EDUC 1004 - Mathematics for University A

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014

This course offers students of both the University Preparatory Program and The Wilto Yerlo University Preparatory Program the opportunity to advance their mathematical skills in preparation for future university study. Mathematical skills are essential in order to be an effective professional in a wide range of careers and this course provides students with the opportunity to develop these skills. This course advances students mathematical knowledge in functions, with a wide variety of applications. Students will be provided with the opportunity to develop their skills in these content areas to solve mathematical problems relating to real-life situations. The course is available for students with a wide variety of experience and levels of knowledge of mathematics, and activities and assessment will be adjusted to suit individual students.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code EDUC 1004
    Course Mathematics for University A
    Coordinating Unit School of Education
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 36 hours
    Restrictions This class is only open for students in the University Preparatory Program or Wilto Yerlo Preparatory Program.
    Assessment Modelling project x 2; Assignment problem solving in mathematics x 4; End of semester examination (in-class)
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Chad Habel

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    This course aims to:

    1. Develop the skills, capacities and confidence to undertake content-rich undergraduate studies in areas with a mathematical component, creating a potential for success.

    2. Develop the mathematical knowledge of the participants.

    3. Enable participants to create a strong mathematical foundation which will give them academic  opportunities at university level.

    4. Increase the academic and mathematical confidence of the participants.

    5. Develop students’ mathematical problem-solving skills.

    6. Foster students’ capacity to work cooperatively with others.

    7. Foster an ability to identify current and future problems and explore existing and potential solutions both independently and cooperatively.

    8. Develop students' capacity to utilise technology to assist in their application of mathematical knowledge.

    9. Foster an appreciation of mathematics that will create opportunities at very stages in the future, both in academic and personal situations.

    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)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 5, 6, 7, 8
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 5, 6
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 3, 6, 7
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 8
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 4, 5, 6, 7, 9
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 6, 7, 9
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 7, 9
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    There will be no set text.

    Recommended Resources
    The lecturer will establish the recommended resources during weeks 1 and 2 of lectures.

    Online Learning
    MyUni will be an integral part of the teaching and learning process and will be used to facilitate  communication between the student and lecturer outside of the contact hours.  The link to MyUni can be found on the University Website under students but for your reference is https://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/webapps/login/. You will be expected to use MyUni to download and upload assignments, for online tests, to access recommended resources and lecture notes and keep informed of course details and important information which will be posted in the announcements section.

    MyUni will be used for essential communication including via email, so please check your University email regularly (at least three times a week). If you have a smartphone it is strongly recommended that you set up your email on it for easy and regular access to your University email. For guidance on how to do this, visit:

    https://www.adelaide.edu.au/its/networks/mobile/support/config/#mobile

    Remember, the most useful portal for all University online activities is Unified:
    https://unified.adelaide.edu.au/web/mycampus/home

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course will entail a 1 hour lecture per week and 2 hours of workshops/tutorials per week. The focus will be on guided discovery and problem-solving with a high level of support from the lecturer. The student will be responsible for the non-contact activities which will include, but are not limited to, reading,  assignments, problem-solving and studying.

    Workload

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

    1x1 hour lecture per week (x12) 12 hours
    1x2 hour workshop/tutorial per week (x12) 24 hours
    4 hour of readings/problem-solving activities per week (x12) 48 hours
    6 hours independent study per week (x12) 72 hours
    Total 156 hours
    Learning Activities Summary
    Schedule
    Week 1 Pythagoras Homework assignment
    Week 2 Pythagoras - continued Homework assignment
    Week 3 Graphinh linear equations Homework assignment
    Week 4 Linear modelling Homework assignment
    Week 5 Course revision so far Homework assignment
    Week 6 Expanding and factorising quadratics In-class test
    Week 7 Quadratic equations Group project
    Week 8 Graphing quadratics & problem solving Group project due, Homework assignment
    Week 9 Introduction to functions & function notation In-class test
    Week 10 Graphing functions Homework assignment
    Week 11 Eponential functions Homework assignment
    Week 12 Logarithms Homework assignment
  • 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
    The assessment process will be ongoing and will allow for the lecturer to monitor the students progress.

