Sarawak Campus

School of Foundation Studies

Foundation Studies

Unit of Study Outline

FST10012
Mathematics for Computing
Semester 1, 2019
Version date (29 March, 2019)
SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY SARAWAK - FOUNDATION STUDIES

Section A
General information you need to know for successful completion of the unit.
NOTE: Any changes to this unit outline will be notified by the Unit Convenor.

Unit Code FST10012

Unit Name Mathematics for Computing
Teaching period 1 Year 2019 No. of Groups 2
No. of Weeks 15 Contact Hours 6 Total Hours 78
per week

1. Contact Details
Name Telephone Email
Unit Convenor Hephi Liauw Ext: 8871 hliauw@swinburne.edu.my
Unit Convenor’s office G513
Lecturer/s / Tutor(s) Hephi Liauw (Group 1, 2) Ext. 8871 hliauw@swinburne.edu.my
Head of School Su Sueh Ing Ext: 7672 ssu@swinburne.edu.my
Head of School’s Office G102B
Head of School’s Dayang Norasikin Talhata Ext: 8744 ntalhata@swinburne.edu.my
Personal Assistant
Coordinator Winnie Lam Ext: 7887 wwlam@swinburne.edu.my

2. Learning and Teaching Structure

Activity Total Hours Hours per Week Teaching Period Weeks

Lectures 26 hours 2 hours Week 1 to 13

Tutorials 52 hours 4 hours Week 1 to 13

3. Unit Outline
Unit Type Stream
Pre/Co-Requisites Nil

Unit Aims The purpose of this unit is to provide the participant with the knowledge and skills
to apply, interpret and use mathematical techniques in a variety of situations
relevant to computer applications.
Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of this unit students will be able to:
1 Identify the fundamentals of number systems and number theory.
Interpret the fundamentals of algebraic modelling and generalize solutions to
2
algebraic equations.
Express convincing arguments, generalize basic mathematical proofs and
3
discriminate between valid and fallacious arguments.
4 Apply learned mathematical concept to solve simple computational problems.
Demonstrate the knowledge and skills obtained to express solutions to a variety
5
of discrete mathematical problems.

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6 Define and recognize basic probability concepts.

4. Assessment Details – Graded Assessment and Linkage

Assessment Outline (NB Assessment task to be linked to learning outcomes)
Assessment Task Weighting Learning Outcomes
Class Tests: 40-50% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Written Tests
Final Examination: 50-60% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Written Examination
In order to achieve a pass in this unit of study, you must:
• Achieve an aggregate of 50% or more.

5. Learning Resources
Books Prescribed Text
§ Learning materials will be available on Blackboard.
Materials Recommended Readings
§ John Dowsey (2009), MathsWorld Maths Methods CAS Units 3 and 4 : Second Edition for
CAS, MacMillan Education Australia.
§ Neil Cracknell, Michael Evans, Peter Jones, Josian Astruc, Sue Avery (2011), Essential
Specialist Mathematics 3rd Edition, Australia & New Zealand.
§ Andrew Simpson (2010), Discrete Mathematics by Example, Tata McGraw-Hill Education
India.
§ 3G E-Learning LLC, USA (2017), Discrete Mathematics, 3G E-Learning LLC.

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6. Weekly Schedule

SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, SARAWAK CAMPUS

TIMELINE – TEACHING PERIOD Semester 1, 2019

Week
Beginning Topic Assessment
(Monday)
1 8 Apr Number Systems

2 15 Apr Number Systems

3 22 Apr Number Theory

4 29 Apr Number Theory

Written Test 1
(20-25%)
5 6 May Written Test 1 (20-25%)
(will be
announced later
on Canvas)
6 13 May Algebra

7 27 May Algebra

8 3 Jun Discrete Structures

9 10 Jun Discrete Structures

Written Test 2
(20-25%)
10 17 Jun Written Test 2 (20-25%)
(will be
announced later
on Canvas)
11 24 Jun Probability and Statistics

12 1 Jul Probability and Statistics

13 8 Jul Revision Week

14 15 Jul Final Exam Week

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Section B
Information you need to know for successful completion of the unit

Content
The topics to be studied are:
1. Number systems
2. Number theory (modular arithmetic, series, logarithmic)
3. Algebra
4. Discrete structures
5. Probability and Statistics

Swinburne Graduate Attributes:

Swinburne graduate attributes signify that the university intends that its teaching programs assist
all its graduates to be:
• capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas;
• entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace
or community;
• effective and ethical in work and community situations;
• adaptable and able to manage change; and
• aware of local and international environments in which they will be contributing (eg socio-
cultural, economic, natural).

