ENGSCI 211 : Mathematical Modelling 2

Engineering

2025 Semester One (1253) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

First and second order ordinary differential equations and solutions. Laplace transforms. Taylor series and series in general. Multivariable and vector calculus including divergence, gradient and curl. Further linear algebra. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Fourier series. Application of the techniques through appropriate modelling examples. Introductory data analysis and statistics.

Course Overview

This is a core course for all Engineering students and covers a range of mathematical and modelling topics that have applications across all branches of Engineering.  By the end of the course, students will have a good understanding of how to apply both analytical and numerical methods to solve the kinds of problems that commonly arise in Engineering.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: ENGGEN 150, or ENGSCI 111, or a B+ grade or higher in MATHS 108 or 110, or a B+ grade or higher in MATHS 120 and 130 Restriction: ENGSCI 213

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 6: Communication

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Solve first and second order Ordinary Differential Equations (ODE), or a system of first order ODEs, using both analytical (trial solutions and Laplace transforms) and numerical methods. (Capability 3.1)
  2. Apply introductory data analysis and statistical techniques, including the use of relevant software, to the type of data that arise in Engineering practice. (Capability 3.1 and 6.1)
  3. Solve a range of multivariable calculus problems, including those involving differential and integral calculus. (Capability 3.1)
  4. Use Fourier series to represent a periodic function, or periodic extension of a non-periodic function, in terms of an infinite sum of sines and cosines. (Capability 3.1)
  5. Solve a system of linear equations, or a system of Ordinary Differential Equations, using linear algebra. (Capability 3.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Tests 20% Individual Test
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Assignments 30% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Tests
Final Exam
Assignments

A student's final mark for the course may not exceed their exam mark by more than 10%.

A passing mark is 50% or higher, according to University policy.

The test and exam are in-person and completed on paper. Students must sit the final exam to pass the course. Otherwise, a DNS (did not sit) result will be returned.

Late Policy: Late submissions will be dealt with under the course policy published on Canvas. In short, there are no late submissions allowed for Quizzes. Late assignments will be penalised at 4% of the marks available per hour, and this is automatically applied by Canvas.

Extensions: Procedures for extensions for illness or other unexpected events will be published on Canvas. 

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 3 hours of lectures, 4 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 3 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities to complete components of the course.

Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials will not be available as recordings.

The course will not include live online events, but may involve material delivered online only via recordings.

Attendance on campus is required for written tests and exam.

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

It is recommended that students obtain a hard copy of the course book, which is available from the University bookshop. An electronic copy of the course book is made freely available on Canvas.

Health & Safety

Students must ensure they are familiar with their Health and Safety responsibilities, as described in the university's Health and Safety policy.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Responses to the 2024 S1 SET Evaluations state that lectorials and practice problems were well-appreciated by students, as was the overall course structure with weekly quizzes, assignments and a comprehensive coursebook. We will be incrementally improving these in 2025.

The 2024 S1 SET Evaluations also highlighted the following points for improvement:

  • Course Pacing: we will aim to deliver the topics with more consistent pacing, however given the limited number of contact hours this may not always be possible, and some time spent on previewing and reviewing course material is expected.
  • Data Analysis Topic: a refresh of the slides for this topic is planned ahead of 2025 S1 to improve clarity and remove colloquialisms and other extraneous material.
  • Test timing: we will aim to book the test slightly later in the semester and extend the length of the test, to reflect the weighting of the test. Unfortunately a second test is no longer possible given the expected enrolment.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

Although the use of generative AI in helping you understand course material is permitted and encouraged, the use of these tools (e.g. ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.) for assessed coursework is not permitted

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Students will be represented by their elected Part II specialisation class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.