Matroids and Geometric Invariant Theory of torus actions on flag spaces

We apply a theorem of Gel'fand, Goresky, MacPherson, and Serganova about matroid polytopes to study semistability of partial flags relative to a T-linearized ample line bundle of a flag space F = SL(n)/P where T is a maximal torus in SL(n) and P is a parabolic subgroup containing T. We find that the semistable points are all detected by invariant sections of degree one regardless of the line bundle or linearization thereof, provided there exists at least one nonzero invariant section of degree one. In this case the degree one sections are sufficient to give a well defined map from the G.I.T. quotient F//T to projective space. Additionally, we show that the closure of any T-orbit in SL(n)/P is a projectively normal toric variety for any projective embedding of SL(n)/P.Comment: 14 page

Documentary video dissertation in American Studies

The production of documentary videos has been an innovative and dynamic feature of course delivery in the Department of American and Canadian Studies. The Department is now building on this experience to introduce an audio-visual documentary dissertation as an option for Single Honours students. The project examines - Design of a WebCT course and further training elements to support students in the making of the documentary video dissertation. They will also develop a training programme in documentary video production, including camerawork, storyboarding and editing techniques - Creation of a WebCT course to support training and documentary dissertation, and a linked website to chart progres

Current Information: Dissertation Abstracts

Agribusiness,

Current Information: Dissertation Abstracts

Community/Rural/Urban Development,

A Unified Dissertation on Bearing Rigidity Theory

This work focuses on the bearing rigidity theory, namely the branch of knowledge investigating the structural properties necessary for multi-element systems to preserve the inter-units bearings when exposed to deformations. The original contributions are twofold. The first one consists in the definition of a general framework for the statement of the principal definitions and results that are then particularized by evaluating the most studied metric spaces, providing a complete overview of the existing literature about the bearing rigidity theory. The second one rests on the determination of a necessary and sufficient condition guaranteeing the rigidity properties of a given multi-element system, independently of its metric space

Dissertation: issues in guidance, supervision and assessment

This guide explores some key issues concerning the supervision and assessment of dissertations. It explores the definition of a ‘dissertation’ in this context, preparing students to undertake dissertation work, the supervision process itself and the preparation of supervisors. Finally, it explores some issues around the marking criteria and the assessment process. It argues primarily for clear guidance for both students and staff, particularly in relation to criteria for assessment, and for much closer attention to the interpretation of those criteria by assessors