THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2017/2018

University Homepage
DRPS Homepage
DRPS Search
DRPS Contact
DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Mathematics : Mathematics

Undergraduate Course: Mathematics for the Natural Sciences 1a (MATH08072)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Mathematics CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 8 (Year 1 Undergraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThe course is a first university level course for students of Chemistry and related disciplines. It provides key basic mathematical skills and leads naturally to calculus in MATH08073 Mathematics for the Natural Sciences 1b.
This course is restricted to students who are also taking CHEM08016 Chemistry 1a or by agreement of the Course Organiser.
Course description This course will cover topics in a first university course in Mathematics but not including calculus and includes the following syllabus:

Numbers , errors and data. Statistical data and probability.
Functions: the circular, hyperbolic and logarithmic functions and their inverses. Implicit functions, piecewise functions.
Random variables, discrete and continuous probability distributions; the central limit theorem.
Complex numbers: Cartesian, polar form and de Moivre's theorem.
Basic vector algebra; scalar product, vector product, triple product and geometry.
Matrices, inverses and determinants, linear equations and elimination.
Rank, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, symmetric matrices.

The course will consist of 3 lectures, 1 tutorial hour and 1 workshop, each week. The workshop will be delivered by the School of Chemistry to showcase applications of the Mathematical topics covered.

Basic Mathematical skills will be developed using on-line quizzes and end of week e-assessments. Mathematical writing skills will be tested in three written assignments. Further more applied problems will be assessed in two Chemistry related assessments.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Students MUST NOT also be taking Engineering Mathematics 1a (MATH08074) OR Mathematics for Science and Engineering 1a (MATH08060) OR Introduction to Linear Algebra (MATH08057)
Other requirements A in SQA Higher Mathematics or equivalent
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2017/18, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  145
Course Start Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 33, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 11, Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 5, Summative Assessment Hours 3, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 144 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 80 %, Coursework 20 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) On-line assessments: 5%, Written Mathematics Assignments: 5%, Written Chemistry based Mathematics assignments: 10%
Examination: 80%
Feedback There will be five opportunities for feedback on written skills. Each lecture is accompanied by an on-line quiz which will provide instant feedback on basic skills.
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S1 (December)Mathematics for the Natural Sciences 1a (MATH08072) 3:00
Resit Exam Diet (August)Mathematics for the Natural Sciences 1a (MATH08072) 3:00
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Students will have fluency in algebraic and numerical manipulations up to and including the Binomial Theorem as well as manipulating expressions involving polynomial, trigonometric and hyperbolic trigonometric functions.
  2. Students will have skills in manipulating vectors and matrices up to and including eignevectors.
  3. Students will be fluent in manipulating complex numbers.
  4. Students will be able to find the appropriate tools to use to solve problems involving one or more areas of the syllabus.
  5. Students will have an understanding of statistical data, computing probabilities and using common probability distributions.
Reading List
Students will require a copy of the course textbook. This is currently "Mathematics for Science and Engineering 1" by Glyn James. This special edition is available only from Blackwell's bookshop at South Bridge, Edinburgh. Students are advised not to commit to a purchase until this is confirmed by the Course Team and advice on Editions, etc is given.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Students will have key skills in basic algebra, functions, probability, statistics, vectors, matrices and complex numbers.
KeywordsMNS1a,algebra,polynomials,functions,complex numbers,vectors,matrices.
Contacts
Course organiserDr Antony Maciocia
Tel: (0131 6)50 5994
Email: A.Maciocia@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Corinna Bremer
Tel: (0131 6)50 5059
Email: Corinna.Bremer@ed.ac.uk
Navigation
Help & Information
Home
Introduction
Glossary
Search DPTs and Courses
Regulations
Regulations
Degree Programmes
Introduction
Browse DPTs
Courses
Introduction
Humanities and Social Science
Science and Engineering
Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Other Information
Combined Course Timetable
Prospectuses
Important Information