Preliminary Examination in Mathematics and Philosophy

Differences from 2016/17 to 2023/24

A

  • 1. The subject of the examination shall be (a) Mathematics, and (b) Philosophy. The syllabus and number of papers shall be prescribed by regulation from time to time by the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Board and the Board of the Faculty of Philosophy.

  • 2. A candidate shall offer both subjects for examination.

  • 3. The Moderators for Mathematics shall include at least two of the Moderators for the Preliminary Examination in Mathematics; the Moderators for Philosophy shall include at least two Moderators nominated by a committee of the Faculty of Philosophy.

  • 4. It shall be the duty of the Chair of Moderators for the Preliminary Examination in Mathematics to nominate such of their number as shall be required to act as Moderators for the Preliminary Examination in Mathematics and Philosophy.

B

  • 1. Candidates shall take five written papers. The titles of the papers shall be:

    • A. Mathematics I (as specified by the Preliminary Examination in Mathematics)

    • B. Mathematics II (as specified by the Preliminary Examination in Mathematics)

    • C. Mathematics III(P)

    • D. Elements of Deductive Logic

      • Subjects to be studied include: propositional and predicate languages; truth tables; Natural Deduction; relations; the critical application of formal logic to the analysis of English sentences and inferences (problems of symbolization; scope, truth-functionality, quantification, identity, descriptions); elementary metatheorems about propositional calculus (including the following topics: expressive adequacy, duality, substitution, interpolation, compactness, consistency, soundness and completeness). Some questions of a mathematical nature will be set.

        These subjects shall be studied in conjunction with Volker Halbach’s Introduction to Logic manual, published by Oxford University Press. The logical symbols to be used are those found in this publication. Philosophical questions about logic may be studied by reading Mark Sainsbury, Logical Forms, 1st or 2nd edition (Blackwell), Chapters 1-2.

    • E. Introduction to Philosophy

      The paper shall consist of two parts:

      • 1. General Philosophy Subjects to be studied include are: knowledge; andskepticism; scepticism,perception; induction,; the relation between mind and body,; personal identity,; free will, and God and evil. Candidates will have; the opportunity, but will not be required, to show first-hand knowledgeproblem of Descartes’ Meditations and Hume’s An Enquiry concerning Human Understandingevil.

      • 2. Frege This section shall be studied in connection with Frege Foundations of Arithmetic, trans. J. L. Austin, Blackwell, 1980. This section, while not being confined to the detailed views of the author of the set text, will be satisfactorily answerable by a candidate who has made a critical study of the text. There will not be a compulsory question containing passages for comment.

    • Candidates will be required to attempt four questions, and answer at least one question from Part 1 and at least one question from Part 2.

  • 2. Candidates shall be deemed to have passed the examination if they have satisfied the Moderators in all five papers A-E either at a single examination or at two examinations in accordance with the proviso of cl 3.

  • 3. A candidate who fails to satisfy the Moderators in one or two of papers A-E may offer the papers failed on one, and only one, subsequent occasion. A candidate who fails to satisfy the Moderators in three or more of papers A-E may offer all five papers on one, and only one, subsequent occasion, except that a candidate who fails to satisfy the Moderators in all of papers A-C, but who has satisfied the Moderators in papers D and E, may offer papers A-C only on one, and only one, subsequent occasion.

  • 4. The Moderators may award a distinction to candidates of special merit who have passed all five written papers at a single examination.

  • 5. The syllabus for each paper in Mathematics shall be published by the Mathematical Institute inon athe handbookdepartmental for candidateswebsite by the beginning of the Michaelmas Full Term in the academic year of the examination, after consultation with the Mathematics Teaching Committee.

  • 6. The use of hand held pocket calculators is generally not permitted but certain kinds may be permitted for some papers. Specifications of which papers and which types of calculator are permitted for those papers will be announced by the Moderators in the Hilary Term preceding the examination.