Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Mathematics & Physics School
This course provides an introduction to basic numerical methods and computer programming for the solution of a number of classes of scientific problems. The course is interdisciplinary in nature, incorporating a number of case studies in biology, physics, chemistry, and engineering.
The course provides an introduction to numerical methods and their use in computational science. The variety of methods used for numerical analysis, numerical linear algebra, and the solution of equations and differential equations provides a broad foundation for computational science.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Students are assumed to have completed courses covering calculus and linear algebra, and to have some experience in programming.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
COSC2500 (co-taught).
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
There are multiple computer lab sessions (tutorials). You are only expected to attend one. There is no Allocation. You may attend any of them. Computer lab sessions will begin in Week 1 (Week 1 labs are an introduction to programming).
If you are ill, then do not attend any classes in person.ᅠ
There will be no lecture or computer lab session onᅠWednesday 14th August due to the Ekka Public Holiday day. The programming lectures will continue the following week. Students who usually attend the Wednesday computer lab are welcome to attend any of the Friday lab sessions that week.
Aims and outcomes
The course aims to introduce students to the toolbox of widely-used numerical methods in computational science. Students will be able to apply these methods to problems in a variety of sciences.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
understand the numerical methods used in computational science
LO2.
be able to apply numerical methods to problems in practice.
LO3.
develop, use, and understand software which uses numerical methods
LO4.
understand the role of numerical methods in science
LO5.
engage in scientific and technical communication
Assessment
Assessment summary
Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
---|---|---|---|
Tutorial/ Problem Set | Module 1-4 assignments | 70% ,24 marks |
Module 1: 30/08/2024 3:00 pm Module 2: 20/09/2024 3:00 pm Module 3: 11/10/2024 3:00 pm Module 4: 25/10/2024 3:00 pm |
Project | Project | 30% ,20 marks |
25/10/2024 2:00 pm |
Assessment details
Module 1-4 assignments
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 70% ,24 marks
- Due date
Module 1: 30/08/2024 3:00 pm
Module 2: 20/09/2024 3:00 pm
Module 3: 11/10/2024 3:00 pm
Module 4: 25/10/2024 3:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Students will work on sets of exercises, one for each of modules 1-4. The exercises will primarily consist of practical computer exercises, but can include mathematical and research tasks as well.
Submission guidelines
Exercises must be submitted via the course Blackboard site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
See ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT INFORMATION for the extension information relating to this assessment item.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item then the listed penalty will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point any submission will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is recorded from the time the submission is due.
Project
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Project
- Weight
- 30% ,20 marks
- Due date
25/10/2024 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Project on topic of student's choice. Students will submit a written report. Students will have an oral exam for their project. Oral exams will be held during from week 13 to the end of the exam period; times and dates will be individually arranged.
Submission guidelines
The project must be submitted via the course Blackboard site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
See ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT INFORMATION for the extension information relating to this assessment item.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item then the listed penalty will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point any submission will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is recorded from the time the submission is due.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
Grade | Description |
---|---|
1 (Low Fail) |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A grade of 1 will be awarded if assessable work is handed in, and the weighted average of grades awarded for assessment tasks is below 2. |
2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A grade of 2 will be awarded if the weighted average of grades awarded for assessment tasks is 2 or above, but below 3. |
3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: A grade of 3 will be awarded if the weighted average of grades awarded for assessment tasks is 3 or above, but below 4.125. |
4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A grade of 4 will be awarded if the weighted average of grades awarded for assessment tasks is 4.125 or above, but below 4.4. In addition, a grade of 3 or higher must be obtained on the final exam. |
5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A grade of 5 will be awarded if the weighted average of grades awarded for assessment tasks is 4.4 or above, but the requirements for a grade of 6 or higher are not met. |
6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A grade of 6 will be awarded if the weighted average of grades awarded for assessment tasks is 4.6 or above, and 14-27 marks are obtained. |
7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: A grade of 7 will be awarded if the weighted average of grades awarded for assessment tasks is 4.6 or above, and 28 or more marks are obtained. |
Additional course grading information
Assessment tasks are awarded a grade of 1-5 based on the achievement of the standards required for each grade. If the assessment task demonstrates achievement of the standards required for a grade of 6 or 7 are still awarded a grade of 5, but are also awarded marks that will contribute towards the achievement of a final grade of 6 or 7. The number of additional marks depends on the assessment task. Exceptional work may be awarded bonus marks.
The final grade for the course is determined by (a) the weighted average of grades for individual assessment tasks other than the project, and (b) marks awarded if the weighted average is 4.6ᅠor higher.
