Course syllabus for Applied mathematical thinking

Course syllabus adopted 2021-02-26 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameTillämpat matematiskt tänkande
  • CodeDAT435
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerTKGBS
  • Education cycleFirst-cycle
  • Main field of studyMathematics
  • DepartmentCOMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language Swedish
  • Application code 74115
  • Open for exchange studentsNo

Credit distribution

0120 Written and oral assignments 7.5 c
Grading: TH
0 c7.5 c0 c0 c0 c0 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for bachelor's level (first cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

The same as for the programme that owns the course.
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Aim

The course is mainly intended to strengthen the students’ mathematical thinking, and their ability to apply such thinking in applications, and in their continued studies. The focus is not on mathematical knowledge in the traditional sense, but on the often implied abilities needed to effectively be able to apply the mathematics you already know, and efficiently be able to learn new mathematics.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)


Knowledge and Understanding

-Explain different aspects of mathematical thinking: mathematical reasoning,
problem solving, modelling.
-Explain how mathematical thinking can be applied in different areas.
-Explain common mathematical knowledge and how it can be used (including
functions, equations, derivatives and integrals, probabilities, sets, graphs).

Comptetence and skills

-Show a basic ability to use mathematical concepts such as definitions, theorems, as well as different kinds of mathematical reasoning and proofs (mathematical reasoning).
-Show a basic ability to solve complex and unknown problems with a structured and investigative approach (mathematical problem solving).
-Show a basic ability to investigate real problems, determine if they can be seen from a mathematical perspective and translate to mathematical problems, and adapt mathematical conclusions to the real problem (mathematical modelling).
-Communicate about and with the help of mathematics.
-Use different computational tools as a natural part of thinking and working
mathematically.

Judgement and appoach

-Identify how own thinking can be used to solve a problem, and to what extent
previous knowledge can be used.
-Show a reflective attitude to the course contents and to their own thinking.
-Show care for precision and quality in all work.


Content


The most important parts of the course are mathematical reasoning, problem solving and modelling. Important aspects such as using the computer as a part of your mathematical thinking, and to be able to communicate with and about mathematics are also integrated in the course. The course therefore includes occasional running and understanding of simple given computer programs.

By developing the ability to think mathematically, the course complements other more traditional courses in mathematics, and by providing the student with experience of different areas of application, the gap between mathematical theory and relevant applications is bridged.

The core of the course is a number of carefully selected problems, used as starting points for the student’s own learning, where student by working in an investigative way develop their own abilities. We also have lectures which provide a broader understanding, follow-up and perspective. The problems illustrate many different areas of application, and their level of difficulty is adapted to efficiently practice the abilities to think and work mathematically in different situations.

In connection with the exercises, we also discuss different problem solving strategies, reflect on solutions, and compare different ways to solve the same problem. We also give an orientation about the role of mathematics in various applications and demonstrate the importance of mathematical computer models.

Organisation

The course is mainly organized in modules. For every module there is an introductory lecture and a compulsory follow-up lecture providing feedback on the problems of the module.

The learning is supported by an interactive way of teaching with a lot of contact
between students and teachers. This occurs during supervision hours where students work with the problems and regularly discuss with the supervisors. They will then receive individual feedback and guidance in their own problem solving, and develop their independent abilities.

Literature

The course does not have any specific course literature beyond what is provided in the modules.

Examination including compulsory elements

The course is examined through written assignments and with a final report, where the students are encouraged to summarize and reflect over the course in a personal way. The assignments and the final report are normally written in groups of two persons. In addition, each group reads reports from other groups, and discusses them in a final seminar. To pass the course, attendance of selected lectures and the final seminar is also required.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.