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Unit outline_

MATH1100: Power of Number A

Semester 1, 2024 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit provides an introductory level of mathematics for students in the initial phase of a tertiary level program. Beginning with the number system, this unit develops understanding of basic algebra and equations, and gives an introduction to functions including the quadratic, exponential and logarithmic functions. The various uses of mathematics by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples for community agency, cultural knowledge management and practice, business enterprise, creative industries and research are incorporated in this unit, along with an emphasis on the roles of narrative and discovery. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lecturers and speakers will be involved in the delivery of this unit and culture-centred, case studies will feature throughout to demonstrate linkages between learning and future practice.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Mathematics and Statistics Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator David Easdown, david.easdown@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Project 3
Research report on a topic of choice from block 3.
20% Formal exam period
Due date: 21 Jun 2024 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6
Assignment Reflective task
reflection on semester work and achievements
5% STUVAC
Due date: 31 May 2024 at 23:59
500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Homework 1
solving practice problems
1.5% Week 02
Due date: 23 Feb 2024 at 23:59
one or two pages
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Homework 2
solving practice problems
1.5% Week 03
Due date: 01 Mar 2024 at 23:59
one or two pages
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Homework 3
solving practice problems
2% Week 05
Due date: 15 Mar 2024 at 23:59
one or two pages
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Homework 4
solving practice problems
2% Week 06
Due date: 22 Mar 2024 at 23:59
one or two pages
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment group assignment Project 1
Presentation on a topic of choice from block 1 along with research report.
25% Week 07
Due date: 10 Apr 2024 at 23:59
1000 words and up to 5 min presentation
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Tutorial quiz Quiz
In class quiz
10% Week 07 30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO5 LO4 LO3
Assignment Homework 5
solving practice problems
2% Week 08
Due date: 19 Apr 2024 at 23:59
one or two pages
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Homework 6
solving practice problems
2% Week 09
Due date: 26 Apr 2024 at 23:59
one or two pages
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Homework 7
solving practice problems
2% Week 11
Due date: 10 May 2024 at 23:59
one or two pages
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Homework 8
solving practice problems
2% Week 12
Due date: 17 May 2024 at 23:59
one or two pages
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment group assignment Project 2
Presentation on a topic of choice from block 2 along with research report.
25% Week 13
Due date: 22 May 2024 at 23:59
1000 words and up to 5 min presentation
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO6
group assignment = group assignment ?

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

There are three projects, 8 homework tasks and a reflective task.

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

At HD level, a student demonstrates a flair for the subject as well as a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates the ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding to produce original solutions for novel or highly complex problems and/or comprehensive critical discussions of theoretical concepts.

Distinction

75 - 84

At DI level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the unit material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding of the subject to produce good solutions for challenging problems and/or a reasonably well-developed critical analysis of theoretical concepts.

Credit

65 - 74

At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad general understanding of the unit material and can solve routine problems and/or identify and superficially discuss theoretical concepts.

Pass

50 - 64

At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the unit material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory achievement and is awarded to a student who has threshold knowledge.

Fail

0 - 49

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

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The usual penalties may apply for late submission.

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 Introduction to unit of study, preliminaries and gaining fluency with numbers Block teaching (6 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 07 Developing fluency with coordinate geometry and functions Block teaching (6 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 13 Developing fluency with important functions, including quadratic, exponential and logarithmic functions, with applications. Block teaching (6 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

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. Understand the role of narrative and collaboration in the development of mathematics, and appreciating the importance and value of a range of viewpoints.
  • LO2. Use existing knowledge and cultural perspectives to incorporate expanded understandings of mathematical concepts and logic; use these to solve mathematical problems and express mathematical ideas coherently in written and oral form.
  • LO3. Demonstrate fluency in manipulating real numbers, their symbolic representations, operations, and solve associated algebraic equations.
  • LO4. Develop fluency with lines, coordinate geometry in two dimensions, the notion of a function, its natural domain, range and graph.
  • LO5. Become conversant with elementary functions, including quadratic, exponential, logarithmic and be able to apply them to real phenomena and to yield solutions of associated equations.
  • LO6. Understand the links between learning and industry, professional and/or personal practice.

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.

This is the third time this unit has been offered.

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.