Course outline
Code: MTH100
Title: Introduction to Mathematics
Faculty of: Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Teaching Session: Semester 1
Year: 2017
Course Coordinator: Dr Margaret Marshman Email: [email protected]
Course Moderator: Dr Robert McDougall
1.
What is this course about?
1.1
Course description
In this course, you master the essential mathematical tools and techniques that are applied every day in all
fields of science and associated disciplines that you will actually use throughout your degree and your
careers. You start by refreshing and strengthening your existing skills in arithmetic, upon which you build
your knowledge and skills in foundation topics such as algebra, graphing, geometry, trigonometry and
probability. You also learn exactly how these mathematics topics are relevant to your studies and career by
studying real-world examples from a variety of science disciplines.
1.2
Course content
Arithmetic, algebra, graphing, geometry, trigonometry, vectors, working with spread-sheets, applications of
foundation mathematics in science
2.
Unit value
12 units
3.
How does this course contribute to my learning?
On successful completion of this course you
should be able to:
Demonstrate a working knowledge of the
concepts, tools and techniques specific to each
topic.
Use problem solving strategies and mathematical
reasoning to interpret, analyse and solve
problems in mathematics and science.
Interpret and communicate using mathematical
terminology, symbols and conventions.
Use spread-sheets to analyse data, perform
calculations and create appropriate graphs.
Version Semester 1 2017
You will be assessed on
the learning outcome in
task/s:
1: Assignment
2: Mid-semester exam
3: Final exam
1: Assignment
2: Mid-semester exam
3: Final exam
2: Mid-semester exam
1: Assignment
3: Final exam
2: Assignment
Recfind File Number: F19280
Completing these tasks
successfully will contribute to
you becoming:
Knowledgeable.
Creative and critical thinkers.
Creative and critical thinkers.
Knowledgeable.
Empowered.
Knowledgeable.
Empowered.
Creative and critical thinkers.
Page 2
Course Outline:
4.
MTH100 Introduction to Mathematics
Am I eligible to enrol in this course?
Refer to the Undergraduate Coursework Programs and Awards - Academic Policy for definitions of “prerequisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”
4.1
Enrolment restrictions
Nil
4.2
Pre-requisites
Nil
4.3
Co-requisites
Nil
4.4
Anti-requisites
MTH101
4.5
Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (optional)
You should possess an understanding and working knowledge of the communication and operations of
addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, as well as an understanding and working knowledge of
the concept of fractions, both rational (eg 3/4) and decimal (eg 0.75). You should also be able to use a
hand-calculator to perform basic numerical operations and to interpret the result presented on screen.
5.
How am I going to be assessed?
5.1
Grading scale
Standard – High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL)
5.2
Task
No.
1
2
3
Assessment tasks
MTH100
Assessment
Tasks
Problem
Solving
Assignments
Individual
or Group
Weighting
%
When should I submit?
Where should I
submit it?
45%
What is the
duration/
length?
NA
Individual
Part a)
4 at 5%
each
Part b) 25%
20%
35%
Part a) sheets will be
submitted in weeks
3, 5, 7, 12
Part b) 8am Monday
week 10
Part a) in tutorial
Part b) uploaded
to blackboard
In-class test
Final Exam
Individual
Individual
1 hour
2.0 hours
In lecture Week 8
Centrally scheduled
examination period
In lecture
N/A
100%
Page 3
Course Outline: MTH100 Introduction to Mathematics
Assessment Task 1Problem Solving Assignments
Goal:
Problem solving is one of the joys to Mathematics. These various assignments will develop your
confidence and working knowledge of mathematics and its language to solve familiar problems.
The spread-sheeting task in particular will allow you to develop key spread sheet skills used in
many fields of research. You will prepare, implement, analyse, justify and interpret data for a
scientific problem.
Product: Part a – 4 worksheets
Part b - 1 spread sheet analysis
Format:
Part a. This task is comprised of sets of problems that will be made available as the semester
progresses. These will be due in weeks 3, 5, 7, 12.
