Sensitivity of ranks in Norrington Table

Given the availability of raw data, I thought investigating the sensitivity of the Norrington ranking (see my previous post) to degree class (first, 2,1, 2,2, third) distribution would be interesting.

In 2010, the maximum score (79.45%, Magdalen College) is nearly 80%, which is equivalent to a degree class distribution of "50% first, 50% 2.1".  The minimum score is 60.95%, nearly 60%, which is equivalent to a degree class distribution of "100% 2.1".

Oriel has 23 firsts, 49 2.1s, and 7 2.2s, and is ranked 11.  Moving 3 (or 4) people from 2.1 to first would shift Oriel's rank to 7 (or 6).  Moving 9 people from first to 2.1 would shift Oriel's rank to 28. 

Just some pointless diversion to keep my mind active.

History of Engineering Science at Oxford

Lecture 11 is on the history of the Department of Engineering Science at Oxford by Dr Alistair Howatson. The moment with timestamp 54:08, mentioning Dr Donald Walsh of Oriel, is of particular interest to me. (alternative link to Lecture 11)

A History of Engineering Science at Oxford, by Alistair Howatson, was published by the Oxford University Press (ISBN 9780952620822) in 2008.  I have not yet had the pleasure of reading it.

                                                             (photo source)

By the way, "Electrical Properties of Materials", by Laszlo Solymar and Donald Walsh, is now in its eighth edition (2010 edition). It must have been tremendously successful.  I remember, but alas have not mastered,  its first edition (1970 edition), published forty years ago!