Mathematical Methods (577.8)

Please note these are the 2028 details for this unit
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Mathematical Methods
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods Hybrid
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Science And Technology
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
School Of Information Technology & Systems Level 1 - Undergraduate Introductory Unit Band 1 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 1 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This unit teaches the fundamental methods of differentiation, and introduces matrix and vector algebra. This is the basis for most scientific applications of mathematics and is a core part of the senior secondary curriculum for mathematics educators. Topics include algebra, functions, limits, continuity, differentiation, vectors, matrices, and applications. The unit provides students with a thorough understanding of the basic techniques, together with an introduction to applications, focusing particularly on applications in chemistry, biology, and health.
This unit may be cotaught with General Mathematics G.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts;
2. Calculate with functions, matrices and vectors;
3. Recognise situations where functional methods can be applied to chemistry, biology, and health; and
4. Apply the methods in straightforward real-life examples.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills


Skills development

Education Accreditation:  AITSL (Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership) and TQI (ACT Teacher Quality Institute) Graduate Standards for Teachers

This unit is part of courses accredited by the ACT Teacher Quality Institute (TQI).  On completion of this unit students will have satisfied the following Graduate Standards:

2.1 Content and teaching strategies of the teaching area - Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts, substance and structure of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area.



Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

6553 General Mathematics G.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

There are no UC prerequisites, however it is assumed that students have the background of High School mathematics to the level of an ACT College Mathematical Applications major.
Availability for enrolment in 2027, 2028 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 16 February 2026 Hybrid Dr Sergey Sergeev
2027 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 15 February 2027 Hybrid Dr Sergey Sergeev
2028 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 14 February 2028 Hybrid Dr Sergey Sergeev
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Required texts

Recomended textbook:
Raymond N. Greenwell, Nathan P. Ritchey, Margaret L. Lial, Calculus for the Life Sciences Global Edition, 2nd edition, Pearson, 2015.

The paperback version is available from:
https://www.pearson.com.au/9781292062334

The online version can be obtained from:
https://www.pearson.com.au/9781292071978

The text book will also be available from other suppliers.

Copies can be borrowed from the library.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Artificial intelligence

  • Restricted - The use of GenAI is NOT allowed in completing the assessment. More detailed information can be found at GenAI and Assessment at UC

Special assessment requirements

Special assessment requirements.

The unit uses both formative and summative forms of assessment. Students are required to satisfactorily complete a number of assignments and assessable items and to perform satisfactorily in the final assessment. Specifications for the assignments and requirements for satisfactory completion are given on the unit website on Canvas (LearnOnline).

Assignments are meant to be individual work, although talking a problem over with another student or tutor is considered one reasonable way of learning. However, the actual assignment submission must be your own work. Students are expected to familiarise themselves with the University's Student Conduct Rules (http://www.canberra.edu.au/current-students/conduct). Experience has shown that students who do not do their own work are unlikely to pass the unit.

Assignment submissions will be assessed for addressing the specific requirements of each assignment, as stated in the assignment descriptions. All assessment items will receive a numerical mark, which together in their entirety define a student's final grade and mark as outlined in section 5a.

Responsibility for understanding

If there is any doubt with regard to the requirements of any particular assignments or assessment procedure, the onus for clarifying the issue rests with the student who should
contact the unit Convener or tutor. Further, it is the responsibility of students to ensure that they are correctly enrolled in the unit and that the tutor and Student Administration have their correct contact details.

Final Grade and Mark

To obtain a particular grade in this unit it is necessary that there are no outstanding submissions at the end of Week 13. All assessment items will receive a numerical mark. The final grade will be determined as a weighted average of the individual assessment items as follows:

Final grade = (Early Assessment mark) x 0.10 + (Test_1 mark + Test_2 mark +Test_3 mark +Test_4 mark+Test_5 mark + Test_6 mark +Test_7 mark +Test_8 mark) x 0.05 + Assignment mark  x 0.5   (note that the marks for each assessment are scaled to 100 before performing this calculation)

To be awarded a particular grade, students must meet all the requirements listed below. That is, all grades are conditional upon the following minimum requirements:

Grade

Numerical Score

Fail

49% or less of combined weighted marks of all assessment items

Pass

50-64% of combined weighted marks of all assessment items

Credit

65-74% of combined weighted marks of all assessment items

Distinction

75-84% of combined weighted score of all assessment item

High Distinction

85-100% of combined weighted score of all assessment item

The unit convener reserves the right to question students orally (either online or face to face) on any of their submitted work for moderation and academic integrity purposes. 

Grade calculation

Grades are calculated from your total mark using the university's standard grading schema:
www.canberra.edu.au/current-students/canberra-students/examinations-and-results/grading-schema

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Learner engagement

Activities

Hours

Lectures (2 hours/week; 12 times)

24

Tutorials (1 hours/week; 11 times)

11

Weekly study (approx 3-4 hours/week; 12 times)

40

Online tests (1 hours; 10 times)

10

Study for online tests

33

Assignmemt preparation

 32
Total 150

Participation requirements

It is expected that each week you will either attend or listen to the lecture and attend the face-to-face tutorial. You should also complete the unsupervised practice questions available on Canvas each week.  It is also expected that you will attempt the practice quizzes and if you have any problems go to MASH to seek help.

Required IT skills

All students are assumed to be able to:

  • Read and print documents on the unit website – mostly in Adobe PDF format.
  • Communicate using e-mail.
  • Use their own scientific (non-programmable) calculator. (Help is available in MASH.)

Work placement, internships or practicums

None in this unit.

Next step

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