MATH10001 - 2011/2012
- Title: Mathematical Workshop
- Unit code: MATH10001
- Credits: 10
- Prerequisites: A-Level Mathematics
- Co-requisite units: None
- School responsible: Mathematics
- Members of staff responsible: Dr. Louise Walker
Specification
Aims
The aims of this course unit are to help students
- to improve mathematical modelling and problem solving skills;
- to develop mathematical writing and presentation skills;
- to introduce students to the computer software package MATLAB.
Brief Description of the unit
These weekly classes are intended to help students experience a wide range of mathematical topics. The course unit includes a number of projects to be worked on individually and in groups. The projects are assessed via a written report. Marks will be awarded for presentation as well as mathematical content to encourage the development of good writing habits.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course unit students will be able to
- understand the process of mathematical modelling and problem solving;
- work in groups;
- write clear and accurate mathematical reports;
- use MATLAB to solve mathematical problems and plot graphs.
Future topics requiring this course unit
This course unit is not a formal prerequisite for later courses but the approaches to problem solving with be beneficial in later Mathematical study.
Content
- Week 1: Introduction to the course
- Weeks 2-5: Introduction to MATLAB and numerical methods
- Week 6: Mid semester break
- Week 7: Introduction to modelling and problem solving
- Weeks 8-9: Project 1
- Weeks 10-11: Project 2
- Week 12: Test
Textbooks
- Giordano, F, A First Course in Mathematical Modeling (Brookes-Cole, 1985)
- Hanselman, D Mastering Matlab (Prentice Hall 1995)
- Devlin, K. Mathematics: The Science of Patterns (Scientific American Library, 1997)
- Higham, N. J. Handbook of writing for the mathematical sciences (SIAM, 1993)
- Mason, J. Thinking Mathematically (Addison-Wesley, 1985)
- Polya, G. How to Solve it (Penguin, 1957
Teaching and learning methods
Three hours contact time per week made up of one hour lecture followed by two hours of problem solving in groups. In addition students are expected to do at least five hours private study each week on this course unit.
Assessment
-
MATLAB assignments 30%
Project 1 30%
Project 2 30%
Test 10%