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MAT-20031 - Module Specification
School of Computing and Mathematics
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2022/23 Last Updated: 19 January 2023

MAT-20031 - Computational Mathematics
Coordinator: Paul Ledger Tel: +44 1782 7 33251
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733075

Programme/Approved Electives for 2022/23

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2022/23

Scientific computing is one of the cornerstones of modern applied mathematics. By arming students with a high-level general purpose programming language ¿Python¿, they will be well equipped to explore a plethora of mathematical problems otherwise inaccessible to them. Moreover, students will possess a valuable, transferable skill, necessary in a large number of industries, for example, data science, engineering, meteorology and finance.
This module also will embed the use of technology to aid undergraduate mathematical studies.

Aims
¿The main aim of this module is to introduce students to the three elements of scientific computing; numerical analysis, programming and modelling.
In particular, the programming element aims to provide the students with a valuable transferrable skill in the Python programming language. We also aim to give the students a broad appreciation of the different computational tools at their disposal, and an introduction to numerical analysis.

Intended Learning Outcomes

choose and apply appropriate computational tools to help to solve and analyse a variety of problems: 1,2,3
create appropriate graphics (including interactive or animated) to illustrate a particular problem and/or solution: 1,2,3
write well commented and structured Python code with appropriate use of modules/libraries: 1,2,3
apply iterative methods to analyse and solve algebraic equations: 1,3
1,2,3
demonstrate the importance of the precision and bounds of floating point numbers: perform numerical integration, differentiation and interpolation, showing knowledge of numerical convergence: 2,3

Study hours

48 hours of lab sessions
102 hours private study, including watching video lectures and preparation of coursework/project

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Exercise weighted 20%
Programming exercises
A set of programming exercises provided in a notebook template. All answers to be accompanied by appropriate commentary. Students complete the exercises outside of class in open-book conditions and collaboration is forbidden. In total students can expect to spend 1-2 hours completing the exercises.

2: Exercise weighted 20%
Numerical analysis exercises
A set of programming exercises provided in a notebook template. All answers to be accompanied by appropriate commentary. Students complete the exercises outside of class in open-book conditions and collaboration is forbidden. In total students can expect to spend 1-2 hours completing the exercises.

3: Project weighted 60%
Individual study project
Individual project expanding on material covered during the semester. The project will require students to create a program to investigate a chosen mathematical concept. Students must include a description of the code, how to execute it and a report of the findings. This must include details of the mathematical theory involved. The length of the project, when exported to pdf, will not exceed 8 pages, including code, figures and tables, but not including appendices. Formatting guidelines will be provided.

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 19 January 2023