BIOL1102 Molecular Basis of Life
Ms KL Burke Da Silva
Year
2009
Units
4.5
Class Contact
3 50-minute lectures weekly
1 50-minute workshop weekly
5 3-hour practicals per semester
1 50-minute supervised study weekly
Enrolment not
permitted
If BIOL1602 has been successfully completed
Assessment
Practical Exercises (incl Pre-lab quizzes on FLO and lab reports), FLO Quizzes,
PASS, Research Project, Mid Term Exam, Mathematics Competency Quiz, Final
Exam
Topic Description
This topic comprises an integrated lecture and practical discussing how plants, animals
and microbes control their internal activities at the biochemical, genetic and
physiological level. Emphasis will be placed on the similarities between the different
groups and on how they can be analysed.
Educational Aims
This topic aims to ensure that students have a basic understanding of the following:
1. The cellular nature of life and the function of intracellular organelles
2. The genetic systems of prokaryotes and eukaryotes
3. The nature of genetic information and how it is replicated, how it is expressed
and how the expression is regulated
4. How a multicellular organisms can develop from a single cell and how cells
communicate in multicellular organisms
5. How the intracellular environment is regulated and metabolic energy derived
and utilised
6. How the needs of organisms are met from their environment
Expected Learning At the completion of the topic, students are expected to be able to:
Outcomes
1. Understand the microscopic structure of cells
2. Describe the needs of organisms and how these are met from their environment
3. Understand the nature and flow of genetic information
4. Predict outcomes of simple Mendelian inheritance
5. Describe how cellular processes are regulated
6. Describe how complex organisms develop from a single cell
BIOL1101 Evolution of Biological Diversity
Ms KL Burke Da Silva
Year
2009
Units
4.5
Class Contact
3 50-minute lectures weekly
1 50-minute workshop weekly
1 3-hour practical fortnightly
1 50-minute supervised study weekly
Enrolment not
permitted
If 1 of BIOD8016, BIOL1601 has been successfully completed
Assessment
Practical Exercises, FLO Quizzes, PASS Attendance, Research Project, Mid Term
Examination, Final Examination
Topic Description
This topic comprises an integrated lecture and practical focussing on the diversity of
animals, plants and microorganisms. Emphasis is placed on biological diversity,
evolution, the relationship between structure and function in selected groups of
organisms, how organisms are adapted to their environment and how organisms
interact with one another. This topic is designed for all biology students.
Educational Aims
This topic aims to provide a basic understanding of:
1.
2.
3.
4.
The evolution of life on Earth
The classification of living organisms
Nutrition and reproduction
How organisms adapt to changes in their environment within their own
lifetimes
5. How organisms adapt to changes in their environment over many generations
6. How organisms interact with one another
Expected Learning At the completion of the topic, students are expected to be able to:
Outcomes
1. Have a basic understanding of areas covered by the topic description
2. Use basic laboratory skills including technical skills, the ability to design and
interpret the results of experiments, the ability to maintain a laboratory
notebook and to write a scientific report
3. Use basic skills to search, retrieve and interpret articles published in scientific
journals
4. Develop generic skills such as the ability to work as part of a team to solve
practical problems
BIOL3761 Foundations in Microbiology
Professor MH Brown
2011
Year
4.5
Units
Class Contact
19 50-minute lectures per semester
18 50-minute tutorials per semester
12 3-hour practicals per semester
Prerequisites
1 1 of BIOL1102, BIOL1602
2 1 of CHEM1101, CHEM1202, CHEM1601
Must Satisfy: (1 and 2)
Enrolment not
permitted
If 1 of BIOL2230, BIOL2232, BIOL2330 has been successfully completed
Topic Description
This topic is designed to give students majoring in Molecular Bioscience knowledge
of the fundamental aspects of the actions of microorgansims as well as laboratory
skills in isolating, handling, enumerating and identifying microorganisms. The aim is
to promote understanding and awareness in these students of the important roles
microorganisms have in major areas such as human health and the environment.
Assessment will be made on the basis of assignments and written examination and
also performance in the laboratory.
Educational Aims
The topic aims to provide students with an increased awareness and understanding of
the fundamental importance of microbiological processes in the world around them.
Students will gain an understanding of the impacts microbial processes have on
diverse areas such as human health, food, drinking water quality, the environment etc.
The topic aims to enhance students' learning of laboratory skills and practices.
The specific aims and objectives of this topic are to:
1. Develop bacteriological techniques, such that students can conduct laboratory
work with bacteria with confidence and safety
2. Examine some of the diversity of form and fundamental biological activity
found amongst bacteria
3. Learn strategies for isolating and enumerating microbes from environmental
samples
4. Learn methods for confirming the identity of specific bacteria
5. Begin to study bacteria which have a direct impact on human welfare
6. Develop techniques for recording observations accurately in a notebook which
is then available as a definitive long-term record of experimental work
7. Develop numerical skills relevant to practical microbiology
Expected Learning At the completion of the topic, students are expected to be able to:
Outcomes
1. Understand key processes in microbiology, including microbial cell biology,
microbial genetics, microbial interactions with and impacts on humans and the
environment
2. Possess the technical skills required to handle microorganisms safely as well as
to work safely in a laboratory
3. Participate in a range of laboratory practices; analytical, critical thinking and
communication (reporting) skills applied to microbiological laboratory
experiments
4. Communicate results of experiments
BIOL2771 Biochemistry
Associate Professor KA Schuller
Year
2011
Units
4.5
Class Contact
2 50-minute lectures weekly
1 50-minute tutorial weekly
1 3-hour practical fortnightly
Prerequisites
1 1 of BIOL1102, BIOL1602
2 1 of CHEM1101, CHEM1201, CHEM1601
Must Satisfy: (1 and 2)
Enrolment not
permitted
If 1 of BIOL2141, BIOL2210 has been successfully completed
Topic Description
In this topic, students will learn the underlying biochemistry of food and energy
metabolism with a focus on carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals and
the regulation of metabolism by hormones such as glucagon, adrenaline and insulin.
Students will gain an overview of the most important enzymes, metabolic pathways
and regulatory mechanisms. Students will apply their knowledge by working in teams
to solve cases and suggest remedies for 'patients' suffering from nutritional
deficiencies or metabolic disorders. Students will discover the relationship between
protein structure and function and develop skills in experimental design and scientific
report writing.
Educational Aims
The overall aim of this topic is to develop students' knowledge and understanding of
food and energy metabolism and to provide them with opportunities to apply their
knowledge and understanding to the solution of 'real-world' problems related to
enzyme function, nutritional deficiencies and metabolic disorders.
Expected Learning At the completion of the topic, students are expected to be able to:
Outcomes
1. Explain clearly in both oral and written form the processes and regulation of
food and energy metabolism covered in this topic
2. Apply their knowledge to the diagnosis and treatment of nutritional
deficiencies and metabolic disorders
3. Work competently in a molecular biology laboratory and produce reliable and
reproducible data
4. Understand the likely artefacts inherent in working with biological materials
and be cognisant of the use of controls to mitigate against artefactual results
5. Maintain a laboratory notebook such that others can reproduce their work
6. Present experimental results in tables and graphs in a format suitable for
publication in a scientific journal
7. Interpret experimental data in the context of current knowledge in the field of
molecular biology
8. Collaborate effectively with colleagues to solve problems
9. Perform routine calculations required for the preparation of laboratory reagents
BIOL2772 Molecular Biology
Associate Professor CA Abbott
Year
2011
Units
4.5
Class Contact
2 50-minute lectures weekly
1 50-minute tutorial weekly
1 3-hour practical fortnightly
Prerequisites
1 1 of BIOL1102, BIOL1602
2 1 of CHEM1201, CHEM1101, CHEM1601
Must Satisfy: (1 and 2)
Enrolment not
permitted
If 1 of BIOL2141, BIOL2220 has been successfully completed
Topic Description
In this topic, students will learn the principles and the regulation of: DNA structure,
replication, damage and repair; gene transcription and translation; and protein
synthesis, structure, folding and function. Students will gain an overview of the
subject matter, will work in teams to apply their knowledge to solve problems in
genetic engineering and will discover the relationship between DNA structure and
function and develop skills in DNA manipulation, experimental design and scientific
report writing.
