• Offered by Mathematical Sciences Institute
  • ANU College ANU Joint Colleges of Science
  • Course subject Mathematics
  • Areas of interest Mathematics
  • Academic career UGRD
  • Course convener
    • Dr David Smyth
  • Mode of delivery In Person
  • Co-taught Course
  • Offered in First Semester 2017
    See Future Offerings

This course focuses on the language of mathematical arguments.  Rather than attacking advanced topics, we will use simple mathematics to develop an understanding of how results are established. We begin with clearly stated and plausible assumptions or axioms and then develop a more and more complex theory from them. The course, and the lecturer, will have succeeded if you finish the course able to construct valid arguments of your own and to criticise those that are presented to you.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
1. Understand the role of rigorous proof in mathematics.
2. Be able to construct written arguments using  induction, proof by contradiction, counting arguments, and countability.
3. Develop problem-solving skills in elementary number theory, graph theory, and probability theory.

Other Information

Students with excellent results in either the ACT Specialist Mathematics double major, NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 2 or equivalent may take this course in first year.

Students enrolled in MATH1115 may be eligible to take MATH2222 and should contact the course convenor of MATH2222 for a permission code.

Indicative Assessment

Weekly problem sets (40%, LO 1,2,3)
Mid-semester and final exams (25% and 35%, respectively, LO 1,2,3)

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Workload

Three lectures per week and regular tutorials.

Requisite and Incompatibility

Students may enrol in this course if they have completed MATH1116 or MATH1113 with a mark of at least 60 or MATH1013 or MATH1014 with a mark of at least 80. Students may not take this course if they have already completed MATH2322, MATH3104, MATH2320, MATH3116 or MATH6222. Students with excellent results in either the ACT Specialist Mathematics double major, NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 2 or equivalent may take this course in first year.

Prescribed Texts

Number, Symmetry and Shape by Diane Herrmann and Paul J. Sally Jr.
Introduction to Mathematical Thinking: Problem-Solving and Proof by John D'Angelo and Douglas West

Preliminary Reading

Godel, Escher, Bach by Douglas Hofstadter
Proofs and Refutations: The Logic of Mathematical Discovery by Imre Lakatos

Fees

Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.  

If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.

Student Contribution Band:
2
Unit value:
6 units

If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.  Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.

Units EFTSL
6.00 0.12500
Domestic fee paying students
Year Fee
2017 $3444
International fee paying students
Year Fee
2017 $4590
Note: Please note that fee information is for current year only.

Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

The list of offerings for future years is indicative only.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.

First Semester

Class number Class start date Last day to enrol Census date Class end date Mode Of Delivery Class Summary
4036 20 Feb 2017 27 Feb 2017 31 Mar 2017 26 May 2017 In Person N/A

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