Department of Mathematics and Statistics 620-161 Introductory Mathematics Semester I, 2005

Objectives

On completion of this subject, students should:

• comprehend:
  • elementary row operations for manipulating matrices
  • concepts of basic functions of one and two variables
• have developed:
  • manipulative skills with matrices and standard functions
  • the skills to find derivatives of one and two variables
  • an ability to apply these skills to simple linear programming problems and word problems in business and economics, bio sciences and life sciences
• appreciate:
  • the sequential structure of the mathematics of functions
  • the value of mathematical techniques in business and economics, bio sciences and life sciences

Generic Skills

In addition to learning specific technical skills that will assist you in your future careers in science, engineering, commerce, education or elsewhere, you will have the opportunity to develop in this subject generic skills that will assist you whatever your future career path.

• You will develop problem-solving skills (especially through tutorial exercises) including engaging with unfamiliar problems, and identifying relevant strategies.
• You will develop analytical skills - the ability to construct and express logical arguments and to work in abstract or general terms to increase the clarity and efficiency of the analysis.
• Through tutorials and other interactions with fellow students, you will develop the ability to work in a team. The department distinguishes between ethical collaboration, which is strongly encouraged, and plagiarism, which is prohibited.

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In a more general and informal sense, the 620-161 course has the purposes of refining and extending the functions and calculus material in VCE MM3/4, of introducing students to linear algebraic concepts and multivariate ideas.

While the use of software is not compulsory either in the solution of exercises nor in the assessment, another informal objective is that students who complete 620-161 will have mastered the topics to such a level as to be able easily to access software, and in particular software to solve linear programming problems and differential equations. Of course, the real benefit of students' ability to access software and use it for applications in their chosen field and understand in context what it produces may come long after the course has been completed. During the course, the lecturers will give information about software which might be accessed.

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Created: 19 February 2004
Last modified: 24 February 2005
Authorised by: Deborah King, Department of Mathematics and Statistics.