- Offered for Year: 2023/24
- Module Leader(s): Dr Paul McFadden
- Owning School: Mathematics, Statistics and Physics
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
|
Semester 1 Credit Value:
|
10
|
|
ECTS Credits:
|
5.0
|
Aims
This module introduces the essential concepts of algebra relevant for the physical sciences, including complex numbers, vectors and matrices.
Outline Of Syllabus
Complex numbers: arithmetic, the complex plane, polar form, Euler's formula, de Moivre's theorem, roots of unity.
Vectors: sums, products (scalar, vector, triple), orthogonality, equations of lines and planes.
Linear algebra: matrix addition, multiplication and inversion, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalisation, determinants, Cramer's rule, Gaussian elimination.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category |
Activity |
Number |
Length |
Student Hours |
Comment |
|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 37 | 1:00 | 37:00 | Completion of in course assignments/ examination revision |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Revision Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | Formal Lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 41 | 1:00 | 41:00 | Preparation time for lectures, background reading, coursework review |
| Total | | | | 100:00 | |
Jointly Taught With
| Code |
Title |
|---|
| MAS1610 | Introductory Algebra (for Psychology students) |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The teaching methods are appropriate to allow students to develop a wide range of skills, from understanding basic concepts and facts to higher-order thinking.
Lectures are used for the delivery of theory and explanation of methods, illustrated with examples, and for giving general feedback on marked work.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description |
Length |
Semester |
When Set |
Percentage |
Comment |
|---|
| Written Examination | 120 | 1 | A | 60 | N/A |
Exam Pairings
| Module Code |
Module Title |
Semester |
Comment |
|---|
| MAS1610 | Introductory Algebra (for Psychology students) | 1 | N/A |
Other Assessment
| Description |
Semester |
When Set |
Percentage |
Comment |
|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | 40 | Problem-solving exercises |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
A substantial formal unseen examination is appropriate for the assessment of the material in this module. The format of the examination will enable students to reliably demonstrate their own knowledge, understanding and application of learning outcomes. The assurance of academic integrity forms a necessary part of programme accreditation.
Examination problems may require a synthesis of concepts and strategies from different sections, while they may have more than one ways for solution. The examination time allows the students to test different strategies, work out examples and gather evidence for deciding on an effective strategy, while carefully articulating their ideas and explicitly citing the theory they are using.
The coursework assignments allow the students to develop their problem solving techniques, to practise the methods learnt in the module, to assess their progress and to receive feedback; these assessments have a secondary formative purpose as well as their primary summative purpose.
Reading Lists
Timetable
