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.
| Paper title | Mathematics for Scientists |
|---|---|
| Paper code | MATH120 |
| Subject | Mathematics |
| EFTS | 0.1500 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period(s) | Summer School
(Distance learning)
Semester 1 (On campus) Semester 2 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $955.05 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- 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
- Teaching staff
To be confirmed
- Paper Structure
The paper is structured around 5 modules:
- Measuring the natural world
- Emperical analysis
- Modelling change in time
- Computing with mthematical models
- 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 and Semester 2, MATH 120 is a standard on-campus 13-week semester paper, with three 1-hour lectures and one 2-hour laboratory per week. General drop-in sessions are also available weekly to help students with basic needs.
Students will work in groups of four on a semester-long themed project co-created with academics in other departments across the sciences.
The paper is 100% internally assessed with four types of assessments:
- Five online assignments (40%)
- Five laboratory-based assessments (30%)
- Final individual project report (25%)
- Oral presentation (5%)
- Textbooks
Textbooks are not required for this paper.
- Course outline
- 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
