GAS1641

Engineering mathematics 1A

Dr John Arkinstall, Dr Alistair Carr and Dr Jill Wright

4 points
* First semester (Gippsland/Distance) and second semester (distance education only)
* 3 hours lectures and one 1-hour tutorial per week
* Prerequisites: An appropriate Year 12 Mathematics or GAS1601
* Prohibitions: Not for credit with GAS1613, MAT1910

Objectives The student is expected to demonstrate an understanding of the basic computational techniques of calculus; understand sufficient of the conceptual basis of calculus to be able to apply it to derive formulations of scientific and engineering problems; demonstrate facility in computations involving matrices, determinants and vectors in three-dimensional space; demonstrate an understanding of the use of matrices in representing transformations and of the geometric interpretation and uses of vector algebra.

Synopsis Topics covered include the following. Calculus: functions; review of differentiation with applications including approximations, the finding of local extreme points, rate problems and curve sketching; definite integration with application to areas, volumes and centres of mass; systematic indefinite integration; elementary differential equations (as far as first order separable) with applications. Linear algebra: algebra of matrices; homogeneous linear transformations on R2and R3; determinants; matrix inversion; vectors in three-dimensional space - scalar and vector products and applications in geometry and statics and dynamics.

Assessment Class tests and assignments: 40%
* Examination (3 hours): 60%

Prescribed texts

To be advised on enrolment