Educational Aims
The overall aim of this topic is to develop students' knowledge and understanding of
the structure and function of DNA, RNA and proteins and to provide them with
opportunities to apply their knowledge and understanding to the solution of 'realworld' problems related to genetic engineering.
Expected Learning At the completion of the topic, students are expected to be able to:
Outcomes
1. Explain clearly in both oral and written form the processes and regulation of:
DNA structure, replication and repair; gene transcription and translation;
protein structure, synthesis, folding and function
2. Apply their knowledge to the practice of genetic engineering
3. Work competently in a molecular biology laboratory and produce reliable and
reproducible data
4. Understand the likely artefacts inherent in working with biological materials
and be cognisant of the use of controls to mitigate against artefactual results
5. Maintain a laboratory notebook such that others can reproduce their work
6. Present experimental results in tables and graphs in a format suitable for
publication in a scientific journal
7. Interpret experimental data in the context of current knowledge in the field of
molecular biology
8. Collaborate effectively with colleagues to solve problems
9. Perform routine calculations required for the preparation of laboratory reagents
BIOL2702 Genetics, Evolution and Biodiversity
Dr PA Anderson
Year
2011
Units
4.5
Class Contact
24 50-minute lectures per semester
6 50-minute tutorials per semester
5 50-minute workshops per semester
5 3-hour practicals per semester
Prerequisites
1 1 of BIOL1101, BIOL1601
2 1 of BIOL1102, BIOL1602, BIOL1112
Must Satisfy: (1 and 2)
Enrolment not
permitted
If 1 of BIOL2121, BIOL2200, BTEC2630, BTEC2630A has been successfully
completed
Assumed
Knowledge
Skills and knowledge such as can be found in BIOL1101 Evolution of Biological
Diversity and BIOL1102 Molecular Basis of Life.
Topic Description
This topic introduces students to the flow of genetic information from cell to cell and
from parent to offspring, how the forces of selection impact on gene flow and
ultimately how these processes shape the characteristics of species and biodiversity. It
represents core information required by all Biology students at level 2. The practical
component of the topic will introduce students to modern molecular techniques that
enable researchers to study gene flow, how populations are genetically structured, and
how the Tree of Life can be reconstructed from genetic data. The practical classes will
also introduce students to generic skills of laboratory techniques and how this can be
used in combination with field-based observations.
Educational Aims
This topic aims to introduce genetic information flow from generation to generation,
to the formation of population and species structure and provide the basis for
introducing current biodiversity and how this has been shaped by the forces of
evolution. The topic aims to be vertically integrated and so provide the students with
an understanding of how events and processes at a cellular level, and that of the gene,
effect and influence what happens at the level of an organism, a population and an
ecosystem (and vice versa). The practical class will emphasis this vertical structure by
following a single gene sequence from a variety of organisms to build a phylogenetic
tree. The practical class provides the opportunity to introduce generic practical skills
in laboratory-based biology.
