Outline

Overview

Mathematics is a powerful tool in Science. It is used to interpret observations, to formulate predictions, create models, refine theory and communicate scientific reasoning in many disciplines. In this unit you will learn how Mathematical ideas are applied across Science. You will see that Mathematics plays a fundamental role in the Life and Environmental Sciences, in Medicine and in Health, as well as in physical sciences. You will meet familiar ideas such as calculus and exponentials now put to work to solve practical scientific problems, and you will be introduced to powerful new concepts such as matrices and differential equations. You will use public domain technology to perform calculations, do algebra and draw graphs which will enable you to work on interesting real-world scenarios. At the end of this unit you will be equipped to use mathematical ideas confidently in the disciplinary and interdisciplinary contexts that you will meet in your degree and beyond. This unit is designed to complement DATA1001 in the Science core. Students intending to major in Physics or Chemistry are recommended to take MATH1021 and MATH1002. Students majoring in Mathematics, Statistics or Financial Mathematics and Statistics must take MATH1021 and MATH1002.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	MATH1050
Academic unit	Mathematics and Statistics Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	MATH1061 or MATH1961 or MATH1971 or MATH1062 or MATH1962 or MATH1972 or MATH1002 or MATH1021 or MATH1023 or MATH1921 or MATH1902 or MATH1923 or MATH1933 or MATH1931 or (MATH1011 and MATH1014) or (MATH1013 and MATH1014) or (MATH1011 and MATH1013) or MATH1001 or MATH1003 or MATH1901 or MATH1906 or MATH1903 or MATH1907
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	NSW HSC Mathematics Advanced
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Mary Myerscough, mary.myerscough@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Mary Myerscough, mary.myerscough@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Peter Kim, peter.kim@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final Exam Multiple choice and written calculations	50%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Weekly quizzes 1-2 #earlyfeedbacktask	2%	Multiple weeks	40 minutes/week
Outcomes assessed:
Short release assignment	Assignment 1 Written calculations and Mathematica work.	5%	Week 04 Due date: 14 Mar 2024 at 23:59 Closing date: 24 Mar 2024	2-4 pages.
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Mid-Semester Quiz Multiple choice quiz	15%	Week 07 Due date: 11 Apr 2024 at 23:59 Closing date: 11 Apr 2024	50 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Short release assignment	Assignment 2 Small project with written calculations and Mathematica work.	10%	Week 09 Due date: 26 Apr 2024 at 23:59 Closing date: 06 May 2024	4-6 pages.
Outcomes assessed:
Short release assignment	Assignment 3 Small project with written calculations, Mathematica work.	10%	Week 13 Due date: 23 May 2024 at 23:59 Closing date: 02 Jun 2024	4-6 pages.
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Weekly Quizzes Multiple choice questions	6%	Weekly	40 minutes/week
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Workshops Participation in workshops	2%	Weekly	2 hours/week
Outcomes assessed:

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Assignments: There are three short release assignments. Each must be submitted electronically, as one single typeset or scanned PDF file only, via Canvas by the deadline. Note that your assignment will not be marked if it is illegible or if it is submitted sideways or upside down. It is your responsibility to check that your assignment has been submitted correctly and that it is complete (check that you can view each page). Late submissions will receive a penalty. A mark of zero will be awarded for all submissions more than 10 days past the original due date. Further extensions past this time will not be permitted. The maximum extension you can be awarded through Special Consideration for the assignments is 7 calendar days. If you are affected for more than 7 calendar days you will be granted a mark adjustment. This means that your final exam mark will count instead for the assignment mark. The closing date for submissions (with a late penalty) is the same for all students. It is not changed if you are granted an extension. This allows for timely release of the marks and feedback. Note that the assignments are not eligible for a Simple Extension through the Special Consideration system since they are short release assignments (released to you to complete within 10 working days).
Quiz: One quiz will be held online through Canvas. The quiz is 50 minutes and has to be submitted by the closing time of 23:59 on the due date. The quiz can be taken any time during the 24 hour period before the closing time. The better mark principle will be used for the quiz so do not submit an application for Special Consideration or Special Arrangements if you miss a quiz. The better mark principle means that the quiz counts if and only if it is better than or equal to your exam mark. If your quiz mark is less than your exam mark, the exam mark will be used for that portion of your assessment instead. No extensions will be granted for the quiz. If you are granted Special Consideration the outcome is a mark adjustment where the exam mark will count instead.
Online Quizzes: There are ten weekly online quizzes (equally weighted) and the marks for the best eight count. The first two are used for the Early Feedback Task. Each online quiz consists of a set of randomized questions. You should not apply for special consideration for the quizzes. The better mark principle will apply for the total 8% - i.e. if your overall exam mark is higher, then your 8% for the Webwork quizzes will come from your exam. The deadline for completion of each quiz is 23:59 on Sunday (starting in week 2). The precise schedule for the quizzes is found on Canvas. We recommend that you follow the due dates outlined above to gain the most benefit from these quizzes.
Workshop Participation: This is a satisfactory/non-satisfactory mark assessing whether or not you participate in class activities during the workshops. It is 0.25 marks per tutorial class up to 8 tutorials (there are 12 workshops).
Final Examination: The final exam for this unit is compulsory and must be attempted. Failure to attempt the final exam will result in an AF grade for the course. Further information about the exam will be made available at a later date on Canvas. If a second replacement exam is required, this exam may be delivered via an alternative assessment method, such as a viva voce (oral exam). The alternative assessment will meet the same learning outcomes as the original exam. The format of the alternative assessment will be determined by the unit coordinator.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Representing complete or close to complete mastery of the material.
Distinction	75 - 84	Representing excellence, but substantially less than complete mastery.
Credit	65 - 74	Representing a creditable performance that goes beyond routine knowledge and understanding, but less than excellence.
Pass	50 - 64	Representing at least routine knowledge and understanding over a spectrum of topics and important ideas and concepts in the course.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Mathematical basics (Algebra with software, changing subjects of formulae, orders of magnitude, numbers, etc). Periodic functions. Curve fitting. Applications.	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 02	Exponentials, exponential growth and decay, changing from one base to another, doubling time. Applications.	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 03	Logarithms to base 10, 2, and e. Logarithmic processes, log-log and log-lin plots, pH and pKa.	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 04	Complex numbers. Vectors. Applications.	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 05	Matrices: basic arithmetic, linear equations, population models and graph theory	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 06	Eigenvectors and eigenvalues, Leslie matrix models of populations.	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 07	Continuous change: the derivative as a measure of change. Approximations to the derivative. Higher order derivatives: rates of change of rate of change. Applications.	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 08	Continuous accumulation: the integral as a measure of accumulation, calculating averages and weighted averages, rates of accumulation, links between differentiation and integration, functions defined as integrals. Applications.	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 09	Functions of two variables, graphing functions of two variables: surface and contour plots. Partial derivatives.	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 10	Differential equations, exponential growth, logistic growth, interpretation of DEs without a solution.	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 11	Systems of differential equations, epidemiological models, spread of infectious diseases	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)
Week 12	Approximation: Approximating a curve with a line, or another curve. Building models.	Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture attendance: You are expected to attend lectures. If you do not attend lectures you should at least follow the lecture recordings available through Canvas.

Workshop attendance: Workshops (one per week) start in Week 1. You should attend the workshop given on your personal timetable. Attendance at workshops and participation will be recorded to determine the participation mark. Your attendance will not be recorded unless you attend the workshop in which you are enrolled. We strongly recommend you attend workshops regularly to keep up with the material and to engage with the tutorial questions.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. Perform appropriate mathematical operations both with pen-and-paper and using suitable software
LO2. Apply mathematical ideas to analysing problems in science and medicine
LO3. Determine where a mathematical approach is required in scientific problem solving and what that approach should be
LO4. Communicate mathematical ideas clearly and correctly in written and spoken form

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The second assignment (20%) has been split into two 10% assignments.

Additional information

Lectures: Lectures are face-to-face and recorded. The recordings can be accessed after the lecture from Canvas.
Workshops: Workshops start in Week 1. Workshops are small classes in which you are expected to work through questions from the tutorial sheet in small groups on the white board. The role of the tutor is to provide support and to some extent give feedback on your solutions written on the board. You will need access to Mathematica which is freely available through the university.

Tutorial and exercise sheets: The question sheets for a given week will be available on the MATH1050 Canvas page. Solutions to tutorial exercises for week n will usually be posted on the web by the afternoon of the Friday of week n.
Ed Discussion forum: https://edstem.org

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

MATH1050: Mathematics Toolbox for Science

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect