MXB202 Advanced Calculus

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

Advanced calculus is fundamental to the study of applied mathematics and related quantitative disciplines such as physics, physical chemistry and engineering. This unit introduces you to new skills and methodologies in multivariable and vector calculus that are essential to the study of science, technology and engineering, and it also provides you with the necessary background to go on to more advanced study in applied mathematics, such as partial differential equations and advanced mathematical modelling. This unit builds on your introductory calculus and linear algebra skills developed in MXB105 Calculus and Differential Equations and MXB106 Linear Algebra, and will further develop your ability to decompose complex problems into smaller components, resolve these smaller components and hence solve the original problem.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Communicate mathematics and problem solutions clearly and consistently both in written and oral forms.
2. Recognise, construct and solve problems, both in abstract and real world contexts, using the critical thinking and the mathematical theory of advanced calculus.
3. Decompose complex problems into smaller components, resolve these smaller components and hence the original problem.

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit involves 2 hours of lectures each week where theory and concepts will be presented and discussed, and where you will be exposed to the processes required to solve problems using the methods of this unit. There will also be 2 hours of workshop activities each week.

The material presented will be context-based utilising examples from a range of real-world applications and purely mathematical scenarios. The emphasis will be on learning by doing, learning in groups and as individuals, written and oral communication, and developing skills and attitudes to promote life-long learning.

In workshops and lectures, you will engage in collaborative activity with peers, tutors and lecturers. You will work with experts and peers to develop effective methods/approaches for communicating, retrieving, evaluating and presenting information.

You will present for assessment and feedback, solutions to problems set throughout the semester in the workshops.

You are expected to work in any lecture/workshop session times allocated, but also in your own private study time. That is, you are expected to consolidate the material presented during class by working a wide variety of exercises, problems and online learning activities in your own time.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Formative feedback will be available throughout the semester.

Assessment

Overview

The assessment items in this unit are designed to determine your level of competency in meeting the unit outcomes while providing you with a range of tasks with varying levels of skill development and difficulty.

QUT’s extension policy may not apply to all assessment items in this unit. The extension policy pertaining to each assessment item can be found on the unit Canvas site.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Quiz

Assessment: Problem Solving Task

This assessment will consist of problem solving tasks to be completed individually. These will consist of problem-solution based exercises to demonstrate your understanding of theoretical concepts and their application.

Assessment: Examination (invigilated)

You will be required to complete a formal, end of semester examination where you will demonstrate your skills, techniques and problem solving abilities. The exam may include short and long answer type questions.

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.

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

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

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineer

1: Knowledge and Skill Base

1. 
   Relates to: Quiz, Problem Solving Task, Examination (invigilated)

2: Engineering Application Ability

1. 
   Relates to: Problem Solving Task
2. 
   Relates to: Quiz, Problem Solving Task, Examination (invigilated)

3: Professional and Personal Attributes

1. 
   Relates to: Quiz, Problem Solving Task, Examination (invigilated)