Expected Learning At the completion of the topic, students are expected to be able to:
Outcomes
1. Understand principles of heredity, Mendelian genetics and its uses, selection,
speciation theory
2. Work in teams in a laboratory setting
3. Collate data collected in the laboratory and incorporate literature in a
manuscript for publication
BIOL2701 Experimental Design and Statistics for Biology
Dr SC Leterme
Year
2012
Units
4.5
Class Contact
1 2-hour lecture weekly
1 1-hour workshop weekly
1 3-hour laboratory fortnightly
1 3-hour computer laboratory fortnightly
Prerequisites
1 1 of BIOL1101, BIOL1601
2 1 of BIOL1102, BIOL1602, BIOL1112
Must Satisfy: (1 and 2)
Enrolment not
permitted
If 1 of BIOL2162, STAT2700 has been successfully completed
Topic Description
Many investigations in biochemistry, botany, zoology, microbiology, molecular
biology, genetics and ecology are quantitative, with observations and experiments
consisting of numerical facts called data. As biological entities have to be counted and
measured, some objective methods are necessary to aid the investigator in presenting
and analysing research data. Before data can be analysed, they must be collected and
often statistical considerations help in the design of experiments and hypotheses to be
tested. Still too many biologists attempt the analysis of their data only to find out that
too few data points were collected to enable reliable conclusions to be drawn.
Alternatively, it may appear that some effort might have been put in collecting data
that cannot be used in the analysis of the experiment. Hence, the knowledge of basic
statistical principles and procedures is critical even before an experiment begins. This
topic aims at introducing basic concepts of sampling methods and statistical analysis
that can be applied to any field of research in biology.
Educational Aims
The educational aims of the topic are for the students to get an understanding of the
importance of collecting and analysing data when doing research in Biological
Sciences.
Expected Learning At the completion of the topic, students are expected to be able to:
Outcomes
1. Design experiments and sampling regime for a specific scientific project
2. Collect data in the field or laboratory
3. Apply appropriate statistical tests to analyse data
4. Analyse and graph data using software
5. Communicate a scientific report using both written and oral communication
skills
BIOL3712 Integrative Physiology of Animals and Plants
Associate Professor JC Stangoulis
2012
Year
Units
4.5
Class Contact
3 50-minute lectures weekly
1 1-hour tutorial weekly
5 3-hour laboratories per semester
1 30-hour project work per semester
Prerequisites
1 1 of BIOL1101, BIOL1601
2 1 of BIOL1102, BIOL1602, BIOL1112
Enrolment not
permitted
If 1 of BIOL2122, BIOL2260, BIOL2424, BIOL3324 has been successfully
completed
Topic Description
This topic uses an integrative approach to understand the range of physiological
systems that determine how animals and plants maintain their internal environment
(i.e. water and ionic relations, circulation, nutrient acquisition, growth, circadian
rhythms) in response to a broad range of external environments, with particular focus
on difficult external environments (hot, arid, salty). The topic will provide the
physiological underpinnings that enhance the understanding of animal and plant
behaviour, feeding, reproductive and mating strategies, perception, and response to the
environment. Examples are drawn from across the animal and plant kingdoms and will
include details of where animal and plant physiology interact. Human physiology is
included throughout as part of a comparative approach. The topic will also include
reference to the evolutionary influences shaping physiology across the animal and
plant kingdoms.
Educational Aims
After completing this topic students should have a basic understanding of how animal
and plant physiology influences their perception of and response to the external
environment. Students should also be able to integrate their physiological
understanding when observing interactions between animals and plants in their
environment. Students will also gain skills for monitoring aspects of ex situ and in situ
plant and animal physiology. Finally, students will have experience of applying their
physiological understanding and skills through identifying, exploring and reporting on
natural animal-plant interactions. This will be achieved through a research project that
will require students to utilise effective group work and management skills to identify
an appropriate animal-plant system, observe and monitor the system, and present their
findings in oral and written format.
