Mathematics and Statistics Scoil na Matamaitice agus na Staitisticí UCD

Guidance for Autumn Trimester 2020-21 (25 August, 2020)

General Statements and Aims 

The School of Mathematics and Statistics has been working hard to figure out how we can offer our students the best teaching and learning experience possible within the current, and ever-changing, restrictions caused by the Covid pandemic. We are a large School and teach a wide range of modules to diverse groups of students across UCD. This Autumn trimester we expect to teach over 4,500 students, and oversee almost 8,000 registrations to modules in the School. Our teaching extends over 11 undergraduate programmes and 7 postgraduate programmes and students from six colleges take core modules in our school. Class sizes vary from single figures to over 500 students. We note this to acknowledge the variety and range of students, modules, and programmes, and to explain why a one-size-fits-all approach cannot be taken. Particularly where on-campus interaction is concerned, what can be facilitated with a small group is just not viable with larger cohorts.

General Principles 

• Lectures will be delivered live online with recordings provided later, or will be pre-recorded and made available online.
• Tutorials and small-group work will be facilitated online, as appropriate.
• Where class size and health and safety permit, (some/all) lectures, tutorials and computer laboratories may be provided on campus. Recordings or similar will be provided online in this case for those who cannot attend.
• All modules will have some forms of continuous assessment. These may include online MCQs and quizzes, online class tests, assignments and/or projects to be submitted online.
• All examinations will be at distance.
• One does not have to be present on campus for face-to-face interactions between student and lecturer to occur. We are endeavouring to include such interactions in all our modules, whether on campus or online, to enable students to ask questions and obtain support.

School Office

Due to Covid19 restrictions the School Office is currently closed and our staff are working remotely. We are available via email and members of staff will be available for video call appointments should you require it.

Undergraduate queries: mathematicsandstatistics@ucd.ie

Graduate queries: smspostgrads@ucd.ie

Student Enquiry Form