Key Generic Skills for this Unit of Study

During the semester, you will be provided with feedback on your progress in attaining the following
generic skills at foundation level:
§ Analysis skills
§ Problem solving skills
§ Applying knowledge
§ Ability to tackle unfamiliar problems, and
§ Ability to work independently

Canvas Site for this Unit of Study

Important information concerning this unit of study is placed on a website on the Swinburne Course
Management System (Canvas), accessible via
https://swinburnesarawak.instructure.com/login/saml/10
To login to Canvas, please use your student Webmail username
(StudentID@students.swinburne.edu.my) and password.
It is your responsibility to access on a regular basis
• The Canvas site for your unit of study,
• The Announcements section on Canvas, and
• any emails sent by the teaching staff to your email address via Canvas
• It is your responsibility to ensure that your email address on Canvas is set to your preferred
email address. To set and include extra email address on Canvas, go to ACCOUNT, click on
SETTINGS, > go to WAYS TO CONTACT > click + EMAIL ADDRESS

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Participation requirements [if appropriate]

ALL students are expected to attend and participate in ALL lecture and tutorial activities set in the
unit outline. If you should miss three consecutive lecture or tutorial sessions, you will be issued a
warning letter on your attendance and participation from Student Operations and your Course
Coordinator. If you should receive more than one warning letter, you may be barred from taking
your final examination or passing the unit.
If you are not able to attend the lecture class due to unforeseen circumstances, you must inform
the Unit Convener and Lecturer beforehand. Please note that you must supply a valid a medical
certificate if you fell ill on your missed class. This must be done within 72 hours of the class
missed.
International students are at risk of having their student visa withdrawn if they do not fulfil minimum
requirements for attendance.

Minimum requirements to pass this unit of study:

In order to achieve a pass in this unit of study, a student:
• must achieve an aggregate of 50%
A re-sit paper is not permitted; if a student does not meet the criteria to pass the unit, the student
must repeat the unit.

Further assessment may be granted by Board of Examiners in the situation where a student fails to
meet the criteria to pass the unit but it is the Last Unit of Study for the Foundation Course. Award
of Further assessment is at the discretion of the Board of Examiners. Notification to students will
be made after the Board of Examiners meeting. If your results show that you have been granted a
further assessment you should immediately check with lecturer for details.
It is the responsibility of the student to be available to complete the requirements of a further
assessment.
Further assessment can only achieve a pass grade.

Assessment criteria:
• Assessment criteria for the assessments will be available on Canvas.
• Assessment criteria will be provided for assessment tasks as appropriate.

Grading Scheme

Start End Grade Grade Grade Status

Marks Marks Description Point
80 100 HD High Distinction 4.00 Pass
70 79 D Distinction 3.67 Pass
60 69 C Credit 3.00 Pass
50 59 P Pass 2.33 Pass
45 49 N Fail 1.67 Fail
30 44 N Fail 1.33 Fail
0 29 N Fail 0.00 Fail

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Late Assignments or missed Tests

Absence from any scheduled assessments due to participation in personal events will be
considered as having failed the assessment, unless the student represents the country, state or
Swinburne in any event that is verified beforehand with official documentation. If you are not able
to take a test due to unforeseen circumstances such as accident or hospitalisation, the lecturer
must be informed via email within 72 hours of the test missed with supporting document such as a
police report or a valid medical certificate and Medical Impact Form with the illness indicated
clearly. A replacement test is subject to the approval of the Unit Convener.
A consistent policy has been adopted regarding submission of assignments after the designated
due date. This policy includes the following:
• Assignments need to follow the Swinburne Harvard standard/style of presentation. A style
brochure is available in the library
• Assignments are to be handed directly to the Unit lecturer or in a designated Assignment
Dropbox as stated in the submission requirements.
• Students need to ensure they keep a hard copy of any assignments they submit. This copy
needs to be DATED. Keeping an electronic copy on file is not adequate.
• Students should note that Saturday and Sunday are deemed to be working days in the case of
late submission of assignments.
• Plagiarism will not be permitted. Students need to attach an assignment declaration form
available from Canvas.
• Any assignment submitted after the designated due date and time will be penalised by
deduction of 10% of the marks for each working day that the assignment is late.
• Late assignments will only be accepted without penalty if a student has a valid medical reason
or an extension has been applied for and granted, in writing. A valid medical certificate and
Medical Impact Form must accompany any valid medical reason for a late assignment
and must be provided within 72 hours of the assignment or test due date.
• Any assignment that is more than five working days late will not be accepted for marking.
• The first deduction of 10% for late assignments will be applied to any assignment handed in
after the designated date and time.
• Extensions will only be granted in exceptional circumstances and any request for an extension
should be made, in writing, at least a week before the assignment is due.
• If a Unit Convenor or lecturer designates that an assignment is to be handed in to the office,
students must ensure that the assignment is date stamped or signed by the Administration
staff.

Resubmission of Assignments
Students may resubmit an assignment or assessment piece that has not received a pass at the
discretion of the Unit convener. Re-submitted work can only achieve a pass grade.

