APP MTH 4052 - Applied Mathematics Topic F - Honours

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2020

Please contact the School of Mathematical Sciences for further details, or view course information on the School of Mathematical Sciences web site at http://www.maths.adelaide.edu.au

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code APP MTH 4052
    Course Applied Mathematics Topic F - Honours
    Coordinating Unit Mathematical Sciences
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 2.5 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Restrictions Honours Students Only
    Assessment Ongoing assessment, exam
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Michael Chen

    This is the same course as APP MTH 7088 - Applied Mathematics Topic F
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    In 2020 the title of this course will be: Practical asymptotics

    Differential equation models of real world problems are often very complex. Perturbation methods and asymptotic techniques can be used to systematically derive simpler versions of these models by exploiting the presence of small (or large) parameters; the idea being that the new model is mathematically tractable and still describes the behaviour of the original. This is useful, for example, in problems which involve slender geometries, or for situations where both small and large time scales are important.

    This course is a broad introduction to asymptotic techniques and their application. Topics covered include: asymptotic evaluation of integrals; perturbations methods; boundary-layer theory; asymptotic matching; multi-scale analysis and asymptotics beyond all orders. Case studies will be used to demonstrate the utility of these techniques for problems from fluid mechanics, biology and industry.

    Assumed knowledge: Necessary material from previous courses will be briefly revised (solution of ODEs & PDEs; applied complex variables). Some MATLAB (or similar) is helpful, but not essential.

    Learning outcomes

    On successful completion of this course students will be able to
    1. develop ODE and PDE models of real world problems;
    2. understand the concept and properties of an asymptotic expansion;
    3. derive reduced models via asymptotic and perturbation methods, and construct solutions;
    4. interpret model solutions in terms of a physical problem.

    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    all
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    all
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    All required materials will be provided.  
    Recommended Resources
    T. Witelski, M. Bowen, Methods of Mathematical Modelling: Continuous Systems and Differential Equations, Springer, 2015. (electronic version available from UoA library)

    C.M. Bender, S.A. Orszag, Advanced Mathematical Methods for Scientists and Engineers I: Asymptotic Methods and Perturbation Theory, Springer, 1999. (electronic version available from UoA library)
    Online Learning
    This course uses MyUni for providing electronic resources, such as assignments and handouts, and for making course announcements. It is recommended that students make appropriate use of these resources. Link to MyUni login page: https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/webapps/login/
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course relies on lectures as the primary delivery mechanism for the material. Written assignments supplement the lectures by providing example problems to enhance the understanding obtained through lectures and provides assessment opportunities for students to gauge their progress and understanding.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Activity   Quantity Workload Hours
    Lectures 30 90
    Tutorials 6 18
    Assignments 5 40
    Project 1 8
    Total 156
    Learning Activities Summary

    Learning activities summary

    1. develop models for real world applications;
    2. introductory perturbation methods;
    3. asymptotic techniques;
    4. multi-scale modelling and homogenisation theory.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Component Weighting Objective Assessed
    Assignments/Project 30% all
    Exam 70% all
    Assessment Related Requirements
    An aggregate score of at least 50% is required to pass the course.
    Assessment Detail
    Assessment item Distributed Due date Weighting
    Assignment 1 Week 1 Week 3 5%
    Assignment 2 Week 4 Week 6 5%
    Assignment 3 Week 7 Week 8 5%
    Assignment 4 Week 9 Week 10 5%
    Assignment 5 Week 10 Week 12 5%
    Project Week 6 Week 13 5%
    Submission
    All written assignments are to be submitted to the lecturer with a signed cover sheet attached. There will be a maximum two week turn-around time on assignments for feedback to students.

    Late assignments will not be accepted, but students may be excused from an assignment for medical or compassionate reasons. In such cases, documentation is required and the lecturer must be notified as soon as possible before the fact.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M11 (Honours Mark Scheme)
    GradeGrade reflects following criteria for allocation of gradeReported on Official Transcript
    Fail A mark between 1-49 F
    Third Class A mark between 50-59 3
    Second Class Div B A mark between 60-69 2B
    Second Class Div A A mark between 70-79 2A
    First Class A mark between 80-100 1
    Result Pending An interim result RP
    Continuing Continuing CN

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.