BI1MA3: Mathematics

Module code: BI1MA3

Module provider: School of Biological Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Professor Faustina Hwang, email: f.hwang@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Professor Ying Zheng, email: ying.zheng@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

In this module, you will develop the mathematical knowledge and skills that are fundamental to becoming a biomedical engineer. Topics include algebra, complex numbers, statistics, calculus, vectors, and matrices, and they are taught with engineering examples to help highlight how the topics are relevant for your degree. You will also learn MATLAB, powerful mathematical computing software that is used by professionals throughout the world. Lectures are interactive, and weekly tutorials provide an opportunity for you to practise problem-solving with support and feedback from peers and tutors, to help you master the material. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Analyse engineering problems using the techniques of algebra, complex numbers and sequences
2. Analyse engineering problems using the techniques of probability and statistics
3. Analyse engineering problems using the techniques of matrix algebra
4. Analyse engineering problems using the techniques of calculus

Module content

Algebra: Revision of basic algebra, trigonometric and other functions, partial fractions, series and sequences. 

Complex numbers:  Introduction to complex numbers and their applications in engineering. 

Calculus: principles, techniques and applications of differentiation and integration; solving first and second order differential equations 

Introduction to statistics: measures of central tendency, probability density functions, central limit theorem, confidence intervals, significance testing, correlation, regression, least squares, analysis of variance 

Vector and Matrix Algebra:  Matrices and their properties, manipulation and applications, involving determinants, inverses, Gaussian Elimination, eigenvalues and eigenvectors. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

2 lectures and 1-2 tutorials each week. During the tutorials, students are supported to work through problem sets and work with MATLAB, to develop their proficiency with the material and software. There are tests throughout the year for which feedback is provided to further support learning. 

Study hours

At least 40 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Students taking the BEng Biomedical Engineering programme must also achieve a mark of at least 30% in each assessment.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Formative feedback is provided through tutorials. 

Reassessment

Additional costs