MATHS 7104 - Numerical Methods

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2025

To explore complex systems, physicists, engineers, financiers and mathematicians require computational methods since mathematical models are only rarely solvable algebraically. Numerical methods, based upon sound computational mathematics, are the basic algorithms underpinning computer predictions in modern systems science. Such methods include techniques for simple optimisation, interpolation from the known to the unknown, linear algebra underlying systems of equations, ordinary differential equations to simulate systems, and stochastic simulation under random influences. Topics covered are: the mathematical and computational foundations of the numerical approximation and solution of scientific problems; simple optimisation; vectorisation; clustering; polynomial and spline interpolation; pattern recognition; integration and differentiation; solution of large scale systems of linear and nonlinear equations; modelling and solution with sparse equations; explicit schemes to solve ordinary differential equations; random numbers; stochastic system simulation.

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Course Details

Course Code	MATHS 7104
Course	Numerical Methods
Coordinating Unit	Mathematical Sciences
Term	Semester 2
Level	Postgraduate Coursework
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 3.5 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Assumed Knowledge	MATHS 2102 or MATHS 2201 or MATHS 2106 and (COMP SCI 1012 or COMP SCI 1101 or COMP SCI 1102 or COMP SCI 1201, or ENG 1002 or ENG 1003 or MECH ENG 1100, MECH ENG 1102, MECH ENG 1103, MECH ENG 1104, MECH ENG 1105 or C&ENVENG 1012)
Assessment	Ongoing assessment, examination

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Trent Mattner

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

Course Learning Outcomes

1	Demonstrate understanding of common numerical methods and how they are used to obtain approximate solutions to otherwise intractable mathematical problems.
2	Apply numerical methods to obtain approximate solutions to mathematical problems.
3	Derive numerical methods for various mathematical operations and tasks, such as interpolation, differentiation, integration, the solution of linear and nonlinear equations, and the solution of differential equations.
4	Analyse and evaluate the accuracy of common numerical methods.
5	Implement numerical methods in Matlab.
6	Write efficient, well-documented Matlab code and present numerical results in an informative way.

最新糖心Vlog Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1-6
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	1-6

Learning & Teaching Modes

This course uses a variety of methods for delivery of the course material.

Course material is delivered via a weekly seminar, instructional videos and online quizzes.

There will be six workshops. In these classes, you will complete work on problems that aim to enhance your understanding of the course material and ability to solve theoretical problems. You are encouraged to attempt the problems before the workshop and to complete all the remaining problems afterwards.

There will be six practical classes. Practical work will involve using Matlab to implement numerical algorithms developed in course videos. Practical work must be submitted to show that you have completed the session.

Assignments are set fortnightly. In the assignments, you are usually asked to write a Matlab program to solve a mathematical problem and present your results in a written report. Questions about theoretical aspects of the problem may also be asked.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

Activity	Quantity	Workload hours
Lectures/Online learning	24 (equivalent)	72
Tutorials	6	20
Assignments	5	40
Practicals	6	24
TOTALS		156

Learning Activities Summary

Schedule
Week 1	Matlab revision, vectorisation.
Week 2	Polynomial interpolation.	Practical 1: Matlab and vectorisation.
Week 3	Numerical differentiation and integration.	Tutorial 1: Polynomial interpolation.
Week 4	Linear and cubic splines in one dimension.	Practical 2: Numerical integration and differentiation.
Week 5	Radial basis function splines in multiple dimensions.	Tutorial 2: Numerical integration and differentation.
Week 6	LU and QR factorisation and applications.	Practical 3: Splines.
Week 7	Norms and condition numbers. Jacobi method.	Tutorial 3: LU and QR factorisation.
Week 8	Fixed point iteration, Newton's method.	Practical 4: Numerical linear algebra.
Week 9	Euler's method, Improved Euler method, Initial-value problems.	Tutorial 4: Jacobi method, fixed point iteration and Newton's method.
Week 10	Runge Kutta methods, time-step limitations, Matlab ODE solvers.	Practical 5: Newton's method and ordinary differential equations.
Week 11	Boundary-value problems. Partial differential equations. Monte Carlo methods.	Tutorial 5: Ordinary differential equations.
Week 12	Monte Carlo methods. Review	Practical 6: Partial differential equations and Monte Carlo integration

The 最新糖心Vlog's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Component	Weighting	Objective Assessed
Exam	50%	All
Assignments (5)	30%	All
Practical work	5%	All
Online quizzes	5%	All
Test	10%	All

Assessment Related Requirements

In order to pass the course, you must obtain:

an aggregate mark of at least 50%, AND
at least 40% on the exam.

Assessment Detail

Assessment Item	Distributed	Due Date	Weighting
Assignment 1	Week 2	Week4	6%
Assignment 2	Week 4	Week 6	6%
Assignment 3	Week 6	Week 8	6%
Assignment 4	Week 8	Week 10	6%
Assignment 5	Week 10	Week 12	6%

Submission

Submission of work will be via MyUni. Instructions for the submission of each item required will be posted in advance of the deadline.

Late assignments will not be accepted.

Students may be excused from an assignment for medical or compassionate reasons. Documentation is required and the lecturer must be notified as soon as possible.

We aim to have a two week turn-around time for providing feedback on assignment work to students.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through .

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SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the 最新糖心Vlog to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
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Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

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Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator

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