Mathematical Programming & Skills - MAT00015C

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  • Department: Mathematics
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24

Module summary

This module develops the programming and communication skills that are essential to the professional life of mathematics graduates. Students will develop a suite of programming skills, alongside communications skills including group work, mathematical communication, mathematical report writing, and presentation. Professional skills, such as research methods and project planning, will also be addressed. These diverse skills will be synthesised in employability training, developing students’ ability to communicate their skillset effectively with employers.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

This module develops the programming and communication skills that are essential to the professional life of mathematics graduates. Students will develop a suite of programming skills, alongside communications skills including group work, mathematical communication, mathematical report writing, and presentation. Professional skills, such as research methods and project planning, will also be addressed. These diverse skills will be synthesised in employability training, developing students’ ability to communicate their skillset effectively with employers.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module students will be expected to be able to:

  1. Implement computer programs using imperative and procedural techniques (including: variables, expressions and assignments; loops and conditional structures; functions; arrays; mathematical operations; packages)

  2. Use object-oriented programming techniques (including: objects; dynamic methods; inheritance; classes; usage of these for mathematical applications)

  3. Search and synthesise contemporary scientific literature, and clearly present the results of this search in mathematical typesetting software (LaTeX)

  4. Work in groups to produce an integrated report of a professional standard

  5. Reflect on the skills above and articulate them effectively for professional applications

Module content

Programming:

  • Fundamentals of Python

    • Variables, expressions and assignments;

    • Loops and conditional structures;

    • Functions;

    • Data structures;

    • Python packages;

    • Usage of these for mathematical operations

  • Object-oriented programming:

    • Objects; dynamic methods;

    • Inheritance;

    • Classes

    • usage of these for mathematical applications

Communication:

  • Communicating clearly in mathematics

  • Academic Writing and Referencing

  • Mathematical Typesetting

  • Group work and organisation

  • Presentations (oral)

  • Communicating with employers (CV and Cover letter writing, and personal reflection)

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 15
Essay/coursework 50
Groupwork 25
Oral presentation/seminar/exam 10

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

If a student has a failing module mark, only failed components need be reassessed.

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 15
Essay/coursework 50
Groupwork 25
Oral presentation/seminar/exam 10

Module feedback

Current Department policy on feedback is available in the student handbook. Coursework and examinations will be marked and returned in accordance with this policy.

Indicative reading

TBC