BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 06:28 PM

Brevity is the soul of wit.

Edit yourself my young apprentice. You'll bet there.

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 05:29 PM

No, sorry Jack, to be even considered witty you need to be remotely close to the truth. Stuff about Darwin's witnesses knocking at the door is within the bounds of believability. You having any amount of good taste is beyond the realms of fantasy. You practising for a screenwriters position on Game of Thrones by any chance?

:D

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 05:21 PM

>>I like your comment though. Sort of like a copy of my joke. Keep practicing and you may even work out that it may need a clever bit to be considered witty.

DtG <<

Yet you prove my point.

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 05:19 PM

No, Jack. I know what I meant to say.

I like your comment though. Sort of like a copy of my joke. Keep practicing and you may even work out that it may need a clever bit to be considered witty.

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 05:11 PM

"Is that Quebecan cider like the stuff they sell in Normandy? Sort of like proper English stuff but without the taste ;-)


DtG "

I think what you mean to say is that an Englishman is like a Canadian but without the taste. ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 11:54 AM

Is that Quebecan cider like the stuff they sell in Normandy? Sort of like proper English stuff but without the taste ;-)

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: Musket
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 07:56 AM

I'd need a Gaviscon chaser with either...

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: Mr Red
Date: 14 Apr 14 - 07:47 AM

looks like the Mudcat tavern talk has strayed beyond the OP. Where is that guy shouting "But what about the original subject ......" when you need him?

Now barman - give me a Rye and Dry - Canadian Club if you mind, though I will have a Quebecan cider by preference if you have it.

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 09 Apr 14 - 12:46 PM

Obviously you are a MAuppie or even an Ouppie but If you drink Scotch at Lake Louise, you certainly breath the same rarefied air.

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: GUEST,Musket
Date: 09 Apr 14 - 11:45 AM

Looks like my admiration of Lake Louise pays dividends.

I have always aspired to being a yuppie. Never in my wildest dreams did I realise I walked amongst them.

Can't wait to get there next winter then.

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 09 Apr 14 - 11:31 AM

True, True, but I'm not on a direct route to Florida so no Canadian will ever find me in this great big beautiful land. :-D

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: GUEST,Musket
Date: 09 Apr 14 - 09:35 AM

Shh!

You are giving Canada's secrets away!

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 09 Apr 14 - 08:48 AM

The barman reckons there is no demand for local stuff. (The barman reckons there is no demand for local stuff.

Nothin but snooty yuppies at Lake Louise. And barmen trained not to spoil the joke. You know you cam make your own Scotch, ethyl alcohol and liquid smoke.

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: GUEST,Musket
Date: 09 Apr 14 - 08:04 AM

Jack had obviously never been in a chippy when visiting our shores. Fries are those weird foreign things young people buy in McDonalds and similar places.

Canadian whiskey? Try just typing oxymoron. Less characters to input.

Deer Lodge at Lake Louise boasts over 300 whiskeys and whiskys. The barman reckons there is no demand for local stuff. (One of my favourite places to stay when keeping an eye on the colonies.)

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 08 Apr 14 - 09:31 PM

7. Beating the Germans? Our, note the word our Queen is a bloody German.

Part of the fracking problem.

Canadian whiskey is far superior to that disinfectant and liquid smoke joke that the Scots play on the unsuspecting yuppies of the world.

GIs, yeah it was just the GIs, Juno beach was taken by soldiers from Michigan.

Chip? MtheGM? They are called FRENCH FRIES! CHIPs are little scraps of wood. (or crispsy potato or corn. )

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Apr 14 - 07:22 PM

The Uni existed earlier - I was talking about a Chair in some form of Mathematics, as a means to keep muccipeedia in its place.

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: Musket
Date: 08 Apr 14 - 09:54 AM

1. It's Great Britain not Briton. Sounds like Breton that does, and that is in the land of
the garlic eating surrender monkeys.

2. The word Scotch is superfluous, as whiskey and whisky are geographically different.

3. If GIs helped us beat Germany the last time, they certainly were up to their usual trick of joining in at the end to take the spoils as no American helped us in 1966. An Azerbaijani referee did his bit though....

4. Curling is a fringe sport for odd people who enjoy getting cold. If they were good at it, they'd prove it by taking up crown bowls. Now there's skill.....

5. Fight it all you like mate, we are both loyal subjects. Odd to think we are a form of custard cousins but there you go.......

6. And finally

7. Beating the Germans? Our, note the word our Queen is a bloody German.

8. Gawd bless her, luvaduk.



Science geek. Cambridge. 1209.

Some older than that in Johnny Foreigner Land apparently.

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 08 Apr 14 - 09:44 AM

Sciencegeek ~~ Both Oxford & Cambridge universities are older. Both have colleges chartered earlier than the date you give for Prague: University College, Oxford, 1249; Peterhouse, Cambridge, 1284. These are the earliest absolutely ascertainable dates; but there were certainly academic foundations in both cities before the collegiate system, of which these are probably the oldest representatives, evolved. Tradition has it that Oxford was founded by Alfred the Great in the late 9th C [about 884]; Cambridge is said to have been founded by a King of Portugal in 915 [tho why he should have been around those parts t the time I have never quite made out!]. These dates probably mythical; but the collegiate charters mentioned above are verifiable.

