SCHOOL OF MATHEMATICS

MATHEMATICS FOR PART I ENGINEERING

Self Study Course – 2004/05

MODULE 0 Discussion of course

1. Introduction
Mathematics is an essential tool for the Engineer. The primary aim of this course is to enable you to
understand the mathematical techniques which you will need in the rest of your engineering studies.
The self-study format of this course has been used successfully for over 25 years, and it has proved a very
effective and popular way of teaching first year mathematics to engineers, who arrive at university with very
different mathematical backgrounds and abilities. Module 0 describes the course structure.

2. How the course will run

This is a self-study course, written round a textbook – there are no lectures. The syllabus is divided into
Modules, each of which is designed to cover approximately one week’s work. When you feel you have
understood a Module sufficiently well and you have successfully attempted the Specimen Test, you present
yourself for a short test which will be marked and gone through with you by your mathematics course Tutor.
If you are successful, you go on to the next Module—otherwise you go back, do some more work on the
Module and present yourself later for a second parallel test. Passing a test (see section 7 for more details)
contributes to your final mark for the mathematics course (see section 10). The tests, marking and tutorial
help will take place in tutorial/testing sessions and you will find full details of these in sections 7 and 8.
Please read the distributed separate sheet which summarises the main points of this course.

3. Course organisation

(i) Course Organiser , Bernhard Koeck (Mathematics), responsible for the course as a whole.
(ii) Academic Supervisors, also members of the School of Mathematics, with responsibility for each group
of Engineering students.
(iii) Course Administrators, who are responsible for the distribution of Modules and tests, supervising the
taking of the tests and keeping an accurate record of progress.
(iv) Course Tutors, academic staff and postgraduate students, in Mathematics and Engineering, who:
(a) mark and discuss tests and
(b) are available for general tutoring assistance.
You are assigned to a specific course tutor (see separate sheet) whom you should see each time you attend
the tutorial/testing sessions.

4. What the course contains

The Modules for the 2004/05 session are as follows:–
1. Algebra (revision of basic rules; equations; inequalities; partial fractions)
2. Trigonometry (revision of standard trigonometric functions and formulae)
3. Differentiation I (basic rules; standard differentials; Newton’s method for finding roots; simple partial
differentiation)
4. Integration I (standard integrals; simple substitutions; integration by parts; numerical integration)
5. Complex numbers I (Argand diagram; polar form; exponential form and Euler’s formula)
6. Differential equations I (classification; separable first order ODEs; homogeneous second order ODEs
with constant coefficients)

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7. Functions (functions and inverse functions; trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions; expo-
nential and logarithmic functions; hyperbolic and inverse hyperbolic functions; differentiation of inverse
trigonometric and hyperbolic functions)
8. Differentiation II (maxima, minima and points of inflection; curve sketching; parametric, implicit and
logarithmic differentiation; Maclaurin’s series; Taylor’s series)
9. Integration II (more advanced substitutions; applications including volumes of revolution, centroids,
centres of gravity, mean values, arc length)
10. Integration III (integration of rational functions; improper integrals)
11. Integration IV (double integrals; polar integrals; triple integrals)
12. Differential equations II (dx/dt = f (x/t); linear and exact first order ODEs)
13. Differential equations III (inhomogeneous second order ODEs with constant coefficients; free and
forced oscillations)
14. Vectors I (basic properties; Cartesian components; scalar and vector products)
15. Vectors II (triple products; differentiation and integration of vectors; vector equations of lines and
planes)
16. Matrices I (terminology; basic properties; determinants)
17. Matrices II (solving sets of linear equations; calculation of inverse using cofactor and elimination meth-
ods)
18. Matrices III (rank of a matrix; eigenvalues and eigenvectors)
19. Further calculus I (chain rule for partial derivatives; higher partial derivatives; total differentials and
errors)
20. Further calculus II (sequences and series; Rolle’s theorem; Taylor’s and Maclaurin’s theorems; l’Hô-
pital’s rule)
21. Laplace transforms (definition; simple transforms and properties; solution of first and second order
linear ODEs with constant coefficients)
22. Complex numbers II (complex trigonometric and hyperbolic functions; logarithm of a complex num-
ber; de Moivre’s theorem; nth roots; simple loci)
23. Fourier series (periodic signals; whole-range Fourier series; even and odd functions)
24. Statistics I (probability; conditional probability; combinations and permutations; discrete and contin-
uous random variables)
25. Statistics II (mean and standard error of sample data; normal distribution; sampling; confidence
intervals; hypothesis testing)