Expected Learning At the completion of the topic, students are expected to be able to:
Outcomes
1. Understand the basic physiological function (including the associated
anatomy) that animals and plants rely on to survive in their external
environments
2. Understand how knowledge of the physiological constraints of animals and
plants enhance the understanding of observed interactions between animals and
plants within their environment and with each other
3. Have awareness of how evolution has influenced the multitude of
physiological alternatives observed in the natural world
4. Apply the concepts presented in lectures to unfamiliar examples of animal and
plant interactions
5. Identify and apply the appropriate laboratory and field based physiological
monitoring in novel situations
6. Use an understanding of physiological system function and apply skills for
monitoring of animal and plant physiology to design, execute and report on a
research project/review using a team approach
BIOL3703 Vertebrate Palaeontology
Associate Professor GJ Prideaux
Year
2012
Units
4.5
Class Contact
18 50-minute lectures per semester
21 2-hour practicals per semester
16 2-hour project works per semester
Prerequisites
18 units of CPES, BIOL, ARCH, EASC, ECOT, CHEM topics
Enrolment not
permitted
If 1 of BIOD8005, BIOL3390, BIOL8703 has been successfully completed
Topic Description
This topic involves a research project held at Naracoorte Caves during mid-February.
Content includes comparative anatomy, taxonomy, systematics and biostratigraphy of
Australian fossil vertebrates with particular emphasis on marsupials. It includes on site
experience in the study of cave processes and the excavation and/or preparation of the
fossilised remains of extinct vertebrates.
Educational Aims
This topic aims to develop an understanding of the concepts and methods used by
vertebrate palaeontologists to reconstruct the history of life on earth and in the process
provide students with an overview of the evolution and radiation of the Australian
mammal fauna.
Expected Learning At the completion of the topic, students are expected to be able to:
Outcomes
1. Interpret a local fossil-bearing stratigraphic section and describe the site
formation history of a fossil site
2. Have some understanding of the methods used to, document, excavate and
transport fossils to a laboratory for further preparation and study
3. Make a preliminary identification of the fossil(s) from teeth and skeletal
elements
4. Have some understanding of the application of taphonomic principles in (a)
determining the likely cause of death and (b) in the reconstruction of a fossil
community
5. Apply general principles to the identification and classification of Australasian
reptiles and mammals
6. Collect palaeontological data from a sample of fossil material in order to
interpret the faunal composition, geological context, palaeoecology and
taphonomic history of the sample
7. Have gained some insight into research in at least one aspect of contemporary
vertebrate palaeontology
CHEM1201 General Chemistry
Dr SG Pyke
Year
2009
Units
4.5
Enrolment not
permitted
If 1 of CHEM1101, CHEM1601 has been successfully completed
Assessment
Examinations, Laboratory Work, Weekly Online Quizzes, Workshops, Key
Competency Quizzes, Mid-Semester Test, Basic Maths Competency Test, Key
Competency Test
Topic Description
Note: This topic has been designed specifically for students who have not studied
chemistry beyond elementary levels at secondary school or who have ot studied
Chemistry at stage 2 SACE level in recent years. It may not be taken for credit by
students who have already passed CHEM1101 and/or CHEM1102.
The subject matter in the topic has been chosed and organised to provide students with
a background of chemical knowledge. It will be of special value to students who are
insufficiently prepared in chemistry to enter CHEM1101 and who intend to proceed to
a degree in chemistry, another area of science or social science.
Successful completion of this topic together with CHEM1101 and CHEM1102
provides a one year pathway to second year programs in chemistry.
The topic deals with classification of matter, chemical symbols, formulae and
equations, laws of chemical combination, atomic and molecular structure, bonding,
relationships between bond type and physcial properties, intermolecular forces, acids
and bases, molarity, gas laws, liquids and their vapour pressures, elementary kinetics
and thermodynamics.
Educational Aims
The aim of this topic is to provide students with a little or no chemistry background
enough information to be able to continue studies in chemistry and to assist in other
topics offered within the university.
