MATHS 254 : Fundamental Concepts of Mathematics
Science
2021 Semester Two (1215) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
The focus is on understanding how to develop mathematics with rigour, while appreciating its beauty and potential for applications throughout the mathematical sciences. The course aims to promote deep understanding of concepts and approaches, rather than to simply present mathematical techniques.
This is an essential course for all students advancing beyond Stage 2 in pure mathematics, and highly suitable for other students in the mathematical sciences.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 2: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 3: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 4: | Communication and Engagement |
| Capability 5: | Independence and Integrity |
Learning Outcomes
- Display a high level of knowledge of mathematical concepts (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5)
- Demonstrate an understanding of potential applications and connections with other disciplines by producing correct solutions/proofs. (Capability 1 and 4)
- Demonstrate an understanding of a range of methods used in pure mathematics by producing correct solutions/proofs. (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4)
- Demonstrate an understanding of precision and proof in mathematics, witnessed by the ability to present valid arguments in written form. (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4)
- Engage in critical interactions (Capability 1, 2 and 4)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Tutorials | 10% | Individual Coursework |
| Assignments | 20% | Individual Coursework |
| Mid-semester Test | 25% | Individual Test |
| Final Exam | 45% | Individual Examination |
| 4 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||||||
| Tutorials | ||||||||||
| Assignments | ||||||||||
| Mid-semester Test | ||||||||||
| Final Exam | ||||||||||
You must achieve at least 35% in the final exam in order to pass this course.
Key Topics
B) Elementary number theory
C) Counting and elementary probability
D) Symmetry
E) Euclidean Geometry
F) Sequences
G) Metric spaces.
Workload Expectations
For this course, you can expect 36 hours of lectures and 11 hours of tutorials, and you should spend approximately 36 hours of reading and thinking about the content, and 67 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including lectures and tutorials to complete components of the course. However it will be available for remote students with special circumstances (for example those outside New Zealand).
Lectures will be available as recordings, however students should be aware that it is not always possible to record material written on the whiteboards. Other learning activities including tutorials will not be available as recordings.
Attendance on campus is required for the test and exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable/block delivery.
Learning Resources
Student Feedback
During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.
At the end of the course 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.
Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.
Digital 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.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework 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. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.
Copyright
The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.
You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.
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.
Level 3 / 4: All teaching activities and assessments are delivered remotely
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.