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MATH120 Introductory Mathematical Methods in Science and Economics

Updated: 15 January 2013
Credit Points 6
Offering
Responsible Campus Teaching Period Mode of Study
Armidale Trimester 1 Off Campus
Armidale Trimester 1 On Campus
Armidale Trimester 2 Off Campus
Armidale Trimester 2 On Campus
Intensive School(s)
Start Finish Attendance Notes
16 February 2013 18 February 2013 Non-Mandatory
27 August 2013 29 August 2013 Non-Mandatory
Supervised Exam There is a UNE Supervised Examination held at the end of the teaching period in which you are enrolled.
Pre-requisites None
Co-requisites None
Restrictions MATH101 or MATH102 or MATH110 or MATH170 or MATH180
Notes

Students contemplating enrolment in MATH120 who are not familiar with the content of advanced (or 2 unit) mathematics in NSW or its equivalent should contact staff in the School of Science and Technology at mathsenquiries@une.edu.au before enrolling. In your e-mail please state your course of study and your mathematics background.
Combined Units None
Coordinator(s)
Unit Description

This unit forms a cornerstone unit for students not majoring in Mathematics or Statistics and is designed to provide the required mathematical background for study in life and social sciences, and economics. The unit provides an introduction to mathematical methods with calculus. Students enrolling in this unit are normally expected to be familiar with the content of advanced (or 2 unit) mathematics in NSW or its equivalent. Students who have done well at general mathematics in NSW or its equivalent can expect to master this unit but must be willing to make the additional effort required. Topics covered include: elementary algebra of matrices and applications, elementary theory of functions, logarithms and exponentials with applications to science and economics, basic linear programming, introduction to differential and integral calculus and optimisation techniques for functions of one or more variables. Emphasis is placed on mathematics as a tool in quantitative modelling, as illustrated by specific applications.
Important Information

Where calculators are permitted in examinations, it must be selected from an approved list, which can be accessed from the Further Information link below.

Further information
Recommended Material
Optional 		Text(s):

Note: Recommended material is held in the University Library - purchase is optional

Mathematical Methods for Science and Economics
ISBN: 9781442555631
Goldstein, L.J. and Haeussler, E., Pearson 2nd ed. 2011
Text refers to: Trimester 1 and 2 , On and Off Campus
Disclaimer Unit information may be subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Assessment
Title Exam Length Weight Mode No. Words
Assignment 30%
Assessment Notes
Eleven weekly homework assignments (including two computer-based (Excel) assignments) comprised of problem-based assessment tasks
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 GA: 1, 6
Final Examination 2 hrs 70%
Assessment Notes
Students must achieve 50% on the exam to pass this unit
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 GA: 1, 6

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. demonstrate proficiency in algebra of matrices and functions;
  2. apply algebra of matrices and functions to quantitative modelling for science and economics;
  3. demonstrate ability to apply learned techniques to basic quantitative problems;
  4. demonstrate proficiency in the calculus of derivatives and integrals;
  5. apply calculus in real-world problems of optimisation; and
  6. demonstrate ability to formulate mathematical models of optimisation based on given data.

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1 Knowledge of a Discipline
Knowledge gained by the student in lectures will be applied in collaboration with the tutor to problems and examples in tutorials. The student will then map this experience onto further problem-solving tasks in assignments, where the identification of central concepts in the discipline, and the student's ability to articulate them will be assessed. 		True True True
5 Life-Long Learning
The student will discover the breadth of the discipline through this introductory unit and will become aware of its ongoing development as a tool of higher research. 		True True
6 Problem Solving
The student will encounter in this unit a field of knowledge that is intensely problem-based and will acquire skill in translating verbal and numerical information into mathematical formulae on which quantitative models are based. 		True True True
8 Team Work
Students will be encouraged to participate in interactive discussion with other students regarding ideas and problems addressed in the unit. Written assignment submissions must be the student's own work, but may be the outcome of group discussion. 		True True
   

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