Course coordinator
Dr Peter Schouten
Course overview
- Study period
- , 2024 (14/10/2024 - 27/06/2025)
- Study level
- UQ College
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 3.2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- UQ College
Mathematical Methods aims to develop understanding of basic mathematical ideas and the manipulative skills required for solving mathematical problems. These skills are applied with technological tools to solve problems related to real-life situations. Topics covered include computation, sequences and series, logarithmic and exponential functions, polynomial functions, trigonometry and trigonometric functions, differential and integral calculus and statistics and probability. This subject includes the study of the application of mathematical models to real-life situations.
Mathematical Methods is based on the Maths Methods syllabus of the Queensland and Australian Curriculum. It should be chosen as a core course for those who require a higher level of Mathematics before starting undergraduate studies. This course aims to develop understanding of basic mathematical ideas and the manipulative skills required for solving mathematical problems. These skills are applied with technological tools to solve problems related to real-life situations. Topics covered include computation, sequences and series, logarithmic and exponential functions, polynomial functions, trigonometry, differential and integral calculus, and statistics and probability.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Year 10 Advanced Maths or a knowledge of year 11 Mathematical Methods would provide a sound background for this course.
Course contact
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Timetables will beﾠavailableﾠto students on Edval.
Please refer to theﾠQLD government website for Public holiday information.
Aims and outcomes
This course includes in-depth study of:
- Algebra, statistics and functions relating to linear relations.
- Quadratics.
- Polynomials.
- Exponentials.
- Logarithms and trigonometry.
- Calculus: Differentiation and integration.
After completing this course students will be able to:
- Use mathematical concepts, knowledge and understanding to solve mathematical problems.
- Interpret problems and formulate statements in mathematical language in order to solve problems.
- Relate applications to mathematics in real world practical contexts.
- Apply technology in mathematics.
- Communicate mathematical concepts clearly in written and spoken form to the university entrance standard.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Select, recall and use facts, rules, definitions and procedures drawn from Algebra, Functions, Relations and their graphs, Calculus and Statistics.
LO2.
Comprehend and apply mathematical concepts and techniques to real life/simulated situations.
LO3.
Draw and interpret graphs of mathematical functions and relations.
LO4.
Solve practical problems by applying mathematical concepts and techniques drawn from Algebra, Functions, Relations and their graphs, Calculus and Statistics.
LO5.
Communicate using mathematical, statistical and everyday language and conventions.
LO6.
Evaluate the reasonableness of solutions.
LO7.
Justify procedures and decisions through mathematical reasoning.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination |
Quiz
|
5% |
18/11/2024 - 22/11/2024 |
| Examination |
Quiz
|
15% |
16/12/2024 - 20/12/2024 |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project | Graphing Project | 20% |
28/02/2025 10:00 pm |
| Examination |
Term 2 Exam
|
20% |
Term 2 Exam Block |
| Examination |
Calculus Differentiation Exam
|
20% |
12/05/2025 - 16/05/2025 |
| Examination |
Calculus Integration Exam
|
20% |
Term 3 Exam Block |
Assessment details
Quiz
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 5%
- Due date
18/11/2024 - 22/11/2024
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L06, L07
Task description
Basic computation; Statistics.
Format: Short answer, Problem solving.
Simple Familiar (60%), Complex Familiar (20%) & Complex Unfamiliar (20%) questions.
Exam details
| Planning time | 5 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Calculator options | Casio FX82 series calculator only |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Completed during scheduled class time.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
UQ College students can apply for an extension or deferral. Please refer to UQ College Assessment Extensions, Exam Deferrals and Late Penalty Policy and Procedure.
Quiz
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
16/12/2024 - 20/12/2024
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04
Task description
Linear relations; Quadratics; Inverse relationships.
Simple Familiar (60%), Complex Familiar (20%) & Complex Unfamiliar (20%) questions.
Exam details
| Planning time | 5 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Calculator options | Casio FX82 series calculator only |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Completed during scheduled class time.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
UQ College students can apply for an extension or deferral. Please refer to UQ College Assessment Extensions, Exam Deferrals and Late Penalty Policy and Procedure.
Graphing Project
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
28/02/2025 10:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04, L05, L06
Task description
The task involves graphing functions applied to a real-world scenario and investigating the effects of changing different transformation parameters. The graphs to be investigated may include: linear, quadratic, cubic, exponential and logarithmic, hyperbolic and trigonometric functions. Desmos and/or Microsoft Excel will be used to graph and analyse these functions.