Note that the project does not contribute towards grades of 1-5 since it is not included in the weighted average. The project will be awarded marks towards a grade of 6 or 7 if of a sufficient standard. Therefore, the project is not required to obtain a pass or a grade of 5 in the course, but can contribute significantly towards higher grades.
Note that a grade of 3 is required on the final exam to pass the course (obtain a final grade of 4 or higher).
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Should you fail a course with a grade of 3, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment. Refer to my.UQ for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply.
Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.
If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met.
Supplementary assessment in this course will consist of exercises equivalent to the computer exercises for Modules 1-4, and an interview where the student will answer questions about the work done on the exercises. An average grade of 4 for these assessment items is required to pass the course.
Additional assessment information
Artificial Intelligence
The assessment tasks in this course evaluate students’ abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Applications for Extensions to Assessment Due Dates
Extension requests are submitted online via my.UQ – applying for an extension. Extension requests received in any other way will not be approved. Additional details associated with extension requests, including acceptable and unacceptable reasons, may be found at my.UQ.
Please note:
- Requests for an extension to an assessment due date must be submitted through your my.UQ portal and you must provide documentation of your circumstances, as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed. Your application must be submitted on or before the assessment item's due date and time.
- Applications for extension can take time to be processed so you should continue to work on your assessment item while awaiting a decision. We recommend that you submit any completed work by the due date, and this will be marked if your application is not approved. Should your application be approved, then you will be able to resubmit by the agreed revised due date.
- If an extension is approved, you will be notified via your my.UQ portal and the new date and time for submission provided. It is important that you check the revised date as it may differ from the date that you requested.
- If the basis of the application is a medical condition, applications should be accompanied by a medical certificate dated prior to the assignment due date. If you are unable to provide documentation to support your application by the due date and time you must still submit your application on time and attach a written statement (Word document) outlining why you cannot provide the documentation. You must then upload the documentation to the portal within 24 hours.
- If an extension is being sought on the basis of exceptional circumstances, it must be accompanied by supporting documentation (eg. Statutory declaration).
- For extensions based on a SAP you may be granted a maximum of 7 days (if no earlier maximum timeframe applies). See the Extension or Deferral availability section of each assessment for details. Your SAP is all that is required as documentation to support your application. However, additional extension requests for the assessment item will require the submission of additional supporting documentation e.g., a medical certificate. All extension requests must be received by the assessment due date and time.
- An extension for an assessment item due within the teaching period in which the course is offered, must not exceed four weeks in total. If you are incapacitated for a period exceeding four weeks of the teaching period, you are advised to apply for Removal of Course.
- If you have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 14 days, you are advised to carefully consider whether you are capable of successfully completing your courses this semester. You might be eligible to withdraw without academic penalty - seek advice from the Faculty that administers your program.
- Students may be asked to submit evidence of work completed to date. Lack of adequate progress on your assessment item may result in an extension being denied.
- There are no provisions for exemption from an assessment item within UQ rules. If you are unable to submit an assessment piece then, under special circumstances, you may be granted an exemption, but may be required to submit alternative assessment to ensure all learning outcomes are met.
Applications to defer an exam
In certain circumstances you can apply to take a deferred examination for in-semester and end-of-semester exams. You'll need to demonstrate through supporting documentation how unavoidable circumstances prevented you from sitting your exam. If you can’t, you can apply for a one-off discretionary deferred exam.
Deferred Exam requests are submitted online via mySi-net. Requests received in any other way will not be approved. Additional details associated with deferred examinations, including acceptable and unacceptable reasons may be found at my.UQ.
Please note:
- Applications can be submitted no later than 5 calendar days after the date of the original exam.
- There are no provisions to defer a deferred exam. You need to be available to sit your deferred examination.
- Your deferred examination request(s) must have a status of "submitted" in mySI-net to be assessed.
- All applications for deferred in-semester examinations are assessed by the relevant school. Applications for deferred end-of-semester examinations are assessed by the Academic Services Division.
- You’ll receive an email to your student email account when the status of your application is updated.
- If you have a medical condition, mental health condition or disability and require alternative arrangements for your deferred exam you’ll need to complete the online alternative exam arrangements through my.UQ. This is in addition to your deferred examinations request. You need to submit this request on the same day as your request for a deferred exam or supplementary assessment. Contact Student Services if you need assistance completing your alternative exam arrangements request.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
---|---|---|
Multiple weeks |
Lecture |
Lectures Lectures will include a brief coverage of the core content, further material on programming, and case studies of the use of numerical methods in computational science. Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
Information technology session |
Computer exercises Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
|
Information technology session |
Computer labs Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.