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Unit outline_

MATH1050: Mathematics Toolbox for Science

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Mathematics is a powerful tool in Science. It is used to interpret observations, to formulate predictions, create models, refine theory and communicate scientific reasoning in many disciplines. In this unit you will learn how Mathematical ideas are applied across Science. You will see that Mathematics plays a fundamental role in the Life and Environmental Sciences, in Medicine and in Health, as well as in physical sciences. You will meet familiar ideas such as calculus and exponentials now put to work to solve practical scientific problems, and you will be introduced to powerful new concepts such as matrices and differential equations. You will use public domain technology to perform calculations, do algebra and draw graphs which will enable you to work on interesting real-world scenarios. At the end of this unit you will be equipped to use mathematical ideas confidently in the disciplinary and interdisciplinary contexts that you will meet in your degree and beyond. This unit is designed to complement DATA1001 in the Science core. Students intending to major in Physics or Chemistry are recommended to take MATH1021 and MATH1002. Students majoring in Mathematics, Statistics or Financial Mathematics and Statistics must take MATH1021 and MATH1002.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Mathematics and Statistics Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
MATH1061 or MATH1961 or MATH1971 or MATH1062 or MATH1962 or MATH1972 or MATH1002 or MATH1021 or MATH1023 or MATH1921 or MATH1902 or MATH1923 or MATH1933 or MATH1931 or (MATH1011 and MATH1014) or (MATH1013 and MATH1014) or (MATH1011 and MATH1013) or MATH1001 or MATH1003 or MATH1901 or MATH1906 or MATH1903 or MATH1907
Assumed knowledge
? 

NSW HSC Mathematics Advanced

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Nathan Duignan, nathan.duignan@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Martin Wechselberger, martin.wechselberger@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final Exam
Multiple choice and written calculations
50% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Small test Weekly quizzes 1-2
#earlyfeedbacktask
2% Week 03
Due date: 18 Aug 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 18 Aug 2024
40 minutes/week
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Short release assignment Assignment 1
Written calculations and Mathematica work.
5% Week 04
Due date: 22 Aug 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 01 Sep 2024
2-4 pages.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4
Online task Mid-Semester Quiz
Multiple choice quiz
15% Week 07
Due date: 12 Sep 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 12 Sep 2024
50 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Short release assignment Assignment 2
Small project with written calculations and Mathematica work.
10% Week 09
Due date: 26 Sep 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 06 Oct 2024
4-6 pages.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Short release assignment Assignment 3
Small project with written calculations, Mathematica work.
10% Week 13
Due date: 31 Oct 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 10 Nov 2024
4-6 pages.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Small test Weekly Quizzes
Multiple choice questions
6% Weekly 40 minutes/week
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Participation Workshops
Participation in workshops
2% Weekly 2 hours/week
Outcomes assessed: LO4

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

  • Assignments:  There are three short release assignments. Each must be submitted electronically, as one single typeset or scanned PDF file only, via Canvas by the deadline. Note that your assignment will not be marked if it is illegible or if it is submitted sideways or upside down. It is your responsibility to check that your assignment has been submitted correctly and that it is complete (check that you can view each page). Late submissions will receive a penalty. A mark of zero will be awarded for all submissions more than 10 days past the original due date. Further extensions past this time will not be permitted. The maximum extension you can be awarded through Special Consideration for the assignments is 7 calendar days. If you are affected for more than 7 calendar days you will be granted a mark adjustment. This means that your final exam mark will count instead for the assignment mark. The closing date for submissions (with a late penalty) is the same for all students. It is not changed if you are granted an extension. This allows for timely release of the marks and feedback. Note that the assignments are not eligible for a Simple Extension through the Special Consideration system since they are short release assignments (released to you to complete within 10 working days).
  • Quiz: One quiz will be held online through Canvas. The quiz is 50 minutes and has to be submitted by the closing time of 23:59 on the due date. The quiz can be taken any time during the 24 hour period before the closing time. The better mark principle will be used for the quiz so do not submit an application for Special Consideration or Special Arrangements if you miss a quiz. The better mark principle means that the quiz counts if and only if it is better than or equal to your exam mark. If your quiz mark is less than your exam mark, the exam mark will be used for that portion of your assessment instead. No extensions will be granted for the quiz. If you are granted Special Consideration the outcome is a mark adjustment where the exam mark will count instead.
  • Online Quizzes: There are ten weekly online quizzes (equally weighted) and the marks for the best eight count. The first two are used for the Early Feedback TaskEach online quiz consists of a set of randomized questions. You should not apply for special consideration for the quizzes. The better mark principle will apply for the total 8% - i.e. if your overall exam mark is higher, then your 8% for the Webwork quizzes will come from your exam. The deadline for completion of each quiz is 23:59 on Sunday (starting in week 2). The precise schedule for the quizzes is found on Canvas. We recommend that you follow the due dates outlined above to gain the most benefit from these quizzes.
  • Workshop Participation: This is a satisfactory/non-satisfactory mark assessing whether or not you participate in class activities during the workshops. It is 0.25 marks per tutorial class up to 8 tutorials (there are 12 workshops).
  • Final Examination: The final exam for this unit is compulsory and must be attempted. Failure to attempt the final exam will result in an AF grade for the course. Further information about the exam will be made available at a later date on Canvas. If a second replacement exam is required, this exam may be delivered via an alternative assessment method, such as a viva voce (oral exam). The alternative assessment will meet the same learning outcomes as the original exam. The format of the alternative assessment will be determined by the unit coordinator.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Representing complete or close to complete mastery of the material.