The Modules which the various Engineering groups study is shown below. Notice that different groups take
different combinations of Modules and in different orders so as to tie in more closely with the order in which
topics are covered in their particular first year Engineering course.

Semester 1 (10 weeks of Autumn term and first 2 weeks of Spring term)
MATH1010 (School of Engineering Sciences) 1-11
MATH1011 (Acoustic & Vibration Engineering) 1-11
MATH1012 (Civil & Environmental Engineering) lectures on 1-11
MATH1013 (Electronic & Electrical Engineering) 1, 2, 5, 3, 7, 22, 4, 6, 8, 14, 16
MATH1014 (Engineering Mathematics for Computer Science) 1, 3, 4, 16, 17, 24, 25, 14, 15, 7, 8

Semester 2 (final 6 weeks of Spring term and first 6 weeks of Summer term)
MATH1015 (School of Engineering Sciences) lectures on 14, 15, 12, 13, 21, 16-20, 22
MATH1016 (Acoustic & Vibration Engineering) lectures on 14, 15, 12, 13, 21, 16-19, 23, 22
MATH1017 (Electronic & Electrical Engineering) 9-13, 21, 15, 17-19, 23 (order to be finalised)

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5. Course modules
A Module consists of a batch of printed material which is to be used in conjunction with either of the course
textbooks, and from module 3 onwards it essential to have easy access to a copy of a book. The main book,
which will be referred to as J. throughout the Modules, is
Modern Engineering Mathematics by Glyn James et. al. (Prentice Hall) 2001 (3rd edition)
ISBN 0130183199.
Those of you with a less mathematical background may prefer to use the alternative text (referred to as S.),
Engineering Mathematics by K.A. Stroud (Palgrave) 2001 (5th edition) ISBN 0333919394.
J. and S. were chosen recently by a group of engineers and mathematicians to be the most appropriate
books for these units. However, no book (or set of lecture notes) is perfect for everyone and the intention of
the Modules is to guide you through the book, to supplement its contents, where necessary, and to rectify
its occasional inaccuracies.
Each Module has been designed to cover one week’s work and contain approximately the same amount of
material. Some of the Modules, however, will contain more material which is already partially familiar to
you and, therefore, you must be prepared to spend longer on some Modules than on others.
Each Module begins with Module Topics—a list of the main points covered in it. In some Modules there
may also be an introductory paragraph. This is followed by the Work Scheme based on James (3rd
edition), which is split into numbered sections. Most of the sections will refer to particular parts of J.,
which you will be asked to read (usually for background) or study (essential for the understanding of the
Module). Some sections of the work scheme, however, will contain material not in J. At various places in
the work scheme you will be asked to do Exercises, most of which will be taken from J. The handwritten
Worked Solutions to these Exercises are included towards the end of each Module.
After completing the work scheme you should attempt the Specimen Test, which is included in the Module
and is similar to the test you will take in the testing session. Solutions to the Specimen Test are included at
the end of each Module. These Tests show whether you know the basic material in the modules, although
the examination section B questions can be longer and more difficult.
Some of you with a weaker mathematical background may find the book by Stroud, a programmed learning
text, more appropriate. This covers less of the syllabus, but can be very useful for certain Modules. Therefore,
a Work Scheme based on Stroud (5th edition) is also included in each Module.
Lecture notes which summarise the content of the less familiar modules 12 – 25 are on the web (see section
11).

