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MATH2907 – Discrete Mathematics II

2020 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, any references to assessment tasks and on-campus delivery may no longer be up-to-date on this page.

Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.

Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor/Lecturer
Ross Moore
12WW 734
please refer to iLearn
Lecturer
Steve Lack
12WW 730
please refer to iLearn
Frank Schoenig
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
MATH1007 or MATH1020 or MATH1025 or DMTH137 or MATH133 or MATH136
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
The purpose of this unit is to give a grounding in discrete mathematics. It is important preparation for both theoretical computing and abstract algebra. In particular, the unit: explores the concept of computability, and the measures of computational complexity and finite state machines; studies recurrence relations and generating functions; provides an introduction to matrices with applications to systems of linear equations and vectors; applies graph theory to a range of problems; and examines a variety of error-correcting and public-key cryptography codes.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Apply a broad range of standard mathematical techniques used in computer science.
  • ULO2: Implement geometrical transformations of objects in 2D and 3D space using techniques from linear algebra.
  • ULO3: Evaluate and create formal Finite State Machines and Turing machines that accept given formal languages or perform specific computations.
  • ULO4: Apply and analyse the mathematical tools to encrypt and decrypt messages, and to recognise and correct transmission errors.
  • ULO5: Understand the theoretical limitations of computing devices and the problems that can be solved by a computer.
  • ULO6: Communicate mathematical arguments incorporating deductive reasoning, particularly in areas concerning how computer programs work.

Assessment Tasks

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Assessment details are no longer provided here as a result of changes due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.

Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students

General Assessment Information

HURDLES: The online quizzes may be attempted as many times as necessary during the teaching period. There will be no additional make-up opportunity once the teaching period has finished. Students must complete and pass the online quizzes. This is a hurdle requirement.

ATTENDANCE and PARTICIPATION: Please contact the unit convenor as soon as possible if you have difficulty attending and participating in any classes. There may be alternatives available to make up the work. If there are circumstances that mean you will miss a class, you can apply for Special Consideration via ask.mq.edu.au

ASSESSMENT SUBMISSION: Non-timed assessments, such as assignments, will be submitted online through the iLearn page.

Submit assessments online via the appropriate link on the iLearn page. A personalised cover sheet is not required with online submissions. Read the submission statement carefully before accepting it as there are substantial penalties for making a false declaration.

  • Assignment submission is via iLearn. You should upload this as a single scanned PDF file.
  • Please note the quick guide on how to upload your assignments provided on the iLearn page.
  • Please make sure that each page in your uploaded assignment corresponds to only one A4 page (do not upload an A3 page worth of content as an A4 page in landscape). If you are using an app like Clear Scanner, please make sure that the photos you are using are clear and shadow-free.
  • It is your responsibility to make sure your assignment submission is legible.
  • If there are technical obstructions to your submitting online, please email us to let us know.

You may submit as often as required prior to the due date/time. Please note that each submission will completely replace any previous submissions. It is in your interests to make frequent submissions of your partially completed work as insurance against technical or other problems near the submission deadline.

LATE SUBMISSION OF WORK:  All assessment tasks must be submitted by the official due date and time. In the case of a late submission for a non-timed assessment (e.g. an assignment), if special consideration has NOT been granted, 20% of the earned mark will be deducted for each 24-hour period (or part thereof) that the submission is late for the first 2 days (including weekends and/or public holidays). For example, if an assignment is submitted 25 hours late, its mark will attract a penalty equal to 40% of the earned mark. After 2 days (including weekends and public holidays) a mark of 0% will be awarded. Timed assessment tasks (e.g. tests, examinations) do not fall under these rules.

FINAL EXAM POLICY: It is Macquarie University policy not to set early examinations for individuals or groups of students. All students are expected to ensure that they are available until the end of the teaching semester, that is, the final day of the official examination period. The only excuse for not sitting an examination at the designated time is because of documented illness or unavoidable disruption. In these special circumstances, you may apply for special consideration via ask.mq.edu.au.

If you receive special consideration for the final exam, a supplementary exam will be scheduled in the interval between the regular exam period and the start of the next session. By making a special consideration application for the final exam you are declaring yourself available for a resit during this supplementary examination period and will not be eligible for a second special consideration approval based on pre-existing commitments. Please ensure you are familiar with the policy prior to submitting an application.

You can check the supplementary exam information page on FSE101 in iLearn (bit.ly/FSESupp) for dates, and approved applicants will receive an individual notification one week prior to the exam with the exact date and time of their supplementary examination.

Delivery and Resources

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19.

Please check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status

Classes:

  • Lectures:  Students must register in and attend four one-hour lectures each week
  • SGTA classes:  Students must register in and attend one one-hour class per week

Unit Schedule

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

The unit schedule/topics and any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19. Please consult iLearn for latest details, and check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status

There follows an indicative timetable for the topics covered in this unit. 

Week Beginning L-strand: Algebra & Graph Theory M-strand: Languages & Machines Task due
1 24 Feb. Complex numbers Languages  
2 02 March Linear systems and matrices Introduction to finite-state machines (FSMs)  
3 09 March   Reduction of FSMs Q1
4 16 March   Non-deterministic finite-state acceptors (FSAs) Q2
5 23 March Counting, Inclusion-Exclusion FSAs and regular languages A1
6 30 March   Turing machines Q3
7 06 April Counting Techniques (cont') Generating functions Turing machines Q4
                                                          mid-semester break
8 27 April Recurrence relations Extended Turing machines FSA project, Q5
9 04 May   The Busy Beaver and Halting problems  
10 11 May Graph algorithms The Busy Beaver and Halting problems Q6
11 18 May   Integers mod m and cryptography A2
12 25 May   Polynomial codes  
13 01 June Revision (provided all topics have been completed) Q7

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.