COURSE PROFILE FOR MATH2300 SEMESTER 2, 2004

COURSE CODE: MATH2300

COURSE TITLE: Linear Algebra & Graph Theory

LECTURERS:

Linear Algebra (July 26 - September 8):
Melinda Buchanon
Room: 67-448
Phone: 3365 3265
Email: mjb@maths.uq.edu.au

Graph Theory (September 10 - October 29):
Pete Jenkins
Room 67-448
Phone 3365 3265
Email: pdj@maths.uq.edu.au

DEPARTMENT: Mathematics

WEBSITE: http://www.maths.uq.edu.au/courses/MATH2300/

CONSULTATION HOURS:

Melinda: Wednesdays 3-4 in room 67-448

Pete: Mondays 9-10 in room 67-448

A FRIENDLY NOTE: Please let either of the lecturers know if you have any problems with any aspect of this course, and don't leave any difficulties until the last minute!

ASSUMED BACKGROUND: The pre-requisite for this course is MATH1051 or MT151. (Inc: MP204 or 274 or 316 or MT252.) For the Linear Algebra component: A knowledge of algebra of matrices and determinants together with an ability to follow mathematical arguments and cope with abstract concepts. For the Graph Theory component: A reasonable mathematical maturity, and knowledge of techniques such as mathematical induction, proof by contradiction etc., are all that is required. The first few lectures will deal quickly with a lot of basic graph theoretic definitions that we shall need subsequently.

SYLLABUS: MATH2300 will cover the following topics. Specific details are covered in lectures.

TEACHING MODE: Students should attend THREE lectures and ONE tutorial per week. Lectures are held on:

Linear Algebra lectures will run from Monday July 26 up to and including Wednesday September 8. Graph Theory lectures will run from Friday September 10 up to and including Friday October 29. The mid-semester break is the week from Monday September 27 to Friday October 1.

Tutorials are held on Thursdays at 3pm in 67-342 and on Fridays at 1pm in 76-228 (Molecular Biosciences Building). You may attend either of these tutorials.




TEXTBOOK: There is no set text for the course. However, there are a number of useful texts for reference.

We will cover only certain sections of these books.

ADDITIONAL REFERENCE TEXTS: The following are also available in the University of Queensland PSE Library.

METHOD OF ASSESSMENT: The assessment of this course consists of SIX written assignments (worth 6% each), and the final examination (worth 64%).

ASSIGNMENTS: Assignments will be handed out and placed on the course webpage as they become available. The assignments will be marked, and returned to you at your tutorial. Late assignments will only be accepted with a medical certificate and within a week of the due date. More details about the assignments will be given in lectures.

END OF SEMESTER EXAMINATION: The end of semester exam will be timetabled by the University administration later in the semester. Copies of the exam timetable are available on the University of Queensland website http://www.uq.edu.au and will also be posted in the various libraries around campus. This exam will be of 2 hours duration, with 10 minutes perusal time and will be based on the entire semester’s work. Calculators without text capabilities will be permitted. More details about the exam will be given later in the semester.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA: Solutions for each piece of submitted work will be marked for accuracy, appropriateness of mathematical techniques and clarity of presentation, as will be demonstrated by exemplars presented in lectures.

To earn a Grade of 7, a student must achieve a final mark of at least 85% and demonstrate an excellent understanding of concepts presented in this course. This includes clear expression of nearly all deductions and explanations, the use of appropriate and efficient mathematical techniques and accurate answers to nearly all questions and tasks with appropriate justification.

To earn a Grade of 6, a student must achieve a final mark of at least 75% and demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of concepts presented in this course. This includes clear expression of most of their deductions and explanations, the general use of appropriate and efficient mathematical techniques and accurate answers to most questions and tasks with appropriate justification.

To earn a Grade of 5, a student must achieve a final mark of at least 65% and demonstrate an adequate understanding of the concepts presented in this course. This includes clear expression of some of their deductions and explanations, the use of appropriate and efficient mathematical techniques in some situations and accurate answers to some questions and tasks with appropriate justification.

To earn a Grade of 4, a student must achieve a final mark of at least 50% and demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts presented in this course. This includes occasionally expressing their deductions and explanations clearly, the occasional use of appropriate and efficient mathematical techniques and accurate answers to a few questions and tasks with appropriate justification. They will have demonstrated knowledge of techniques used to solve problems and applied this knowledge in some cases.

To earn a Grade of 3, a student must achieve a final mark of at least 45% and demonstrate some knowledge of the basic concepts presented in this course. This includes occasional expression of their deductions and explanations, the use of a few appropriate and efficient mathematical techniques and attempts to answer a few questions and tasks accurately and with appropriate justification. They will have demonstrated knowledge of techniques used to solve problems.

To earn a Grade of 2, a student must achieve a final mark of at least 20% and demonstrate some knowledge of the concepts presented in this course. This includes attempts at expressing their deductions and explanations and attempts to answer a few questions accurately.

A student will earn a Grade of 1 if they achieve a final mark of at most 19% or show a poor knowledge of the basic concepts presented in this course. This includes attempts at answering some questions but showing an extremely poor understanding of the key concepts.

ASSESSMENT POLICY: Students should be familiar with the rules which relate to assessment in their degrees as well as general university policy such as found in the General Award Rules.  These are all set out on the myAdvisor page on the UQ website http://www.uq.edu.au/student/GeneralRules2003/2003GARs.htm.

GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES: On completion of the course, the student will have

IN-DEPTH KNOWLEDGE OF THE FIELD OF STUDY

  • An in-depth understanding and well-founded knowledge of the mathematics presented in this course.
  • An understanding of the breadth of mathematics.
  • An understanding of the applications of mathematics to relevant fields.

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

  • An enhanced ability to present a logical sequence of reasoning using appropriate mathematical notation and language.
  • An enhanced ability to interact effectively with others in order to work towards a common goal.
  • An enhanced ability to select and use the appropriate level, style and means of written communication, using the symbolic, graphical, and diagrammatic forms relevant to the context.

INDEPENDENCE AND CREATIVITY

  • An enhanced ability to work and learn independently.
  • An enhanced ability to generate and synthesise ideas.
  • An enhanced ability to formulate problems mathematically.
  • An enhanced ability to generate approaches for the mathematical solution of problems including the identification and adaptation of existing methods.

ETHICAL AND SOCIAL UNDERSTANDING

  • A knowledge and respect of ethical standards in relation to working in the area of mathematics.
  • An appreciation of the history of mathematics as an ongoing human endeavour.
  • An appreciation of the power of mathematics to affect our culture and technology.

DISABILITIES STATEMENT: Any student with a disability who may require alternative academic arrangements in the course is encouraged to seek advice at the commencement of the semester from a Disability Adviser at Student Support Services.

PLAGIARISM: Below is the University’s definition of plagiarism

 Plagiarism is the action or practice of taking and using as one’s own the thoughts or writings of another (without acknowledgement). The following practices constitute acts of plagiarism and are a major infringement of the University’s academic values:

(a)               where paragraphs, sentences, a single sentence or significant part of a sentence which are copied directly, are not enclosed in quotation marks and appropriately footnoted;

(b)                where direct quotations are not used, but are paraphrased or summarised, and the source of the material is not acknowledged either by footnoting or other simple reference within the text of the paper;

(c)               where an idea which appears elsewhere in print, film or electronic medium is used or developed without reference being made to the author or the source of that idea.

 When a student knowingly plagiarises someone’s work, there is intent to gain an advantage and this may constitute misconduct.

 Students are encouraged to study together and to discuss ideas, but this should not result in students handing in the same or similar assessment work.  Do not allow another student to copy your work.  While students may discuss approaches to tackling a tutorial problem, care must be taken to submit individual and different answers to the problem.  Submitting the same or largely similar answers to an assignment or tutorial problem may constitute misconduct.

 For more information on the University policy on plagiarism, please refer to

http://www.uq.edu.au/hupp/contents/view.asp?s1=3&s2=40&s3=12

SUPPLEMENTARY EXAMINATIONS: A supplementary examination may be awarded in one course to students who obtain a grade of 2 or 3 in the final semester of their program and require this course to finish their degree.  You should check the rules for your degree program for information on the possible award of supplementary examinations.  Applications for supplementary examinations must be made to the Director of Studies in the Faculty.

 EPSA Faculty policy on the award of supplementary exams may be found via the Faculty Guidelines from the EPSA student page

http://www.epsa.uq.edu.au/index.html?id=9329&pid=7564

SPECIAL EXAMINATIONS: If a student is unable to sit a scheduled examination for medical or other adverse reasons, she/he can and should apply for a special examination. Applications made on medical grounds should be accompanied by a medical certificate;  those on other grounds must be supported by a personal declaration stating the facts on which the application relies.

 Applications for special examinations for central and end-of-semester exams must be made through the Student Centre.  Applications for special examinations in school exams are made to the course coordinator.

 More information on the University’s assessment policy may be found

http://www.uq.edu.au/hupp/contents/view.asp?s1=3&s2=30&s3=5

 EPSA Faculty policy on the award of special exams may be found via the Faculty Guidelines from the EPSA student page

http://www.epsa.uq.edu.au/index.html?id=9329&pid=7564

FEEDBACK ON ASSESSMENT:You may request feedback on assessment in this course progressively throughout the semester from the course coordinator.  Feedback on assessment may include discussion, written comments on work, model answers, lists of common mistakes and the like.

Students may peruse examinations scripts and obtain feedback on performance in a final examination provided that the request is made within six months of the release of final course results.  After a period of six months following the release of results, examination scripts may be destroyed.

 Information on the University’s policy on access to feedback on assessment may be found at

http://www.uq.edu.au/hupp/contents/view.asp?s1=3&s2=30&s3=5

EPSA Faculty policy on assessment feedback and re-marking may be found at

http://www.epsa.uq.edu.au/index.html?id=7674&pid=7564

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Any student with a disability who may require alternative academic arrangements in the course is encouraged to seek advice at the commencement of the semester from a Disability Adviser at Student Support Services.

ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENTS: Students with English language difficulties should contact the course coordinator or tutors for the course.

 Students with English language difficulties who require development of their English skills should contact the Institute for Continuing and TESOL Education on extension 56565.   

The Learning Assistance Unit located in the Relaxation Block in Student Support Services.  You may consult learning advisers in the unit to provide assistance with study skills, writing assignments and the like.  Individual sessions are available.  Student Support Services also offers workshops to assist students.  For more information, phone 51704 or on the web http://www.sss.uq.edu.au/index.html.

STUDENT LIAISON OFFICER: The School of Physical Sciences has a Student Liaison Officer as an independent source of advice to assist students with resolving academic difficulties. The Student Liaison officer during 2004 will be Dr Peter Adams, Room 547 Priestley building, (email pa@maths.uq.edu.au)