Curricula

Objectives

Course purpose

During this course you will learn mathematical equation solving skills that are necessary during your studies in the field of technology.

Course competences

EUR-ACE: Knowledge and understanding
You have the knowledge and understanding of mathematics and other basic sciences underlying your engineering specialisation, at a level necessary to achieve the other programme learning outcomes.

Learning outcomes

After completing this course you are able to simplify expressions. You are able to solve polynomial equations, equations involving roots and systems of equations by hand, graphically and with the help of a calculator or a computer. You are able to solve mathematical problems by using given models. You also get to know mathematical content related to your own field of study.

Content

In this course, you will learn the mathematical equation solving skills you need to study engineering. You will master the sieving of expressions and be able to solve polynomial and root equations and groups of equations manually, graphically and using computer technology. You will learn how to solve mathematical problems using ready-made models and become familiar with the mathematical content of the degree programme. This course will give you a strong foundation in solving technical problems and applying mathematical skills in practice.

Most important contents are:

- Simplifying expressions (fractional exponents, polynomials, rational expressions, binomial formulas)
- Drawing and interpreting graphs of functions
- Linear equations and lines
- Quadratic equations and parabolas
- Equations involving roots
- Systems of equations
- Percentages and proportions
- Trigonometry of right triangles
- Basics of solid geometry
- Degree-program-related content

Time and location

Implementation at Dynamo building on the Lutakko campus during period 2.

The course has 80% compulsory to attend contact teaching. All absences from contact teaching must be compensated in the manner indicated at the beginning of the course.

Some weeks may include distance learning depending on the availability of Dynamo's classrooms.

Learning materials and recommended literature

Free openly licensed textbooks will be used. Links will be shared in the Moodle learning environment.

Teaching methods

Weekly contact teaching (2+2 h/week), weekly exercises and homework exercises, project work, independent studying from theory material, exams.

Exam dates and retake possibilities

Schedule of the exams and two resits will be given in the beginning of the course.

The course ends with a resit-2. After this, coursework returns are no longer accepted and the incomplete course must be re-taken in its entirety at the next course implementation.

Alternative completion methods

Possibility to take an exam at the beginning of the course on the Exam Studio platform or on other means of organising the exam. In addition, coursework must be returned to Moodle.

Student workload

The estimated workload of the course is 3 credits * 27 h/cr = 81 h.

Contact teaching and councelling approx. 30 h
Weekly exercises and tests 6 x 6 h = 36 h
Independent study of material, preparation for exams and project work 12 h
Final exams 3 h

Content scheduling

The schedule of the course is agreed on at the first meeting of the course and then published in the e-learning environment.

Further information for students

Assessment methods:
The course includes compulsory assignments, homework and mid-term tests. Assessment will be by means of an end-of-course pass/fail exam and with a grade exam or with exam on Exam Studio. A pass mark of grade 1 is awarded on completion of the compulsory elements of the course and succeeding in the pass/fail exam. A higher grade requires participation in an grade exam.

It is also recommended to choose the course Mat1 Support if you have no background in upper secondary school long mathematics or if you need to build up your calculation routine.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Evaluation criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Grade 1

You are able to simplify expressions. You recognise different types of equations and are able to solve simple polynomial equations, equations involving roots and pairs of equations. You can solve verbal and geometric problems when the mathematical model is given.

Grade 2

You understand the notion and notation of polynomial equations. You can solve polynomial equations, equations involving roots and systems of equations by hand, graphically and with the help of information technology. You are able to mathematically model and then solve simple verbal and geometric problems.

Evaluation criteria, good (3-4)

Grade 3

You master the notion and notation of polynomial equations. You can solve polynomial equations, equations involving roots and systems of equations by hand, graphically and with the help of information technology. You are able to mathematically model and then solve simple verbal and geometric problems.

Grade 4

You master the notion and notation of polynomial equations. You can solve challenging polynomial equations, equations involving roots and systems of equations by hand, graphically and with the help of information technology. You are able to mathematically model and then solve such verbal and geometric problems that coincide with previously treated problems.

Evaluation criteria, excellent (5)

Grade 5

You master the notion and notation of polynomial equations. You can solve challenging polynomial equations, equations involving roots and systems of equations by hand, graphically and with the help of information technology. You are able to mathematically model and then creatively solve new verbal and geometric problems.

Prerequisites

You know the fundamental rules of arithmetic and can perform basic mathematical operations both numerically and symbolically. You know the difference between an expression and an equation. You can solve simple equations of first and second degree. You are familiar with basic calculations involving percentage. You know what a function is.

Further information

The course is well suited to be taken before the beginning of studies in technology. The course also offers good mathematical competencies for studies in other fields than technology. The course is offered also in the open university of applied sciences.