In most cases, the exercise-sets will be available for one week. These will be submitted to your
tutor during tutorials
Part b. A spread-sheet analysis of the investigation of a scientific problem with interpretation of
outcomes
Criteria
You will be evaluated on:
Part a
 Use problem solving strategies
 Mathematical reasoning to interpret, analyse and solve problems in mathematics and
science.
 Communicate using mathematical terminology, symbols and conventions
Part b.
 Use problem solving strategies
 Use of spread sheet functionality and analysis tools
 Mathematical reasoning to interpret, analyse and solve problems in mathematics and
science.
 Communicate using mathematical terminology, symbols and
Generic skill assessed
Skill assessment level
Problem solving
Introductory
Applying technology
Introductory
Communication
Introductory
Assessment Task 2: Mid-semester exam
Goal:
To reinforce and develop your knowledge of mathematics and its language to solve familiar and
unfamiliar problems.
Product: This task comprises the solution of a series of problems from the material of Weeks 1 to 5 that
you submit for marking in Week 6 of the semester.
Format:
Handwritten in USC Exam Answer Booklet(s).
Criteria
Demonstrate a working knowledge of the concepts, tools and techniques specific to each topic.
Use problem solving strategies and mathematical reasoning to interpret, analyse and solve
familiar and unfamiliar problems in mathematics and science.
Communicate using mathematical terminology, symbols and conventions.
Generic skill assessed
Skill assessment level
Problem solving
Introductory
Communication
Introductory
Page 4
Course Outline:
Assessment Task 3: Final Exam
MTH100 Introduction to Mathematics
Goal:
To assess your skills in the theory and application of the course material in introductory
mathematics.
Product: This is a comprehensive, two hour final examination, consisting of both short and long answer
questions.
Format:
A written examination
Criteria
Demonstrate a working knowledge of the concepts, tools and techniques specific to each topic.
Use problem solving strategies and mathematical reasoning to interpret, analyse and solve
familiar and unfamiliar problems in mathematics and science.
Communicate using mathematical terminology, symbols and conventions.
Generic skill assessed
Skill assessment level
Problem solving
Introductory
5.3
Additional assessment requirements
Blackboard
As a student enrolled in this course you will have access to course information on the Blackboard site. You
are strongly recommended to log onto the course site on a regular basis. All course announcements,
course changes, posting of course materials and grades (via My Interim Results) will be accessed through
Blackboard. It is your responsibility to ensure you have adequate internet access (either off campus or oncampus) in order to access Blackboard regularly and to complete required assessment tasks.
Safe Assign
In order to minimise incidents of plagiarism and collusion, this course may require that some of its
assessment tasks are submitted electronically via Safe Assign. This software allows for text comparisons to
be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work that Safe Assign has access to. If
required, details of how to submit via Safe Assign will be provided on the Blackboard site of the course.
Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment
Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
c) You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct
5.4
Submission penalties
Late submission of assessment tasks will be penalised at the following maximum rate:
 5% (of the assessment task’s identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified
as the due date for the assessment task.
 10% (of the assessment task’s identified value) for the third day
 20% (of the assessment task’s identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and
including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task.
 A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date
identified as the due date for the assessment task.
Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late.
To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.
6. How is the course offered?
6.1
Directed study hours
Lectures: 13x2hrs per week; Tutorials: 13x2hrs per week; 1x2hrs Computer Workshop in wk 6
Page 5
Course Outline:
6.2
MTH100 Introduction to Mathematics
Teaching semester/session(s) offered
Semester 1 Sippy Downs only
6.3
Course activities
Teaching
Week /
Module
1
2
3
4
5
6
What key concepts/content will I
learn?
Introduction.
Numbers.
Mental and written arithmetic
Order of operations
Indices
Scientific notation
Fractions.