    Student grades will be based on the following:

    * Weekly homework Assignments (all combined will contribute to 10% of total grade)

    * Mid-Semester tests during weeks 6 and 9 (20% each = 40% of total grade)

    * A Mathematical Group Project weeks 6-8 (20% of total grade; same mark given to each member of the group)

    * A Final Examination (end-of-semester, in-class, 30% of total grade)

    Assessment Related Requirements
    Students must attempt all assessment tasks to pass this course. Since the University Preparatory Program is designed to prepare students for success at University, completing and submitting all assignments is central to the intended learning outcomes of the program and each course within it. Often, at least attempting and submitting assignments in the face of difficulty or adversity is enough for success at University and the UPP encourages this resilience by employing this policy in select courses. Please note that the absolute last date for the submission of assignments in Semester 1 is the end of Swot Vac week, which is one week after the final assignment is due.

    If a student fails to submit all assessment tasks and would otherwise have received a grade greater than 45, they will be given a nominal grade of 45 (Fail) for that course in that semester. This will permit them to undertake additional assessment (formerly called academic supplementary assessment) at the Course Coordinator’s discretion, as per policy at http://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/exams/supps.html 

    It is not necessary to apply for additional assessment; this assessment will usually consist of the missed pieces of assessment, but the course coordinator may require more. As per policy 9.1.3.3, if the student
    passes the additional assessment to the Course Coordinator’s satisfaction, the maximum grade they can get for the course is 50 (Pass). If a student’s raw grade is below 45, regardless of whether all tasks have been attempted, this score will stand unless exceptional, documented circumstances apply as per the University’s Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/exams/mod_arrange.html 

    Substantial non-engagement in this course (evidenced by repeated non-attendance at tutorials and failure to submit assessments) may result in students being withdrawn from the University Preparatory Program and being required to apply for reinstatement if they wish to continue.

    Assessment Detail
    Homework Assignments

    These will be issued weekly during the lecture and it will be expected that they will be completed by the following week when we will go through them and then be handed up. If you are absent and do not  receive the assignment on any given Monday it will be posted online so that you are able to catch up for the following week. In weeks with a public holiday everyone will be expected to download the  assignment and we will go through both week 1 and week 2 is a class is missed due to a public holiday. If you are absent on the week that you hand up your assignment you can review the solutions online for your own learning but your assignment will not be included in your final grade.

    Mid-Semester Tests

    These will be held at 2 different times during the semester to give you a chance to review material and boost your grade so that it does not rely entirely on the final exam. They will also give you an  opportunity to practice performing under test conditions to prepare you for exams. The material will come for the lecture material and homework assignments so if you have been attending lectures and tutorials and completing the assignments you should have no difficulty completing these assessments.

    Mathematical Group Project

    This will be completed in the study/work groups established in week one. It will be bridged over the  mid-semester break to give you extra time to work on it outside of class time. Further details will come  later.

    Submission
    Homework Assignments will be reviewed and submitted in class the following week. There may be one or 2 online assessments which will be submitted immediately after completion electronically via MyUni. Tests will be completed during tutorial sessions and handed up at the conclusion of the session. The Group Project will be submitted electronically via MyUni.

    Students may be granted extensions to assignments on medical or compassionate grounds;  documentation to support these ground will be required. Requests for extension must be made before the due date; requests for extension submitted after the due date will not be considered. All extension requests must be submitted to the Course Coordinator (Chad Habel: chad.habel@adelaide.edu.au);
    any extensions granted by the lecturer or tutor will not be considered valid.

    All extension requests will be administered according to the Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/3303/

    For a concise information sheet on this policy, please visit http://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/exams/pdfs/maca_medical_compassionate_info.pdf
     

    Penalties for Late Submission

    Unless the Course Profile states otherwise when an assessment is submitted after the due date, and without an extension, 5% of the total mark possible will be deducted for every 24 hours or part thereof that it is late, including each day on a weekend. For example, an essay that is submitted after the due date and time but within the first 24 hour period, and that has been graded at 63%, will have 5% deducted, for a final grade of 58%. An essay that is more than 24 hours late will lose 10%, etc. Hard copy submissions made after 5.00pm on a Friday will be assumed to have been submitted on the next business day and will be penalised 5% per day for every day including weekend days and public holidays.  This penalty may be increased where the assignment is to be completed in
    a period of less than a week.

    This course aims to return assessed work within 2 weeks of its submission, although this cannot be guaranteed. The resubmission of assignments is not possible for this course, except in exceptional
    circumstances as approved by the Course Coordinator.


     


    Course Grading

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

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    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.