MT1000/MT1002 Mathematical Workshop
- Lecturer:
Dr. Louise Walker - Newman Building 1.24, Extension 55873 - Delivery: Both Semesters for MT1000; Semester Two for MT1002
- Credits: 20 for MT1000; 10 for MT1002
- Lectures: see timetable
- Prerequisites: A-Level Mathematics or equivalent
- Teaching and learning methods: One three-hour workshop per week
- Assessment: Eight projects 95%; Word-processing exercise 2.5%; Group presentations 2.5%
Description
These weekly classes are intended to help students make the transition to studying mathematics at university. The course unit includes a number of projects to be worked on individually and in groups. The projects involve a written report and/or use of MATLAB. Marks will be awarded for presentation as well as mathematical content to encourage the development of good writing habits. There will also be feedback sessions to allow students to reflect on their work. The second semester includes a group presentation.
Aims
The aims of this course are to help students
- improve mathematical writing
- develop important mathematical ideas not covered in other first year modules
- develop mathematical word-processing skills
- develop the use of computers to solve mathematical problems
- develop presentation skills.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will be able to
- work in groups
- write a mathematical argument in a clear and coherent manner
- use Word or an equivalent word-processing package to word-process mathematical text.
- use MatLab to solve equations, plot graphs and work with statistical data
- give a short group presentation.
Teaching and learning methods
Three hours contact time per week made up of one hour lecture followed by two hours of group or individual problem solving. For the group problems students will work in groups of 7 or 8 students. MatLab sessions will take place in the Fairbairn and Lamb computer clusters.
Content
Semester 1
- Week 01 Study skills lecture and teamworking activity
- Week 02 Project 1
- Week 03 Project 2
- Week 04 Project 2
- Week 05 Computer skills and mathematical word-processing
- Week 06 Mid semester break
- Week 07 Introduction to MatLab
- Week 08 Project 3
- Week 09 Project 3
- Week 10 Project 4
- Week 11 Project 4
- Week 12 Lecture on Preparation for Exams and Revision; Matlab assessment.
Semester 2
- Week 01 Introduction to presentations.
- Week 02 Project 5
- Week 03 Project 5
- Week 04 Project 6
- Week 05 Project 6
- Week 06 Project 7
- Week 07 Project 7
- Week 08 Project 7
- Week 09 Presentations
- Week 10 Project 8
- Week 11 Project 8
Recommended Reading
- Devlin, K. Mathematics: The Science of Patterns (Scientific American Library, 1997)
- Eccles, P.J. An Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning (Cambridge University Press, 1997)
- Exner, G.R. An Accompaniment to Higher Mathematics (Springer, 1996)
- Higham, N. J. Handbook of writing for the mathematical sciences (1993)
- Kahn, P. Studying Mathematics and its Applications (Palgrave, 2001)
- Mason, J. Thinking Mathematically (Addison-Wesley, 1985)
- Mason, J. Learning and Doing Mathematics (QED, 1999)
- Polya, G. How to Solve it (Penguin, 1957)
- Smith, R.M. Mastering Mathematics (Brooks/Cole, 1998)
- Stewart, I. and Tall, D. The Foundations of Mathematics (Oxford University Press)