Decimals
Percentage
Algebra
Expressions
- Simplifying
- expanding
- factorising
Rearrangement of equations
Cartesian Plane
Linear equations
Solving equations
Solving simultaneous equations
Ratio
Proportion
Scale diagrams
Trigonometry - Sin Cos, Tan
Angles (degrees only)
Trigonometry cont.
Pythagoras’ theorem
Sine and cosine rules
Trigonometric functions
7
8
Quadratics
Exam
Spreadsheeting
9
Vectors (magnitude & direction type
only)
What activities will I engage in to learn the
concepts/content?
Directed Study Activities
Independent Study
Activities
Lecture
Reading and problems from
Tutorial
the textbook.
Chapter 1, 6.1 – 6.3
Lecture
Tutorial
Reading and problems from
the textbook.
Chapter 6.4, 6.5, 2, 3, 4.1
Lecture
Tutorial
problems due in tutorial
Reading and problems from
the textbook.
Chapter 5, 7, 8.1, 9.1 – 9.4,
10
Lecture
Tutorial
problems
Reading and problems from
the textbook.
Chapter 11.1, 11.2, 17.1,
17.3, 18.1, 18.2
Reading and problems from
the textbook.
Chapter 4.2, 22, 23.1, 8.1,
9.1, 9.2, 9.3
Lecture
Tutorial
problems due in tutorial
Lecture
Tutorial
Reading and problems from
the textbook.
Chapter 23, 25
Lecture
Tutorial problems due in
tutorial
Exam in Lecture
Tutorials
spreadsheeting in
computer labs
Lecture
Tutorial
Reading and problems from
the textbook.
Chapter 11.3
Excel resources available
from blackboard
Reading and problems from
the textbook.
Chapter 26.1, 26.2, 26.3,
26.4
Page 6
Course Outline:
Exponentials
Logarithms
MTH100 Introduction to Mathematics
Lecture
Reading and problems from
Tutorial
the textbook.
Spreadsheet assignment Chapter 19, 20
due
8am Monday
11
Probability.
Lecture
Reading and problems from
Tutorial
the textbook.
Chapter 30
12
Measurement
Lecture
Reading and problems from
emphasis on triangles and circles
Tutorial
the textbook.
- perimeter, area, volume
problems due in tutorial Chapter 21.1, 21.2, 21.3,
Converting units
21.5, 21.6
13
Revision
Lecture
See blackboard
Tutorial
Please note that the course activities may be subject to variation.
10
7. What resources do I need to undertake this course?
7.1
Prescribed text(s)
Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below:
Author
A. Croft and R. Davison
7.2
Year
2010
Title
Foundation Maths 5e
Publisher
Pearson
Required and recommended readings
Lists of required and recommended readings may be found for this course on its Blackboard site. These
materials/readings will assist you in preparing for tutorials and assignments, and will provide further
information regarding particular aspects of your course.
7.3
Specific requirements
It is recommended that you possess a good quality scientific hand-calculator. You will not require a
graphics, programmable or CAS calculator for this course and these are not recommended. It is your
responsibility to learn to use your calculator properly.
7.4
Risk management
There is minimal health and safety risk in this course. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the
Health and Safety policies and procedures applicable within campus areas.
8.
How can I obtain help with my studies?
In the first instance you should contact your tutor, then the Course Coordinator. Additional assistance to all
students through Peer Advisors and Academic Skills Advisors. You can drop in or book an appointment. To
book: Tel: +61 7 5430 2890 or Email: student [email protected]
9.
Links to relevant University policies and procedures
For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:
 Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
 Review of Assessment and Final Grades
 Supplementary Assessment
 Administration of Central Examinations
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Course Outline: MTH100 Introduction to Mathematics
 Deferred Examinations
 Student Academic Misconduct
 Students with a Disability
http://www.usc.edu.au/university/governance-and-executive/policies-and-procedures#academic-learningand-teaching
10. Faculty specific information
General enquiries
In person:
 Sippy Downs - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C
 USC SouthBank - Student Central, Building B, Ground floor (level 1)
 USC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
 USC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Building A
Tel: +61 7 5430 2890
Email: [email protected]