620-163 Introductory Applied Mathematics

• Students who have passed [00]620-111, 620-113, 620-120 (MUPHAS Mathematics), 620-121, 620-123 or 620-143 may not subsequently enrol in this subject for credit.

• Students may only gain credit for one of 620-151, 620-161, 620-163.

The assumed background for this subject is VCE Specialist Mathematics 3/4 or a very good result in VCE Mathematical Methods 3/4. It is recommended that students with a study score of less than 30 in VCE Specialist Mathematics 3/4 take 620-163 before proceeding to 620-143.

620-141

This subject lays the foundations for subsequent studies in applied mathematics and differential equations. Students completing this subject will develop skills in discrete and continuous modelling and appreciate the possibilities for applications in physical sciences, statistics and other areas.

Topics covered: Differentiation: Review and extension of standard methods including implicit differentiation, derivatives of inverse functions and applications. Integration: Standard methods including integration by parts, applications to areas, volumes, lengths of curves, moments and centre of mass of laminas and continuous statistical distributions. Simple Differential Equations: single population models, springs and oscillatory processes, numerical solution of differential equations. Difference Equations: Standard methods for linear equations; discrete population models; stochastic modelling problems.

You will develop analytical skills including the ability to construct and express logical arguments and to work in abstract or general terms to increase the clarity and efficiency of analysis. You will also develop approaches to specific problem solving and the use of software tools where appropriate for problem solving.

Up to 24 pages of written assignments, class tests totalling not more than 1.5 hours and a 3-hour end-of-semester written examination.