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Unit of study_

MATH3888: Projects in Mathematics

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Mathematics is ubiquitous in the modern world. Mathematical ideas contribute to philosophy, art, music, economics, business, science, history, medicine and engineering. To really see the power and beauty of mathematics at work, students need to identify and explore interdisciplinary links. Engagement with other disciplines also provides essential foundational skills for using mathematics in the world beyond the lecture room. In this unit you will commence by working on a group project in an area of mathematics that interests you. From this you will acquire skills of teamwork, research, writing and project management as well as disciplinary knowledge. You will then have the opportunity to apply your disciplinary knowledge in an interdisciplinary team to identify and solve problems and communicate your findings to a diverse audience.

Unit details and rules

Unit code MATH3888
Academic unit Mathematics and Statistics Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
(MATH2921 or MATH2021 or MATH2065 or MATH2965 or MATH2061 or MATH2961 or MATH2923 or MATH2023) and (MATH2922 or MATH2022 or MATH2061 or MATH2961 or MATH2088 or MATH2988)
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Martin Wechselberger, martin.wechselberger@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Group work
Peer assessment
10% Multiple weeks Variable
Outcomes assessed: LO7
Participation Participation
Class participation
0% Multiple weeks See Canvas
Outcomes assessed: LO7
Small continuous assessment Lab reports
Written lab report
20% Multiple weeks Variable
Outcomes assessed: LO7
Presentation Presentations
Oral presentation
20% Multiple weeks See Canvas
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment group assignment Project report
Written report
20% Week 12 Variable
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Project report
Written report
30% Week 13 See Canvas
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Participation: Active participation is crucial and, hence, mandatory for this project unit. 80% attendance required to pass this unit (as is customary in physiology units).
  • Lab reports: You will document your lab experiments (maths & physiology/biology) and findings and submit the report after each lab session.
  • Poster/oral presentations: You will give presentations about the biology, lab and modelling experience using Beamer, Keynote or Powerpoint.
  • Individual & Group Project reports: A specific project will be assigned and you will create a group & an individual final report about this project by the due date(s). The individual final report will be a Latex document which will consist of several chapters: (1) physiology/biology of the problem under study (2) maths modelling of the problem under study, (3) numerical implementation of these models and (4) analysis of these models. Submission (of a pdf file) will be via turnitin. 

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas/Ed.

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.

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.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Weekly Maths toolboxes needed for interdisciplinary projects Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Maths software necessary to master interdisciplinary projects Computer laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7
Group work necessary for interdisciplinary project Science laboratory (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

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 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.

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

  • LO1. understand the physiological problem application from physiology peers
  • LO2. understand the methods of physiological research and appreciate both the potential and the limitations of experimental work
  • LO3. conceptualise problems in mathematical terms and develop mathematical models/ideas
  • LO4. explain to the physiology peers how your modelling represents their system and learn new mathematics as required
  • LO5. analyse models numerically using suitable software
  • LO6. assess the modelling in light of experimental results and the experimental system
  • LO7. work together with all other students in the group to produce outputs such as lab/project reports or oral presentations.

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered
  • Literature search: It is also part of this project unit to do a proper literature search using our library resources. This will be particularly important for the physiology part of the project.
  • Physiology lab: You will be looking into planarian (a flatworm) regeneration in the X-Lab (Charles Perkins Centre). The Physiology mentors will introduce you to the X-Lab and teach you basic lab skills to perform real experiments on these creatures.

More information can be found on Canvas.

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.