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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2017/2018

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Mathematics : Mathematics

Undergraduate Course: Mathematics for the Natural Sciences 1a (MATH08072)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Mathematics CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThe course is a first university level course for students of Chemistry and related disciplines. It provides key basic mathematical skills and leads naturally to calculus in MATH08073 Mathematics for the Natural Sciences 1b.
This course is restricted to students who are also taking CHEM08016 Chemistry 1a or by agreement of the Course Organiser.
Course description This course will cover topics in a first university course in Mathematics but not including calculus and includes the following syllabus:

Numbers , errors and data. Statistical data and probability.
Functions: the circular, hyperbolic and logarithmic functions and their inverses. Implicit functions, piecewise functions.
Random variables, discrete and continuous probability distributions; the central limit theorem.
Complex numbers: Cartesian, polar form and de Moivre's theorem.
Basic vector algebra; scalar product, vector product, triple product and geometry.
Matrices, inverses and determinants, linear equations and elimination.
Rank, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, symmetric matrices.

The course will consist of 3 lectures, 1 tutorial hour and 1 workshop, each week. The workshop will be delivered by the School of Chemistry to showcase applications of the Mathematical topics covered.

Basic Mathematical skills will be developed using on-line quizzes and end of week e-assessments. Mathematical writing skills will be tested in three written assignments. Further more applied problems will be assessed in two Chemistry related assessments.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Students MUST NOT also be taking Engineering Mathematics 1a (MATH08074) OR Mathematics for Science and Engineering 1a (MATH08060)
Other requirements A in SQA Higher Mathematics or equivalent
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2017/18, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  None
Course Start Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 33, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 11, Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 5, Summative Assessment Hours 3, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 144 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 80 %, Coursework 20 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) On-line assessments: 5%, Written Mathematics Assignments: 5%, Written Chemistry based Mathematics assignments: 10%
Examination: 80%
Feedback There will be five opportunities for feedback on written skills. Each lecture is accompanied by an on-line quiz which will provide instant feedback on basic skills.
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S1 (December)Mathematics for the Natural Sciences 1a (MATH08072) 3:00
Resit Exam Diet (August)Mathematics for the Natural Sciences 1a (MATH08072) 3:00
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Students will have fluency in algebraic and numerical manipulations up to and including the Binomial Theorem as well as manipulating expressions involving polynomial, trigonometric and hyperbolic trigonometric functions.
  2. Students will have skills in manipulating vectors and matrices up to and including eignevectors.
  3. Students will be fluent in manipulating complex numbers.
  4. Students will be able to find the appropriate tools to use to solve problems involving one or more areas of the syllabus.
  5. Students will have an understanding of statistical data, computing probabilities and using common probability distributions.
Reading List
Students will be assumed to have acquired their personal copy of :

"Mathematics for Science and Engineering 1", adapted from Modern Engineering Mathematics, 5th Edition by Glyn James.


Note that this is a special edition for Edinburgh University Students and is new for this year.
It is only available from Blackwell's bookshop on South Bridge in Edinburgh.
It includes essential access to the on-line assessment and resource system.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Students will have key skills in basic algebra, functions, probability, statistics, vectors, matrices and complex numbers.
KeywordsMNS1a,algebra,polynomials,functions,complex numbers,vectors,matrices.
Contacts
Course organiserDr Antony Maciocia
Tel: (0131 6)50 5994
Email:
Course secretaryMs Nicole Luu
Tel: (0131 6)50 5059
Email:
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