MATH120 Mathematics for Scientists

Overview

The development of understanding, formulation and application of a variety of approaches to quantitative problem solving in scientific disciplines.

The modern world is built on science and technology. As such, the increasingly competitive job market requires new graduates to have confidence and fluency in quantitative problem solving. MATH 120 uses a problem-based learning approach to develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills by consistently working through applied examples from a range of scientific disciplines, while learning new techniques and tools. Students will be encouraged to try different approaches, critically analyse their findings and communicate them orally and/or as written reports. As a result, MATH 120 students will be ideally equipped to specialise in any discipline that includes a quantitative component.

About this paper

Restriction

MATH 101, MATH 102, MATH 160 and MATH 170

Schedule C

Arts and Music, Science

Eligibility

Suitable for any undergraduates and professionals with an interest in gaining more confidence and fluency with quantitative approaches to problem solving in the natural, social and medical sciences.

Contact

For more information, contact the MATH and COMO 100 Level Advisor Robert Van Gorder or email math120@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

To be confirmed

Paper Structure

The paper is structured around 5 modules:

1. Measuring the natural world
2. Empirical analysis
3. Modelling change over time
4. Higher-dimensional models

Teaching Arrangements

The Distance Learning offering of this paper is taught remotely. MATH 120 is offered via Distance Learning as part of Summer School. It is taught over six weeks with all material available asynchronously.

There are two 2-hour videoconference laboratories per week.

For Semester 1, MATH 120 is a standard on-campus 13-week semester paper, with three 1-hour lectures and one 2-hour laboratory per week. 

Students will work in groups of four on a semester-long themed project co-created with academics in other departments across the sciences.

 

Textbooks

Textbooks are not required for this paper.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Interdisciplinary perspective, critical thinking, scholarship, research, information literacy, communication.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the paper will:

• Understand the role of and how to formulate a scientific problem using quantitative approaches
• Identify and evaluate relevant quantitative approaches for physical, geo-, biological, biomedical, business and social sciences
• Evaluate, visualize and synthesize data for quantitative problem solving
• Identify and apply appropriate models to describe scientific problems
• Use a range of mathematical and computational techniques to solve problems

Assessment details

MATH 120 has short online assessments every week and four hand-in laboratory activities. The project is assessed through two short reports and a group presentation.

Overview

The development of understanding, formulation and application of a variety of approaches to quantitative problem solving in scientific disciplines.

The modern world is built on science and technology. As such, the increasingly competitive job market requires new graduates to have confidence and fluency in quantitative problem-solving. MATH 120 uses a problem-based learning approach to develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills by consistently working through applied examples from a range of scientific disciplines, while learning new techniques and tools. Students will be encouraged to try different approaches, critically analyse their findings and communicate them orally and/or as written reports. As a result, MATH 120 students will be ideally equipped to specialise in any discipline that includes a quantitative component.

About this paper

Restriction

MATH 101, MATH 102, MATH 160 and MATH 170

Schedule C

Arts and Music, Science

Eligibility

Suitable for any undergraduates and professionals with an interest in gaining more context and fluency with quantitative approaches to problem solving in the natural, social and medical sciences.

Contact

For more information, contact the MATH and COMO 100-Level Advisor Robert Van Gorder or math120@otago.ac.nz.

Teaching staff

To be confirmed.

Paper Structure

The paper is structured around four modules:

1. Measuring the natural world
2. Empirical analysis
3. Modelling change over time
4. Higher-dimensional models

Teaching Arrangements

The Distance Learning offering of this paper is taught remotely. MATH 120 is offered via Distance Learning as part of Summer School. It is taught over six weeks with all material available asynchronously.

There are two 2-hour drop-in videoconference laboratories per week.

For Semester 1, MATH 120 is a standard on-campus 13-week semester paper, with three 1-hour lectures and one 2-hour laboratory per week.

Students will work in groups on small projects co-created with academics in other departments across the sciences.

Textbooks

Textbooks are not required for this paper.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Information literacy, Research.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the paper will:

• Understand the role of quantitative approaches and how to use them to formulate a scientific problem
• Identify and evaluate relevant quantitative approaches for physical, geo-, biological, biomedical, business and social sciences
• Evaluate, visualise and synthesise data for quantitative problem solving
• Identify and apply appropriate models to describe scientific problems
• Use a range of mathematical and computational techniques to solve problems

Assessment details

MATH 120 has short online assessments every week and four hand-in laboratory activities. The project is assessed through two short reports and a group presentation.