Availability of Assessment Results, Retention of Assessed Materials:

Assessed material will be returned to you and feedback will be provided, but you must retain all
assessed material that contributes to the final grade up until such time as the final grades are
published. The assessed material must, after a reasonable time, be produced on demand for
review by the Convenor. Non-compliance with this requirement may result in loss of all credit for
the assessed material not so produced.
Feedback will be provided for all assessments, but the Unit Convenor or lecturer has the right to
retain the assessed material.
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Group Work Guidelines:

“A group project is the collective responsibility of the entire group, and if one member is temporarily
unable to contribute, the group should be able to reallocate responsibilities to keep to schedule. In
the event of longer-term illness or other serious problems involving a member of a project group, it
is the responsibility of the other members to make the project supervisor aware of the situation
straight away.
Group project reports must be submitted with the project cover sheet, signed by all members of the
group.
All group members must be satisfied that the work has been correctly submitted. Any penalties for
late submission will apply to all group members, not just the person who submitted.”

Swinburne University of Technology’s definition of plagiarism:

Plagiarism is the action or practice of taking and submitting or presenting the thoughts, writings or
other work of someone else as though it is your own work. Plagiarism includes any of the following,
without full and appropriate acknowledgment to the original source(s):
(i) The use of the whole or part of a computer program written by another person;
(ii) the use, in essays or other assessable work, of the whole or part of a written work from any
source including but not limited to a book, journal, newspaper article, set of lecture notes,
current or past student’s work, any other person’s work, a website or database;
(iii) the paraphrasing of another’s work;
(iv) the use of musical composition, audio, visual, graphic and photographic models,
(v) The use of realia, that is objects, artefacts, costumes, models and the like.
Plagiarism also includes the preparation or production and submission or presentation of
assignments or other work in conjunction with another person or other people when that work
should be your own independent work. This remains plagiarism whether or not it is with the
knowledge or consent of the other person or people. It should be noted that Swinburne encourages
its students to talk to staff, fellow students and other people who may be able to contribute to a
student’s academic work but that where independent assignment is required, submitted or
presented work must be the student’s own.
Enabling plagiarism contributes to plagiarism and therefore will be treated as a form of plagiarism
by the University. Enabling plagiarism means allowing or otherwise assisting another student to
copy or otherwise plagiarise work by, for example, allowing access to a draft or completed
assignment or other work.
The information outlined in this section above is covered in more detail in Swinburne Sarawak’s
Student Academic Misconduct Regulations 2012 found at
http://www.swinburne.edu.au/policies/regulations/academicmisconduct.html
Students must be familiar with the regulations found at Student Administration > Assessment >
Misconduct and Plagiarism at http://www.swinburne.edu.au/student-
administration/assessment/misconduct.html

Assessment and Results Policy

The information outlined in the Assessment sections above is covered in more detail in Swinburne
Sarawak’s Assessment and Results Policy. Students must be familiar with the Policy found at
http://www.swinburne.edu.au/policies/academic/assessment.html

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The Policy provides details about:

• Assessment issues such as the conduct of examinations, plagiarism policies and details
explaining how to apply for a review of results and other appeals, and
• Student progress issues such as unsatisfactory academic progress and early intervention
procedures, and
• Information for students with disabilities and special needs and procedures for applying for
special consideration.
Students should make themselves familiar with all aspects of the Policy, as failure to do so is not
grounds for appeal.

Student Feedback:
Swinburne seeks student feedback in a number of ways, including through periodic “Student
Feedback on Units” and “Student Feedback on Teaching” surveys, as part of the university’s
approach to quality assurance and improvement. Possible improvement based on both student
and staff feedback is considered by Unit Convenors, Unit Panels made up of relevant teaching
staff, Program Panels, Academic Committees, and the Academic Programs Quality Committee, as
appropriate.

Safety Standards and Conduct Requirements:

The University executes safety drills without warning. Be prepared to follow instructions from staff
and/or wardens to evacuate the building in a safe and orderly manner.
All students are expected to respect the rights and sensibilities of their fellow students and
teaching staff. This also applies in respect of the content of video and audio work submitted for
assessment. The University had implemented anti-discrimination and harassment policies and
procedures to promote a discrimination and harassment free work and study environment for all
staff and students: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/policies/hr/behaviour.html
Safety procedures in laboratories must be followed. For your own safety, bare feet, thongs and
other open sandals are forbidden. Eating, drinking or smoking in laboratories is not allowed. A
mature, sensible attitude and a healthy respect for the equipment is always required. Juvenile, ill-
mannered or reckless behaviour will not be tolerated, and the laboratory supervisor has the right to
exclude students from the laboratory should their behaviour constitute a danger to themselves or
others. Such behaviour would result in forfeiture of all marks for that experiment. The playing of
computer games is not allowed in the computer labs.

Special Needs
If you have special needs you should advise the School and the Unit of Study Convenor by the end
of the second week of the teaching period. In addition, you are recommended to notify the Equity
Office if you have not already done so.
See also the Swinburne “Adjustments to assessment arrangements and Special Consideration”
Section of the Assessment and Results Policy, at
https://www.swinburne.edu.au/policies/academic/assessment.html#special

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