~M~

Could that be some sort of a chip peeping out on your shoulder there, Jack? Perish the thought!

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 08 Apr 14 - 09:27 AM

Check your passport. Your blue blooded monarch too, last time she looked.

That is what I meant by this.

The rest of the world doesn't care anymore.

the only thing anyone has to know about Great Briton is that Scotch Whiskey, Golf and Curling come from there and that they beat the Germans twice with a ton of help from North America.

Who was diddling who in the throne room is just silly soap opera.

As I said, lean some real history. Learn some history with real consequences. ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: GUEST,sciencegeek
Date: 08 Apr 14 - 08:57 AM

If it's bragging rights you want... best concede to the Continent.

The University in Prague was founded by a charter issued on 7 April 1348 by Charles IV, King of Bohemia and King of the Romans, as the first Studium generale north of the Alps and east of Paris.

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 08 Apr 14 - 07:37 AM

Yes, very sad indeed.

Apology accepted Michael and I apologise if I gave the impression of being dismissive of a subject obviously close to you.

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: GUEST,Musket
Date: 08 Apr 14 - 01:53 AM

Check your passport. Your blue blooded monarch too, last time she looked.

Aside. Peaches Geldof. So young, the world at her feet and a young family. Awful for them. Truly tragic.

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Apr 14 - 07:32 PM

The Savilian Chair of Geometry was founded alongside the Savilian Chair of Astronomy in 1619. One assumes from those subjects that the chairs of Arithmetic and Music already existed, as this is so far back Scientific Method hadn't even been sorted out yet.

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 07 Apr 14 - 05:15 PM

Yes it predates the country it happened to be in. Learn some history that doesn't have to do with your blue blooded monarchs inbreeding and infighting. The rest of the world doesn't care anymore.

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 07 Apr 14 - 05:12 PM

Yeah, tragic.

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 07 Apr 14 - 05:11 PM

Greatly grieved at latest tragedy to strike the admirable Mr Geldof.

DtG -- Really do regret you should have found my tone sneering; something I try hard never to do. Shall obviously have to try even harder. Sorry indeed.

~Michael~

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 07 Apr 14 - 04:23 PM

Thank you, JtS.
I watched the teatime news, so knew what to expect before clicking on your link.

So young, so sudden.

R.I.P.

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: GUEST,Chancellor Musket
Date: 07 Apr 14 - 04:16 PM

Harvard predates the country it happens to be in?

Leave a bucket of yoghurt to its own devices for 340 years and it develops a culture.

I like this. When I've finished with USA I can start on Canada and don't have to change target.

Plenty of old chestnuts where that came from me old footballer.

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 07 Apr 14 - 03:43 PM

Breaking News.

Now is not the day to besmirch Peaches.

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 07 Apr 14 - 03:30 PM

Whyfor thine shame? Anonymity be thine protective cloak. Iffith thy were to simply blame a former member, perchance a Hammond or a Murdoch, none would be the wiser.

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Apr 14 - 03:14 PM

Can't believe I misspelled surprise. Death, where is thy sting?

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 07 Apr 14 - 03:07 PM

America was always here, for tens of millions of years at least, long before your little trade school on the Thames, my olde tubesock. It just hadn't been named yet.   

Both schools predate the country to which your joke undeniably refers.

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 07 Apr 14 - 03:01 PM

Oh, some grow peaches. Snigger.

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 07 Apr 14 - 02:58 PM

I think you will find, Michael, that my first post on this topic was not one of disinterest but one which picked up on a very interesting, to me, slip of the keyboard which resulted in the rather humourous phrase 'Invited the abacus'. In fact, far from saying that it was uninteresting, my follow on to that was "Your question is purely academic in itself Michael. Who really gives a toss what is taught at Oxford, apart from other academics?" A question, showing interest in why you find it important.

My second post was an admission that I will probably not get it and your explanation is still obscure to me. I cannot help it I'm afraid. Those of us without the benefit of a degree in English can find your terminology difficult at times. There is no need sneer at those less fortunate than yourself. Why you should to take offence and accuse me of self-importance is also something that goes over my head. Then again, as a Gnome, most things do. Feel free to explain why it is important. Or not. But please don't sneer.

Thanks

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: Musket
Date: 07 Apr 14 - 02:46 PM

Didn't realise Harvard was built by native Americans. The tuppenny rush at the pictures on a Saturday morning as a child taught me they just built wigwams, put their ear to the ground and called the hero Kemo Sabay....

We don't grow peaches either. We buy them at Waitrose.

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 07 Apr 14 - 02:36 PM

Same could be said of Harvard my dear man. Here, have a hanky. Be a peach and try to wipe off some of that hubris you are dribbling down your chin.

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: Musket
Date: 07 Apr 14 - 02:21 PM

On that transatlantic subject...

There is a story, possibly grown in the making that an American tourist was touring The Bodleian Library at Oxford, and impressed by the architecture, asked the porter if it was pre war.