Expected Learning At the completion of this topic, students are expected to be able to:
Outcomes
1. Appreciate how chemists classify and name matter and be able to do this in
simple situations
2. Appreciate the concept of a chemical reaction
3. Describe a simple reaction by means of an equation
4. Use equations to determine the quantaties of reactants and products needed or
produced in a chemical reaction
5. Understand the concepts of ionic, covalent and metallic bonding
6. Understand the concept of intermolecular force and use it to predict relative
molecular properties such as melting point, boiling point and vapour pressure
7. Predict the outcome of acid-base and precipitation reactions
8. Understand the concepts of enthalpy and entropy and perform simple
calculations
9. Know the ideal gas equation and be able to apply it
10. Understand the factors that affect the rate of a reaction
11. Work in a laboratory with due regard for the occupational health and safety of
themselves and others in the laboratory and of those in the community at large
CHEM1202 Chemistry for Life Sciences
Associate Professor MV Perkins
Year
2009
Units
4.5
Class Contact
24 50-minute lectures per semester
1 50-minute tutorial weekly
3 90-minute workshops per semester
4 3-hour practicals per semester
1 60-minute on-line exercises weekly
1 CHEM1201 Prerequisites
^ = may be enrolled 2 ^ CHEM1101 concurrently
Must Satisfy: ((1) or (2))
Assessment
Examinations, Laboratory Work, Workshop Participation and Online Quizzes.
Topic Description
This topic is designed to provide the fundamentals of acid/base (buffer) chemistry,
electrochemistry and organic chemistry in a biological context for students of the life
sciences.
The topic deals with chemical equilibrium, the pH scale, iconic equilibria, buffer
solutions, redox reactions and electrochemical cells, electrolysis, organic chemistry of
aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, compounds having other important functional
groups, amino acids, carbohydrates and DNA and the fundamentals of biological
mechanisms. The basics of anlaysis and chromotography are also covered.
Educational Aims
The aim of this topic is to provide students primarily from the life sciences with a
chemistry background enough information to be able to continue studies in chemistry
and to assist in other topics offered in the university.
Expected Learning At the completion of this topic, students are expected to be able to:
Outcomes
1. Understand the concept of oxidation numbers
2. Appreciate simple concepts of electrochemistry and thus recognize and
balance redox reactions
3. Know the basic nomenclature in organic chemistry
4. Distinguish different funcional groups and predict their chemical reactions
5. Understand geometrical and optical isomerisms
6. Be familiar with common synthetic and biological polymers
7. Demonstrate knowledge of the chemical structure of amino acids, and
polypeptides
8. Demonstrate basic knowledge of the action of enzyme catalysis
9. Demonstrate knowedge of the chemical structure of DNA and RNA
10. Predict the outcome of reactions in equilibrium
11. Have knowledge of the factors influencing the chemical equilibruim
12. Perform titrations and pH calculations
13. Understand the fundamentals of chemical analysis and separation by
chromatography
14. Work in a laboratory with due regard for the occupational health and safety of
themselves and others in the laboratory and of those in the community at large
MATH1121 Mathematics 1A
Associate Professor MJ Bottema
Associate Professor Vladimir Ejov in S2
Year
2009
Units
4.5
Class Contact
4 50-minute lectures weekly
Enrolment not
permitted
If 1 of MATH1131, MATH1141 has been successfully completed
Assumed
Knowledge
SACE Stage 2 Mathematical Studies or Mathematical Methods. Other students should
see MATH1701 Mathematics Fundamentals A.
Topic Description
This topic together with MATH1122 Mathematics 1B is designed for students who
have studied SACE Stage 2 Mathematics and who wish to proceed to a degree in any
discipline which requires higher level mathematics. It is the standard prerequisite for
all higher level topics in mathematics that require knowledge of first year
mathematics.
The material covered includes: functions, limits and continuity, differential calculus,
computation of derivatives, the chain rule, Intermediate Value and Mean Value
Theorems. Applications to graphing, rates of change, maxima and minima. Complex
numbers, Euler's formula, complex exponential. Three-dimensional analytic geometry,
matrices, systems of linear equations, vectors, equations of lines and planes.
