A Foundation in Pure Mathematics

Course Coordinator: Dr Andrew Wu, BEng (Hons) UNSW, MSc (EEE) HKU, PhD HKU, MIEEE, MIET

This course is compulsory for a large number of Science and Technology programmes and an optional course or a free-choice credits to be taken by students of other programmes.

You should preferably have a general knowledge of secondary school mathematics or its equivalent before studying this course.

MATH S121 is presented in September every year.

Aims
This course aims to:

• Develop your analytical skills to help you become an independent learner;
• Help you appreciate the discipline of mathematics;
• Provide you with a transition between school and university mathematics and the associated learning environments;
• Develop your skills in handling mathematical activities;
• Develop your understanding of the rigour of mathematics for pursuing middle and higher-level courses in mathematics, computing, and engineering.

Contents
The course covers the following topics:

• Foundations — sets, logic, relations, functions
• Proofs and combinatorics — proofs, counting, probability, binomial expansions
• Recursion and iteration — homogeneous and non-homogeneous recurrence relations with constant coefficients, iteration
• Algebraic structures — matrices and complex numbers

Learning support
There are regular two-hour tutorials and surgery sessions held on weekday evenings or weekends thoughout the course.

Assessment
There will be four assignments, two assignments (multiple choice) and a final examination. Students are required to submit assignments via the Online Learning Environment (OLE).

Online requirement
Students will need to have access to the Internet.

Use of the Online Learning Environment (OLE) is compulsory for the submission of the assignments (multiple choice) as well as participation in a number of online support services. You will also have the option to submit your assignments through the OLE, and communicate electronically with your tutor and the Course Coordinator, as well as other students.

Equipment
Students will need access to a computer system suitable for connecting to the Internet. The recommended minimum computing requirements are:

• Windows 7 or later version
• 120 MB free hard disk space

The course materials also include a number of video and audio available on OLE.

Set book(s)
There are no set books for this course.

Students with disabilities or special educational needs
The audio components of this course may present problems for students with impaired hearing. However, you should still be able to follow the course. You should seek advice from the Course Coordinator before enrolling on the course.