EUB256 Exploring, Representing and Interpreting Mathematical Change


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Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Unit code:EUB256
Credit points:12
Coordinator:Dann Mallet | dg.mallet@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

Understanding the mathematical representation of numerical change is fundamental to modelling the physical world. This unit takes a fresh look at the ideas that contribute to such an understanding, building on some of the concepts in EUB153. This unit shows how the relatively simple topics of algebra, geometry and trigonometry can be contextualised and represented, and how these topics can be extended into introductory calculus. A key aspect of this unit will be the development of your confidence and ability to communicate with others regarding these mathematical topics.

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Demonstrate understanding of mathematical knowledge.
  2. Reflect critically upon mathematical practices and the learning of mathematics.
  3. Demonstrate your mathematical problem solving and reasoning skills when creatively and innovatively applying your mathematical understanding to real world and purely mathematical contexts.
  4. Work individually and with others to develop mathematical understanding and skills.
  5. Use mathematical language, conventions and representations and English language conventions to communicate mathematical understanding and skills.

Content

In this unit you will explore how varying quantities can be represented mathematically through sequences and functions, and gain experience in working with such representations algebraically and visually. You will investigate some of the common functions that arise frequently when mathematics is applied to investigate and solve problems in real life. You will use these functions to explore mathematical relationships, visualisation and the concept of change, all of which are central to algebra and calculus taught in the senior years of high school. Importantly, there will be an emphasis on you developing an understanding of the concepts involved with the mathematics of change, the processes and techniques used to apply this understanding and on communicating arguments and strategies when solving problems. You will develop your understanding and skill in regard to mathematical topics including arithmetic and geometric sequences, the properties, visualisation, and nature of common functions, the concepts of change and accumulation, and how these can be investigated mathematically through differential and integral calculus. The use of technology (such as computer algebra systems and dynamic geometry software) will be integral to these investigations and will allow you to see new ways of representing and communicating your understanding of numerical change.

 

Learning Approaches

This unit is delivered as a series of workshops that you will attend during the semester. You will participate in a range of online and face-to-face learning activities before, during, and after the workshops. These learning activities will present the mathematical content of the unit using a mix of real world and abstract, purely mathematical contexts. These learning activities will support the development and consolidation of your understanding of the unit's mathematical content knowledge and your skills as a mathematician. A key element of these workshops will be collaborative activities that permit the sharing of ideas with peers and the giving and receiving of feedback which will develop your skills in communicating mathematics with others, using the conventions of the discipline and of the English language. The learning activities will also prompt you to critically reflect upon your learning of mathematics and the ways that you work with others when doing mathematical activity.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback on your learning in is this unit will be provided to you in a variety of ways:

  • The completion and discussion of workshop activities will support the development of your understanding and ability in regard to mathematical knowledge and skills. Your active participation in these workshops will provide you with an opportunity to test your ideas, receive feedback from your peers and your tutor, and refine your understanding and ability. The feedback received through participation in the workshop activities will directly contribute to your completion of the unit's summative assessment tasks; and
  • In regard to feedback on your submitted summative assessment, you will receive feedback in multiple ways: generic comments will be provided to the entire cohort via the Canvas system; completed criterion-referenced assessment rubrics will show your achievement with regard to each criterion of the assessment task; and written or verbal comments in regard to your work.

Assessment

Overview

There are two assessment items: the Exam you will sit at the end of the semester; and the Task Folio to be completed during the semester.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Task Folio

Throughout the unit, you will complete a series of tasks directly related to the unit's content. These tasks will be completed and submitted progressively during the semester.

This task will assess your understanding of the mathematical content knowledge presented during the semester and your ability to apply that understanding to solve mathematical problems of varying conceptual complexity and context familiarity. It will also assess your ability to communicate your mathematical understanding and skills using the language, representations and conventions of mathematics and using the using text, grammar and vocabulary conventions of the English language. One or more of the tasks will also prompt you to reflect upon and describe the ways in which you learn and do mathematics and/or how you collaborate with others.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 60
Length: 2000 words or equivalent
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 10 Sunday
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Assessment: Examination (written)

At the conclusion of the semester, you will complete an examination that covers the breadth of unit content. The examination will include questions related to mathematical concepts, their representations, and their application in problem solving and reasoning. The use of suitable technology will be permitted.

This task will assess your understanding of the mathematical content knowledge presented during the semester and your ability to apply that understanding to solve mathematical problems of varying conceptual complexity and context familiarity. It will also assess your ability to communicate your mathematical understanding and skills using the language, representations and conventions of mathematics and using the text, grammar and vocabulary conventions of the English language.

Weight: 40
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Central Examination Period
Central exam duration: 3:10 - Including 10 minute perusal
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 3, 5

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

The following resource materials will be used throughout this unit. 

Resource Materials

Other

There are no set texts for this unit. Links to suggested readings and resources will be published via the Canvas and/or QUT Readings systems.

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with the general conduct of this unit. Workplace Health and Safety protocols associated with computer use will apply.