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Unit of study_

MATH3976: Mathematical Computing (Advanced)

2025 unit information

This unit of study provides an introduction to programming and numerical methods. Topics covered include computer arithmetic and computational errors, solution of nonlinear equations, systems of linear equations, numerical integration and differentiation, interpolation and approximation,  initial value problems for ordinary differential equations. This course will cover basic concepts of numerical optimization and applications such as for instance numerical optimization in the rapidly evolving domain of machine learning.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Science

Study level Undergraduate
Academic unit Mathematics and Statistics Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
? 
A mark of 65 or above in [(12 credit points of MATH2XXX) or (6 credit points of MATH2XXX and 6 credit points of STAT2XXX or DATA2X02)]
Corequisites:
? 
None
Prohibitions:
? 
MATH3076 or MATH4076
Assumed knowledge:
? 
Strong skills in linear algebra and the theory and methods of ordinary and partial differential equations for example (MATH2961 and MATH2965) or (MATH2921 and MATH2922)

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

  • LO1. apply the basic ingredients of any programming language including syntax, definition of variables, control structures and memory management
  • LO2. investigate and resolve sources of error in numerical computation
  • LO3. explain how binary and floating-point decimal numbers are represented on a computer
  • LO4. leverage and compute linear operations on data
  • LO5. create numerical routines using fundamental numerical methods to solve computational problems in science, engineering and mathematics
  • LO6. create reports, that combine a description of a practical problem, its numerical framing and the results of computation to solve this problem.

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2024
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2025
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2020
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2021
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2021
Normal day Remote
Semester 1 2022
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2022
Normal day Remote
Semester 1 2023
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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Modes of attendance (MoA)

This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.