Submission guidelines
Final Submission via Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
UQ College students can apply for an extension or deferral. Please refer to UQ College Assessment Extensions, Exam Deferrals and Late Penalty Policy and Procedure.
Late submission
Refer to UQ College Assessment Extensions, Exam Deferrals and Late Penalty Policy and Procedure.
Term 2 Exam
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
Term 2 Exam Block
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07
Task description
Indices and logarithms; Circular measures; Trigonometry; Arithmetic and geometric sequences.
Format: Short answer, Problem solving.
Simple Familiar (60%), Complex Familiar (20%) & Complex Unfamiliar (20%) questions.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | Casio FX82 series calculator only |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
UQ College students can apply for an extension or deferral. Please refer to UQ College Assessment Extensions, Exam Deferrals and Late Penalty Policy and Procedure.
Calculus Differentiation Exam
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
12/05/2025 - 16/05/2025
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04, L05, L06, L07
Task description
Rates of change; Differentiation; Applications of differentiation.
Format: Short answer, Problem solving.
Simple Familiar (60%), Complex Familiar (20%) & Complex Unfamiliar (20%) questions.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | Casio FX82 series calculator only |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
UQ College students can apply for an extension or deferral. Please refer to UQ College Assessment Extensions, Exam Deferrals and Late Penalty Policy and Procedure.
Calculus Integration Exam
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
Term 3 Exam Block
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
Integration; Applications of integration.
Format: Short answer, Problem solving.
Simple Familiar (60%), Complex Familiar (20%) & Complex Unfamiliar (20%) questions.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | Casio FX82 series calculator only |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
UQ College students can apply for an extension or deferral. Please refer to UQ College Assessment Extensions, Exam Deferrals and Late Penalty Policy and Procedure.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Students are assessed on a 1-7 grading scale via rubrics produced for each assessment item. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Students are assessed on a 1-7 grading scale via rubrics produced for each assessment item. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Students are assessed on a 1-7 grading scale via rubrics produced for each assessment item. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Students are assessed on a 1-7 grading scale via rubrics produced for each assessment item. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Students are assessed on a 1-7 grading scale via rubrics produced for each assessment item. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Students are assessed on a 1-7 grading scale via rubrics produced for each assessment item. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Students are assessed on a 1-7 grading scale via rubrics produced for each assessment item. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Artificial Intelligence (AI):
Assessment tasks evaluate students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Feedback on Assessmentﾠ
In addition to the mark awarded, feedback will be provided on all assessment tasks to enable students to apply the feedback to further tasks within the course or program. The form of feedback provided is appropriate to the task weighting, timing, and context, and with reference to criteria and standards.ﾠ
Appropriate conditions for group work and collaborationﾠ
Teachers usually aim for groups of 3-4 and provide preparation for group work activities (examples can include discussions, role-playing, and identifying strengths and weaknesses) to maximise students’ learning and performance.ﾠ
Assignment submissionﾠ
Unless advised otherwise,ﾠassignments are to be submitted electronically via Blackboard. Instructions for submission are in the Assessment folder in your course Blackboard site.ﾠﾠ
Calculator policyﾠ
If a calculator is permitted for use in an examination, the calculator must comply with the University of Queensland Calculator Scheme. Where calculators are permitted for use in the examination, students are advised to ensure that the calculator complies with the type nominated by the course coordinator. Unless the type is unrestricted, the calculator must be either a Casio FX82 seriesﾠcalculator, orﾠhave an 'approved label' attached which can be obtained from the Student Centre. Please refer to theﾠmy.UQﾠwebsiteﾠfor information on the use of calculators in examinations.ﾠ
Referencing styleﾠ
All relevant material MUST be correctly referenced using theﾠAPA 7th referencing style.ﾠ
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.
Additional learning resources information
Additional learning resources are also available on the Blackboard course website (http://learn.uq.edu.au).