Distinction

75 - 84

Representing excellence, but substantially less than complete mastery.

Credit

65 - 74

Representing a creditable performance that goes beyond routine knowledge and understanding, but less than excellence.

Pass

50 - 64

Representing at least routine knowledge and understanding over a spectrum of topics and important ideas and concepts in the course.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Mathematical basics (Algebra with software, changing subjects of formulae, orders of magnitude, numbers, etc). Periodic functions. Curve fitting. Applications. Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Exponentials, exponential growth and decay, changing from one base to another, doubling time. Applications. Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 03 Logarithms to base 10, 2, and e. Logarithmic processes, log-log and log-lin plots, pH and pKa. Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 04 Complex numbers. Vectors. Applications. Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 05 Matrices: basic arithmetic, linear equations, population models and graph theory Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 06 Eigenvectors and eigenvalues, Leslie matrix models of populations. Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Continuous change: the derivative as a measure of change. Approximations to the derivative. Higher order derivatives: rates of change of rate of change. Applications. Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 08 Continuous accumulation: the integral as a measure of accumulation, calculating averages and weighted averages, rates of accumulation, links between differentiation and integration, functions defined as integrals. Applications. Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Functions of two variables, graphing functions of two variables: surface and contour plots. Partial derivatives. Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 10 Differential equations, exponential growth, logistic growth, interpretation of DEs without a solution. Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 11 Systems of differential equations, epidemiological models, spread of infectious diseases Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Approximation: Approximating a curve with a line, or another curve. Building models. Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3

Attendance and class requirements

  • Lecture attendance: You are expected to attend lectures. If you do not attend lectures you should at least follow the lecture recordings available through Canvas.
  • Workshop attendance: Workshops (one per week) start in Week 1. You should attend the workshop given on your personal timetable. Attendance at workshops and participation will be recorded to determine the participation mark. Your attendance will not be recorded unless you attend the workshop in which you are enrolled. We strongly recommend you attend workshops regularly to keep up with the material and to engage with the tutorial questions.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Perform appropriate mathematical operations both with pen-and-paper and using suitable software
  • LO2. Apply mathematical ideas to analysing problems in science and medicine
  • LO3. Determine where a mathematical approach is required in scientific problem solving and what that approach should be
  • LO4. Communicate mathematical ideas clearly and correctly in written and spoken form

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.
  • Lectures: Lectures are face-to-face and recorded. The recordings can be accessed after the lecture from Canvas.
  • Workshops:  Workshops start in Week 1. Workshops are small classes in which you are expected to work through questions from the tutorial sheet in small groups on the white board. The role of the tutor is to provide support and to some extent give feedback on your solutions written on the board. You will need access to Mathematica which is freely available through the university.
  • Tutorial and exercise sheets: The question sheets for a given week will be available on the MATH1050 Canvas page. Solutions to tutorial exercises for week n will usually be posted on the web by the afternoon of the Friday of week n.
  • Ed Discussion forum: https://edstem.org

 

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.