6. How to study
You may go about the Self-study course in whatever manner you choose, but these notes may be of some
guidance. First of all, understanding is not an all or nothing process; one understands at various levels.
Thus, when studying a section of a book it is suggested that you might adopt the following approach. First
read the section quickly and try to get a feeling for the scope of the material and its level. Then go back
over it carefully, more than once if necessary, each time trying to get a deeper understanding of what you
are reading. If you come across something on which you are stuck leave it for the time being and carry on.
The penny may well drop later. Even leaving it for a day or two can sometimes help. If it does not, see your
course tutor before going for a test.
You will get more out of your reading if you become actively involved in the sense of constantly asking
yourself questions such as ‘What is this all about?’, ‘Why is it done this way?’ and ‘Is this a significant or a
trivial point?’. Simply underlining key words in the text or jotting down thoughts and queries in the margin
can be valuable ways of increasing your concentration.
Another golden rule in studying is that a little and often is far better than a lot in one go. So do not try
to cram everything in just before taking a test. It is far better to spread your learning over the week. The

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‘cramming’ approach may just enable you to pass the test but you will find that the knowledge gained will
not stick and your ignorance will catch up on you later. Remember that if you pass the test without being
fully prepared for it you are cheating nobody but yourself—the tests are primarily for your benefit and to
tell you whether you have properly understood material on which you will subsequently be examined and
which is essential for the proper understanding of your engineering work.
It is very important to go through the worked examples in J - one often first understands a piece of bookwork
by seeing it in action in a particular instance. Try the Module exercises - unless you can do the exercises
you haven’t fully understood the bookwork! This is so important that it is worth repeating: TRY THE
EXERCISES BEFORE YOU LOOK AT THE WORKED SOLUTIONS. Even if you do not get very far
with some of them it will be of much greater benefit to you if you try them on your own first. This way you
can often isolate your difficulty and then, when you do see how something is done, it is much more likely to
stick. It is far too easy to read through a solution thinking you understand what is going on but then to find
that you are completely unable to do anything like it yourself subsequently. Finally, try the Specimen Test.

7. The testing sessions

For each mathematics period on your timetable your group has been allocated two rooms; a testing room
and a marking room—details are given on a separate sheet. When you feel competent in a Module, go to the
testing room and ask the course administrator for the appropriate test. Please do this as early as possible
in the period.
When you have collected the test sit down, write your name and department on the test sheet and answer the
questions by writing on the test sheet. Note that during the testing sessions you MAY consult the Formula
Sheet or the Engineering Data Book, depending on your department, but nothing else. The object of the
exercise is for you and your tutor to see what YOU know! The test should take approximately 25 minutes
to complete. If you get stuck with something in the test do not spend too long over it; attempt as much as
you can of the test and then take it to your tutor. In any case do not spend more than 35 minutes on a test
unless you are very near completion. Then bring it to the tutorial room for your tutor to mark.
In order to allow adequate time for tutorial discussion you should take your test sheet (completed or not) to
your tutor at least 15 minutes before the end of the session. If your tutor is very busy he may suggest that
you go to another tutor. It may happen that there is not sufficient time to mark all tests on that day, in
which case any remaining ones will probably be collected from you and it will be suggested that you come
back at the beginning of the next session. Some of you will have four Mathematics sessions marked on your
timetable. However, for the smooth running of the system (i.e. minimising queues) you should stick to one
of the testing sessions to which you have been allocated—although, of course, if you need help or are behind
you can attend any other available session allocated to your School. If you find queues occurring on a regular
basis, please consult with your Course Tutor (and then, if necessary, with the Administrator and Academic
Supervisor) and we will do our best to deal with the problem.
The test will be marked and discussed with you and you will be given a mark of 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, (4 indicates
almost all correct, 3 about 3/4 correct, 2 about 1/2 correct, 1 little correct and 0 almost nothing correct).
The main purpose of the test is to discover whether you have sufficient knowledge to proceed to the next
Module. The discussion with your course tutor provides you with an opportunity to obtain help with any
difficulties you may have. If you are given a mark of 0,1 or 2 (you have not passed) you will be asked
to return on a different occasion to take a parallel test. [A maximum of 2 attempts is allowed for each
module.] The course tutor may suggest additional material to prepare for this, or that you should attend
the Mathematics Workshop. If you are given a 3 or 4 (you have passed) then take the marked test back to
the course administrator who will give you the next Module. The marks awarded for each test (the higher
of the 2 marks if you retake a test) count towards your final coursework mark for the course.

