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MC130 Mathematical Modelling


MC130 Mathematical Modelling

Credits: 10 Convenor: Dr. J. Levesley Semester: 1 (weeks 7-12)


Prerequisites:
Assessment: Continual assessment: 100% One and a half hour exam: 80%

Lectures: 18 Classes: none
Tutorials: none Private Study: 51
Labs: none Seminars: 6
Project: none Other: none
Total: 75

Explanation of Pre-requisites

The mathematical prerequisites for this course are minimal. This course is about using the mathematics that you know accurately and appropriately.

Course Description

Modelling is about applying simple mathematics to real situations. You will make assumptions in order to simplify problems, and then create a mathematical description of this simplified situation. You will then use mathematical manipulations to provide you with information about the situation. It is then very important to compare your answer to the real world to see if it makes sense. Much emphasis in this module will be placed on critically examining solutions to problems, and deciding how much we can trust them. It is clear thinking that will help you to succeed.

Aims

The main aims of this module are for students to

Objectives

By the end of the course diligent students will

Transferable Skills

The abilities

Syllabus

This module is designed to build your confidence and competence in modelling. Therefore, you will do a number of modelling problems. The situations you will model are relatively unimportant, but they will include problems involving random processes. These will be modelled using simulation. You will learn other skills, such as data fitting, poster presentation, written presentation, and working in groups.

Reading list

Recommended:

D. Edwards and M. Hamson, Guide to Mathematical Modelling, MacMillan, 1989.

D. Edwards and M. Hamson, Mathematical Modelling Skills, MacMillan, 1996.

J. Berry and K. Houston, Mathematical Modelling, Edward Arnold, 1995.

Details of Assessment

100% - Continual assessment

There are five components to the assessment:

1.
5% - attendance
2.
20% - evaluating models test
3.
10% - data fitting test
4.
40% - individual modelling report
5.
25% - group poster presentation including verbal report
You will be given opportunity to practise presentation technique during the course. More information on these assessment activities will be given during the classes.


next up previous
Next: MC144 Proof and Logical Up: Year 1 Previous: MC127 Vectors and ODEs
S. J. Ambler
11/20/1999