This course presents the basic elements of scientific computing, in particular the methods for solving or approximating the solution of calculus and linear algebra problems associated with real world problems. Using a non-trivial model problem such as the heat equation, and sophisticated scientific computing and visualisation environments, students are introduced to the basic computational concepts of stability, accuracy and efficiency, as new numerical methods and techniques are introduced to solve progressively more challenging problems.

Honours Pathway Option (HPO):

To do this option, students must have completed MATH2405 or STAT2001 or a mark of 60% or more in MATH2305 or MATH1116. The HPO expands on the theoretical aspects of the underlying algorithms, and uses alternative assessment to assess these theoretical aspects.

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. Use high-level programming language such as Python with proficiency and confidence
2. Use appropriate tools to verify the output and reliability of code/data
3. Use computing and visualisation software appropriately in scientific or engineering problems

Examination Material or equipment

Please check the ANU final Examination Timetable http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examination-timetable to confirm the permitted materials for the final exam. The final exam will be available for students studying remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recommended Resources

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback through written comments for assessments, and verbal feedback to the whole class, groups or individuals from the lecturer and/or demonstrators, as appropriate.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Course delivery and assessment in 2021 will be adjusted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This course is available for in-person (subject to ongoing restrictions) or remote learning. Recordings of all lectures will be available through Wattle, and all workshops and assessment (including the final exam) can be completed online.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Course introduction. Solving nonlinear equations (rootfinding).
2	Solving nonlinear equations, function approximation by interpolation and splines
3	Function approximation by interpolation and splines. Weekly computer laboratory classes begin.	Lab book 0 due (hurdle requirement but not graded)
4	Approximating derivatives. Computer representation of numbers and rounding errors.	Assignment 1 due
5	Computer representation of numbers and rounding errors. Approximating integrals.	Lab book 1 due
6	Approximating integrals. Norms, conditioning and stability.	Assignment 2 due
7	Direct solvers for linear systems. Iterative solvers for linear systems.	Lab book 2 due
8	Iterative solvers for linear systems.	Assignment 3 due
9	Iterative solvers for linear systems. Signal processing and Fast Fourier Transform.	Lab book 3 due
10	Signal processing and Fast Fourier Transform. Solving ordinary differential equations.	Assignment 4 due
11	Solving ordinary differential equations.	Lab book 4 due
12	Solving ordinary and partial differential equations.	Assignment 5 due. Lab book 5 due at start of following week.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Computer lab books	30 %	*	*	1,2,3
Written assignments	30 %	*	*	1,2,3
End of semester exam	40 %	03/06/2021	01/07/2021	1,2,3

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Course delivery and assessment in 2021 will be adjusted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This course is available for in-person (subject to ongoing restrictions) or remote learning. Recordings of all lectures will be available through Wattle, and all workshops and assessment (including the final exam) can be completed online.

Examination(s)

The date range in the Assessment Summary indicates the start of the end of semester exam period and the date official end of semester results are released on ISIS. Please check the ANU final Examination Timetable http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examination-timetable to confirm the date, time and location exam.

Assessment Task 1

Computer lab books

Lab books evaluate the skills in the computer implementation and practical applications of the methods and techniques from the course. There will be 6 lab books, due fortnightly. The first lab book must be completed as a hurdle requirement, but does not contribute to the overall course grade. The remaining 5 lab books are each worth 6% of the overall course grade (for a total of 30%). Students are encouraged to work in groups, but each student must submit their own lab book. Further details will be given on Wattle.

Assessment Task 2

Written assignments

Assignments provide feedback on the current level of understanding of the fundamental concepts and algorithms covered in the course. There are 5 written assignments, due fortnightly. They are each worth 6% of the overall grade (for a total of 30%). Students are encouraged to work in groups, but each student must submit their own written assignment. Further details will be given on Wattle.

Students completing the Honours Pathway Option will complete alternative assignments (5 in total, due fortnightly and worth 6% each) which will assess the course material at a more theoretical level.

Assessment Task 3

End of semester exam

Students completing the Honours Pathway Option will complete an alternative exam which will assess the course material at a more theoretical level.

The date range in the Assessment Summary indicates the start of the end of semester exam period and the date official end of semester results are released on ISIS. Please check the ANU final Examination Timetable http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examination-timetable to confirm the date, time and location of the exam. The final exam will be available for students studying remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Students must score at least 40% on the final exam to pass the course (hurdle requirement).

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Assignments and Lab books will be returned via Wattle

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students