QCF256 General Mathematics 2


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Unit Outline: College 1 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Unit code:QCF256
Credit points:12
Coordinator:Jane Pendlebury | j.pendlebury@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

Studying mathematics contributes to preparing you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to participate effectively in the community and the economy. QCF256 General Mathematics 2 provides learning opportunities that focus on: practising essential mathematical routines to develop procedural fluency, investigating scenarios, modelling the real world, solving problems and explaining reasoning. This unit highlights the relevance of mathematics in your daily life and the broader community and as such help you to develop a mathematical mindset.

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Select, recall and use facts, rules, definitions and procedures by performing calculations with and without technology (CLO1)
  2. Comprehend mathematical concepts and techniques (CLO1)
  3. Communicate using mathematical and statistical terminology, symbols and conventions (CLO3)
  4. Solve problems by applying mathematical concepts and techniques (CLO2)
  5. Evaluate solutions by interpreting mathematical results in the context of the situation (CLO2)
  6. Justify procedures and decisions by explaining mathematical reasoning (CLO2)

Content

Topics include:

  • Algebra
  • Linear Equations and Linear Functions
  • Quadratics
  • Graphing
  • Statistics
  • Correlation and regression
  • Normal distribution
  • Binomial distribution
  • Financial Mathematics
  • Networks

Learning Approaches

In QCF256 General Mathematics 2 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:
1. Formulate
2. Solve
3. Evaluate and verify
4. Communicate

This approach assists you to develop an ability to transfer mathematical skills and ideas between different contexts. In addition, there is a focus on discussion, collaboration and reflection of ideas.

Technology is used in this unit to make connections between mathematical theory, practice and application to improve your conceptual understanding.

This unit combines explicit teaching of mathematical rules, definitions and procedures with learning opportunities in which you must apply the knowledge and skills. The learning experiences in this unit rely 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

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester 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

QCF256 General Mathematics 2 has three summative assessments: an assignment and two examinations. Formative assessment will support your learning by giving you an opportunity to practice tasks in class 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: Mid-Semester Examination

This examination will assess your knowledge of the concepts taught in the first part of the unit.
In Part A you will demonstrate your knowledge of procedures by showing detailing working for short response questions. These questions will test your ability to follow routine skills and procedures.
In Part B your ability to solve non-routine tasks, usually in real-life contexts, will also be assessed through short response questions.

Weight: 30
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 7
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Assessment: Mathematical Assignment

This assignment has two parts:
In Part A you will research a mathematical method not studied in class and solve problems using the new technique.
In Part B you will apply the new technique.

Parts A and B are assignments for the purposes of an extension. 

Weight: 30
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 11
Part A due week 11 Part B due week 12
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Assessment: End of Semester Examination

This examination will assess your knowledge of the concepts taught in the second part of the unit.
In Part A you will demonstrate your knowledge of procedures by showing detailing working for short response questions. These questions will test your ability to follow routine skills and procedures.
In Part B your ability to solve non-routine tasks, usually in real-life contexts, will also be assessed through short response questions.

Weight: 40
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Exam Block
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

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

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

QC08 Standard Foundation Program

  1. Demonstrate and apply theoretical, conceptual and/or technical knowledge based on the discipline of study
    Relates to: Mid-Semester Examination, Mathematical Assignment, End of Semester Examination
  2. Apply critical, creative and analytical thinking and effective problem solving in a range of contexts
    Relates to: Mid-Semester Examination, Mathematical Assignment, End of Semester Examination
  3. Apply academic, information and digital literacy skills appropriate to undergraduate study
    Relates to: Mathematical Assignment

QC18 University Preparation Program

  1. Demonstrate and apply theoretical, conceptual and/or technical knowledge based on the discipline of study
    Relates to: Mid-Semester Examination, Mathematical Assignment, End of Semester Examination
  2. Apply critical, creative and analytical thinking and effective problem solving in a range of contexts
    Relates to: Mid-Semester Examination, Mathematical Assignment, End of Semester Examination
  3. Apply academic, information and digital literacy skills appropriate to undergraduate study
    Relates to: Mathematical Assignment