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8. Tutorial help

(i) Quick queries Except when they are engaged in marking tests the course tutors will be available
during the tutorial/testing sessions in the tutorial room to help you with any points that cause you
difficulty. The most appropriate time is usually in the first 20 minutes of the session whilst most people
are still taking their tests.
(ii) All queries If your problems require lengthy discussions then you should attend the Workshop. This
Mathematics Workshop, runs throughout the teaching year in Room J of the Eustice Building (Build-
ing 5, across from the Library) from 1530 to 1830 each Monday and 1500 to 1800 each Wednesday. It is
staffed each afternoon by two tutors and a few copies of the course texts are available for consultation.
The Workshop is there principally to support this course but it can also be used by any other student
in the University with mathematical queries. The Workshop has proved an extremely useful facility for
first and second year engineering students. IF YOU EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTIES DURING THE
YEAR, OR YOUR MATHEMATICAL BACKGROUND IS WEAK OR RUSTY, THEN YOU ARE
STRONGLY ADVISED TO MAKE USE OF THE WORKSHOP. You can drop in at any time it is
open for five minutes with a quick query, or go along for the full three hours each session and work
through the week’s Module with help readily available when you get stuck. It is there to help you!

9. Progress through the Modules

You will be provided with a pink progress sheet which shows the order of the Modules and the schedule
dates by which you should have passed the test on each Module. Some of you will be able to proceed at
a faster rate. If you fall behind you will be sent a reminder letter, with a copy to your Engineering Tutor.
Results over a number of years show that students who do not keep up to date have a much
higher chance of failing at the end of the session. Some of you will be able to complete the Modules
at a faster rate. The progress sheet should be signed and dated when you have passed a test so that you
have a record of your progress. Passing the module tests also counts towards your Mathematics mark in
each semester (see section 10).

10. Assessment
The University operates a two-semester system. With the exception of the Computer Scientists and Civil &
Environmental Engineers, all Part I groups (whether lectured or self-paced) will have formal mathematics
examinations at the end of each semester. The Computer Scientists and Civil & Environmental Engineers,
however, only have a single mathematics examination at the end of semester 1. All examinations will be of two
hours duration on work covered in that semester only. Apart from MATH1012 (Civil & Environmental) all
examinations count for 80% of the mathematics assessment in that semester. The remaining 20% comes from
passing the end-of-module tests (during the self-study parts of the course) or from successfully completing
regular coursework (during the lectured parts). For MATH1012 70% of the assessment comes from the
examination, 10% from a Maple assignment and the final 20% from weekly assignment sheets. If you
fail a mathematics unit then, according to your school’s rules, you will normally be required to take in
August/September (or at the normal examining time in the following year) a referral/resit examination
paper for each mathematics unit that you failed, unless you have appropriate “compensation”.
The format of all examination papers will be similar: 20 compulsory short questions, similar in standard to
the early questions found in the Tests, and a section containing a choice from a set of longer questions. You
must be able to do the longer questions in the Modules to be able to cope with the longer questions in the
examinations.

11. Web
A web site for the units can be found at
http://www.maths.soton.ac.uk/teaching/units/ma160 177/
At this site you will find the Formula Sheet (for those of you taking MATH1013/1014/1017), the Course
Description (Module 0), a Summary sheet, the typed parts of Modules 1-25, lecture notes associated with

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modules 12-25 and Examination Papers and Solutions (from recent years). If you are using a University
workstation the modules and lectures should open automatically when you click on them. If you are using
a different computer then you need acroread which is freely available and can be downloaded from
http://www.adobe.com

12. Feedback
Please send any comments you have about the course (e.g typographical errors in the paperwork, topics
which you feel could be better explained) to the
Course Organiser (Dr Bernhard Koeck; Mathematics building, (i.e. building 54), room 8023; ext.25125;
email: B.Koeck@maths.soton.ac.uk).

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