Educational Aims
This topic introduces the basic concepts and techniques of differential calculus,
complex numbers, linear algebra, systems of equations and matrices and provides the
foundation for all areas requiring first year university mathematics. Intensive handsonapproach in the workshops aims to provide the students the essential skills in
mathematical manipulations within the context of the course. The topic aims to
develop a modelling and problem solving approach to mathematics and its
applications through an appropriate combination of the underlying concepts and the
facility of mathematical software.
Expected Learning At the completion of the topic, students are expected to be able to:
Outcomes
1. Understand the key concepts which underlie single-variable differential
calculus and linear algebra
2. Be familiar with the basic facilities available in Maplemathematical software
3. Use problem solving, critical and reasoning abilities
MATH1122 Mathematics 1B
Professor JA Filar
Dr Mariusz Bajger in S2
Year
2009
Units
4.5
Class Contact
4 1-hour lectures weekly
Prerequisites
1 of MATH1121, MATH1101, MATH1131, MATH1141, MATH1111
Enrolment not
permitted
If MATH1142 has been successfully completed
Assessment
S1 - Eleven Home Work Assignments, Examination
S2 - Six Home Work Assignments, Examination
Topic Description
This topic is a continuation of material of MATH1121 Mathematics 1A and together
with MATH1121 Mathematics 1A is intended to provide access to all higher level
mathematics topics which require knowledge of standard first year mathematics. The
emphasis is on a modelling approach to mathematics and its applications within a
coherent framework.
The material covered includes elementary transcendental functions. Integral calculus,
fundamental theorem of the calculus, standard techniques of integration including
substitution, parts, partial fractions, application to motion, arclength, area, volumes
and solids of revolution, Taylor polynomials, series, power series, introduction to
elementary differential equations, simple harmonic motion. Systems of linear
equations, Gaussian elimination, matrix algebra and determinants.
Educational Aims
This topic is a continuation of the material of MATH1121 Mathematics 1A. This topic
develops the properties of elementary transcendental functions and introduces key
ideas and applications of integral calculus, matrix algebra and linear algebra.
Expected Learning At the completion of this topic, students are expected to be able to:
Outcomes
1. Have a knowledge of the basic properties of the elementary transcedental
functions
2. Understand and apply the key ideas and methods of integral calculus
3. Understand and analyse the relation between differential and integral calculus
4. Understand and apply key ideas from linear and matrix algebra to the solution
of systems of linear equations
5. Develop further skills in the use of computational technology
6. Have enhanced problem solving, criical and reasoning abilities
7. Appreciate the historical context underlying the development of modern
mathematical principles and ideas
8. Have an informed appreciation of the wide applicability of integral calculus
and matrix algebra in other areas of Science and Engineering
MATH2711 Several Variable Calculus
Professor GP Knowles
Year
2012
Units
4.5
Class Contact
3 50-minute lectures weekly
1 50-minute tutorial weekly
Prerequisites
1 1 of MATH1121, MATH1141
2 1 of MATH1122, MATH1142
Must Satisfy: (1 and 2)
Enrolment not
permitted
If 1 of ENGR2711, ENGR8761, MATH2111 has been successfully completed
Topic Description
This topic includes: Vectors and the geometry of Space, dot and cross product,
equations of lines and planes; Vector Functions, derivatives and integrals of vector
functions, velocity and acceleration in space; Partial Derivatives, tangent planes and
approximation, chain rule, directional derivatives, maximum and minimum values,
Lagrange multipliers; Multiple Integrals, double and triple Integrals, change of
variable; Vector Calculus, line integrals, Green's theorem, Curl and Divergence,
surface integrals, Stokes and The Divergence theorem.
Educational Aims
This topic equips the students with the skills needed to solve mathematical problems
in the calculus of several variables,. These provide the mathematical pre-requisites
that the student needs for the second and higher year Mathematics topics. The focus is
on the application of the mathematical ideas to practical problems.
Expected Learning At the completion of the topic, students are expected to be able to:
Outcomes
1. Understand the principles of Multivariate Calculus
2. Apply Multivariate Calculus to practical problems