QCF154 Introductory Mathematics

Unit Outline: College 1 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

To be an effective professional in a wide range of areas, such as engineering, science, information technology, health, education and business, an appropriate level of mathematical competence is essential. In our own personal lives, a basic knowledge of topics such as statistics, measurement and financial maths is also beneficial.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Select, recall and use facts, rules, definitions and procedures drawn from algebra, functions, relations and their graphs, and statistics (CLO1, CLO6)
2. Comprehend mathematical concepts and techniques (CLO1)
3. Communicate using mathematical and statistical terminology, symbols and conventions (CLO3)
4. Apply mathematical concepts and techniques to a range of practical problems (CLO2)

Content

Learning Approaches

In QCF.. Mathematics you will learn through a problem-based approach and skill development tasks. The unit uses an approach to problem solving and mathematical modelling which moves through the following stages:

• Formulate
• Solve
• Evaluate and verify
• Communicate

This approach assists you to develop an ability to transfer mathematical skills and ideas between different contexts. There is also a focus on discussion, collaboration and reflection of ideas. Technology is used to make connections between mathematical theory, practice and application to improve your conceptual understanding. 

Throughout the unit explicit teaching of mathematical rules, definitions and procedures will be combined with learning opportunities in which you must apply the knowledge and skills. The learning experiences in this unit focus on mathematical tasks drawn from a variety of real world situations. These opportunities encourage you to recognise the usefulness of mathematics through its application.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Throughout the unit feedback will be provided in various forms which may include:
• Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
• Formal: in writing, such as checklists, rubrics, written commentary
• Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
• Indirect: to the whole class

Assessment

Overview

QCF154 Introductory Mathematics has three summative assessments as detailed below. Formative assessment will support your learning by giving you an opportunity to practice tasks and learn from feedback before completing them for marking purposes. Formative assessment will also be applied to classroom tasks to check for completion, understanding and learning progression.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Quizzes

These quizzes will assess concepts and techniques taught in classroom lessons during the semester.

Assessment: Mid-semester examination

This examination will assess the concepts and techniques taught in the first part of the unit. In Part A you will demonstrate your knowledge of procedures and comprehension of concepts by showing detailed workings for short response questions. In Part B you will solve mathematical problems, usually in real-life contexts, and justify your solutions.

Assessment: Final examination

This examination will assess the concepts and techniques taught in the second part of the unit. In Part A you will demonstrate your knowledge of procedures and comprehension of concepts by showing detailed workings for short response questions. In Part B you will solve mathematical problems, usually in real-life contexts, and justify your solutions.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out-of-the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

Course Learning Outcomes

QC18 University Preparation Program

1. Demonstrate and apply theoretical, conceptual and/or technical knowledge based on the discipline of study
   Relates to: Quizzes, Mid-semester examination, Final examination
2. Apply critical, creative and analytical thinking and effective problem solving in a range of contexts
   Relates to: Quizzes, Mid-semester examination, Final examination
3. Use academic language to suit the intended purpose and audience in written, oral and multimodal genres
   Relates to: Mid-semester examination, Final examination