It is pre America, came the reply.

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Apr 14 - 01:39 PM

"... the name of one of the constituent colleges which, taken together, constitute that august body."

Well, there's yer problem. If the school is only operating one month a year, it's a surprize they're teaching anything at all.

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: GUEST,sciencegeek
Date: 07 Apr 14 - 01:32 PM

I take it that sums is the shorthand for arithmatic on your side of the pond.

I may have encountered it in some older books... just as I have found receipt used in place of recipe.

here in the USA we have reading, writing & 'rithmatic... LOL

or did until they came up with New Math... WTF???

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 07 Apr 14 - 12:51 PM

Thank you, Bill, for your appreciative comment. Happy to have been of service.

~Michael~

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 07 Apr 14 - 12:46 PM

DtG: Always exercised at the inexplicable perversity of those who post for the express purpose of telling us how uninteresting the topic in hand is to their oh-so-important selves. These threads are full of things that do not matter to me; and sometimes I cannot see why they matter to anybody. But I see no point in saying so, as I can't see why such a view of them on my part should matter to their posters or his target audience. So why bother to tell us of your uninterest? It doesn't matter to anyone in MtheGMland. Or on Mudcat either, presumably, in this particular. Why should it?

~M~

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: Bill D
Date: 07 Apr 14 - 12:33 PM

Thanks very much MtheGm... that is an excellent explanation. There are various forms of 'special studies' in American colleges, but usually not the carefully crafted sort you refer to.... although many smaller, private schools do have programs designed around some students' interest- usually in liberal arts.
I do wish my own school(s) had done something similar. I might have gone further instead of of just being one 'product' of an academic assembly line.

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 07 Apr 14 - 12:19 PM

I probably don't get it because I still cannot see why it matters. Sorry, M. That is just the way of things in Gnomeland.

Bert - Yes, you are right on both counts. However, a degree in Maths is a BSC or MSC IE - Bachelor or Master of Science. Back to my original point. Still doesn't matter. I ain't got one. Good luck to those who do :-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: Bert
Date: 07 Apr 14 - 11:51 AM

DtG, mathematics is not a science at all.
The short word for arithmetic is SUMS.

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 07 Apr 14 - 08:16 AM

Yes, Bill: 'read' is the idiomatic synonym in UK universities for 'study' a specific subject. I myself 'read' [ie studied for a degree in] English at Cambridge, 1952-55. The Cambridge degree is awarded by the University as a whole, but each person studying ('reading') does so as a member of, and under the auspices of, one of the University's constituent colleges (Christ's College, founded 1505, in my case, in common with predecessors such as Milton & Darwin, & successors such as Sacha Baron Cohen). Teaching is provided both by the university in the form of public lectures arranged by the faculty, and at college level by individual supervision by one's Director of Studies or a supervisor appointed by him.

I should have thought a similar system would have existed in the 1960s at Oxford, whereby his college, if it did not have a tutor responsible for Maths, could have arranged for the young Mr Hawking to go elsewhere for individual tutorials or supervisions by someone else within the university. There are always hundreds of research students crying out for the income which can be gained by undertaking such a task.

Again, as some still don't seem to be getting the point [eg Dave the Gnome at 0614]:- the "Univ, Oxford" referred to in the thread title does not mean "Oxford University", but "University College, Oxford", the name of one of the constituent colleges which, taken together, constitute that august body.

~M~

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: GUEST,Musket
Date: 07 Apr 14 - 01:09 AM

In fucking vented.

iPad for sale.

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: Bill D
Date: 06 Apr 14 - 10:15 PM

Thank you sciencegeek.... it always amuses me when someone won't answer the basic question if I don't spell it or phrase it using their particular dialect.

Thank you also, MtheGM for giving me the 'almost' clear answer. I did some searches and found this page, which 'seems' to say that 'reading for' basically indicates studying and 'taking a prescribed number of classes'. I did not pursue the issue long enough to determine whether that needs more explication.

I'd ask here, but probably would not express my question in a manner that would elicit an answer suitable for a coarse, semi-literate colonial. I shall endeavor to console myself with a short dip into Chaucer.

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 06 Apr 14 - 09:14 PM

It doesn't seem that the lack of a math tutor has hurt the young Mr. Hawking much.

I'm am very happy for all of you if this is the worst thing y'all have to moan about.

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: sciencegeek
Date: 06 Apr 14 - 08:04 PM

two countries separated by a common language.... LOL too true

in the US, schools offer mathematics, referred to as math for short. arithmatic stays the same - no simple shorthand for it.

if you want a degree in a specialty, you declare your major and then take the required courses to obtain your BA or BS, etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Why no Maths at Univ, Oxford?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 06 Apr 14 - 06:14 PM

No, I think 'Invited the abacus' is a suitably academic concept:-)

But back to the thread. Maybe Oxford never felt the need to offer a Maths degree? My eldest lad studied Maths and Philosophy at Keele, suitable bizarre in itself, but I learned from that that Maths is not the exact science I was led to believe at school.

Your question is purely academic in itself Michael. Who really gives a toss what is taught at Oxford, apart from other academics?

Cheers

DtG