Key facts
UNE unit code: MTHS120
*You are viewing the 2027 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Trimester 1 - On Campus
- Trimester 1 - Online
- Trimester 2 - On Campus
- Trimester 2 - Online
- Armidale Campus
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- 6
Unit information
In an increasingly data-driven world, the importance of quantitative skills has never been greater. This unit is ideal if you do not have a strong mathematical background or you would like a refresher in foundational topics.
Developing your mathematical understanding of core quantitative skills and the importance of mathematics to science, this unit will empower you to confidently apply basic mathematics as a scientist, and ensures you have the knowledge needed for beginner-level university maths.
Building on topics from NSW’s HSC General Mathematics (or equivalent), we start with a solid foundation in algebraic concepts and functions before moving on to more advanced units.
You will learn to graph functions and solve a range of equations (e.g. linear, quadratic, polynomial and rational, trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic), and find and apply inverse functions. Other topics include working with fractions and percentages, and rules for indices/powers.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
| Teaching period | Mode/location |
|---|---|
| Trimester 1 | On Campus, Armidale Campus |
| Trimester 1 | Online |
| Trimester 2 | On Campus, Armidale Campus |
| Trimester 2 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
| Start | Finish | Duration | Attendance | Offerings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBA | TBA | 3 days | Non-Mandatory Intensive School | Trimester 1, Online | Trimester 1 Intensive School. Dates to be advised. |
| TBA | TBA | 3 days | Non-Mandatory Intensive School | Trimester 2, Online | Trimester 2 Intensive School - Dates to be advised. |
Enrolment rules
Notes
This unit is designed to serve the needs of students in both the Life Sciences and Engineering. While lectures will be common to both streams, provision will be made to structure specialist tutorials with examples and applications relevant to the different groups.
Students contemplating enrolment in MTHS120 who are not familiar with the content of Year 12 Mathematics Extension 1, 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.
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- apply the concept of limit to a range of infinite sequences, and relate this to the concept of continuity in the context of specific functions;
- relate the concept of derivative to variable rates of change in natural processes, identify and apply appropriate techniques of differentiation to a range of functions, locate and classify maxima and minima of functions, and apply all of these to one-variable problems of optimisation;
- relate the concept of definite integral to area, volume and the general accumulation of a quantity prescribed initially in terms of density, compute integrals of functions via elementary anti-differentiation and elementary changes of variable; and
- solve systems of linear equations, and classify the solution sets as being either uniquely determined, underdetermined, or overdetermined.
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Recommended material may be held in the University Library — purchase is optional.
Calculus: Early Transcendentals, International Adaptation
ISBN: 9781119820499
Anton, H., Bivens, I.C., Davis, S., Wiley 12th ed. 2022
Text refers to: All offerings
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