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 |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (14 Oct - 20 Oct) |
Lecture |
Basic Computation Significant figures, rounding, scientific notation; Calculating percentages, using four operations, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of fractions and decimals; Solving basic algebraic equations. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 2 (21 Oct - 27 Oct) |
Lecture |
Statistics - Introduction Display of data using frequency distribution tables and histograms; Using relative frequencies and histograms to calculate statistical measures; Measures of central tendency and spread; Understand the concept of a probability density function. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L05 |
Week 3 (28 Oct - 03 Nov) |
Lecture |
Statistics - Probability Review the concepts and language of outcomes, sample spaces and events; Calculating probabilities; Use Venn diagrams to illustrate and represent practical occurrences; Recall rules for probability - complement of an event, union, and intersection; Use Addition rule. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 4 (04 Nov - 10 Nov) |
Lecture |
Statistics - Types of Events Mutually exclusive events, independent events; Combining events use of Multiplication Theorem; Conditional probability (by reduced sample space); Binomial probability and Pascal s triangle. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 5 (11 Nov - 17 Nov) |
Lecture |
Statistics - Normal distribution Understand the Normal distribution and the use of Z scores; Recognise features of the normal distribution curve and the use of mean and standard deviation; Calculate the expected value, variance, and standard deviation of a continuous random variable. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Multiple weeks From Week 6 To Week 7 |
Lecture |
Linear Relations Graphing linear relations. Examine transformations of graphs; Finding gradient and x and y intercepts; Finding gradient of a line given two points; Parallel and perpendicular lines. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07 |
Multiple weeks From Week 8 To Week 9 |
Lecture |
Quadratics Graph quadratics by finding intercepts, turning point, axes of symmetry and/or table of values; Solve quadratic equations by: (a) factorisation and Null Factor Theorem, (b) quadratic formula, and (c) completing the square. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07 |
Week 10 (16 Dec - 22 Dec) |
Lecture |
Inverse Proportion Review concept of direct proportion; Examine and solve problems using inverse proportion; Recognise features of inverse functions including their hyperbolic shape, the intercepts, their asymptotes, and behaviour as x approaches infinity. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Multiple weeks From Week 11 To Week 12 |
Lecture |
Indices and Logarithms Review index laws; Define logarithms as indices; Use laws of logarithms; Solve indicial and logarithm equations; Use change of base rule. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04, L05 |
Multiple weeks From Week 13 To Week 14 |
Lecture |
Functions and Relations Identify domain and range from a graph; Identify dependent and independent variables; Use function notation; Expand quadratic and cubic polynomials from factors; Recognise features of cubic graphs such as shape, intercepts, and behaviour as x approaches infinity; Graph power functions. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07 |
Week 15 (03 Feb - 09 Feb) |
Lecture |
Circular Functions Review circle terminology and common formulae for circumference and area of a circle; Calculate area of a sector and arc length; Understand and use radian measure. Convert radians to degrees and vice versa. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Multiple weeks From Week 16 To Week 18 |
Lecture |
Trigonometry Review common trigonometric ratios: sine, cosine, and tangent; Understand the unit circle definition of sine, cosine, and tangent; Know and use the exact values for trigonometric ratios involving π/6, π/3, π/4; Calculate angles of any magnitude in each of the four quadrants. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07 |
Week 19 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
Lecture |
Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences Recognise and use the recursive definition to find any term in an arithmetic sequence; Establish and use the formula for the sum of the first n terms of an arithmetic sequence; Recognise and use the recursive definition to find any term in a geometric sequence; Establish and use the formula for the sum of the first n terms of a geometric sequence. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04, L05 |
Week 20 (10 Mar - 16 Mar) |
Workshop |
Revision Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07 |
Week 21 (07 Apr - 13 Apr) |
Lecture |
Rates of Change Recognising relationships between variables; Average rate of change and application to real life situations; Gradient and equation of tangent to curve; Instantaneous rate of change; Process of differentiation from first principles. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07 |
Multiple weeks From Week 22 To Week 24 |
Lecture |
Differentiation Understanding the concept of a limit and a derivative; Rules for differentiation of power functions and polynomials; Rules for sum/difference of functions; Using the chain rule to differentiate. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07 |
Week 25 (05 May - 11 May) |
Lecture |
Application of Differentiation Use curve sketching techniques to find maxima and minima; Apply differentiation to optimisation problems; Application of differentiation to real world problems. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07 |
Multiple weeks From Week 26 To Week 28 |
Lecture |
Integration Recognising that anti-differentiation is the reverse of differentiation; Using correct notation for indefinite integrals; Properties of indefinite integrals; Finding solutions to simple differential equations. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07 |
Week 29 (02 Jun - 08 Jun) |
Lecture |
Application of Integration Apply integration to areas under curves and between curves involving a practical context; Applying integration to kinematics. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07 |
Week 30 (09 Jun - 15 Jun) |
Workshop |
Revision Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07 |
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.