Students

MATH7900 – Research Frontiers in Mathematics

2026 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Adam Sikora
adam.sikora@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to GradDipResFSE or GradCertResFSE
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit is designed to engage students with current research in Mathematics. It will introduce students to a number of the current open research questions across the range of the broad discipline. It is the first of a pair of such units, with the second appearing in the second year of the MRes program. This unit addresses research across the breadth of the discipline, while the second unit will focus on more particular issues related to the student's project area.

Activities may include such things as seminar attendance, directed reading of research papers, the discussion and critiquing of research topics and introduction to new practical techniques with preparatory reading, hands-on experience and a final report. Presentation of a seminar and a written report based on the topics examined are required for completion of this unit.

Learning in this unit enhances student understanding of global challenges identified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

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: Search for current literature in your field, and reference your findings appropriately.
  • ULO2: Typeset mathematics using LaTeX and BibTeX systems.
  • ULO3: Write academic mathematics in a clear and logical manner.
  • ULO4: Present research in your field so that non-experts can understand the work.
  • ULO5: Critically reflect on your current knowledge and transferability of these in relation to your career aspirations inside and/or outside academia

General Assessment Information

Requirements to Pass this Unit

Achieve a total mark equal to or greater than 50% across all assessments.

Attendance and participation

We strongly encourage all students to actively participate in all learning activities. Clearly attendance in Week 12 presentaion is base for Presentaion mark. 

Late Assessment Submission Penalty

As this is a small unit, you may discuss a potential extension with me; however, this must be done in advance. I reserve the right to apply the standard rules outlined below if we are unable to reach an agreement.

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark of the task) will be applied for each day a written report or presentation assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted.

The submission time for all uploaded assessments is 11:55 pm. A 1-hour grace period will be provided to students who experience a technical concern. For any late submission of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, assignments, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, please apply for Special Consideration: https://connect.mq.edu.au

 

Special Consideration

The Special Consideration Policy aims to support students who have been impacted by short-term circumstances or events that are serious, unavoidable and significantly disruptive, and which may affect their performance in assessment. If you experience circumstances or events that affect your ability to complete the assessments in this unit on time, please inform the convenor and submit a Special Consideration request through https://connect.mq.edu.au.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI assisted?
Mathematical Writing Exercise 30% No 20/03/2026 Individual No Open AI
Presentation 30% No 27/05/2026 Individual No Observed
Written Report 40% No 05/06/2026 Individual No Open AI

Mathematical Writing Exercise

Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 20/03/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Open

You will write solutions to exercises based on lecture material, including typesetting examples.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Search for current literature in your field, and reference your findings appropriately.
  • Typeset mathematics using LaTeX and BibTeX systems.
  • Write academic mathematics in a clear and logical manner.

Presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 27/05/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Observed

You will present research based on your directed reading.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Search for current literature in your field, and reference your findings appropriately.
  • Typeset mathematics using LaTeX and BibTeX systems.
  • Present research in your field so that non-experts can understand the work.
  • Critically reflect on your current knowledge and transferability of these in relation to your career aspirations inside and/or outside academia

Written Report

Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 05/06/2026
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Open

You will write a report in your chosen field, based on your directed reading.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Search for current literature in your field, and reference your findings appropriately.
  • Typeset mathematics using LaTeX and BibTeX systems.
  • Write academic mathematics in a clear and logical manner.
  • Critically reflect on your current knowledge and transferability of these in relation to your career aspirations inside and/or outside academia

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

Classes

Lectures (starting Week 1): There will be a one-hour lecture each week. Students must create an Overleaf account. Approximately 50% of the classes will be held on campus, with the remaining 50% conducted via Zoom.

Suggested Textbook

The following textbook serves as a supplementary resource, providing additional explanations and exercises. It is available in PDF format through the Macquarie University library:

  • Grätzer, George. More Math Into LaTeX (4th ed.). New York: Springer, 2007.

Communication

All course-related communication will be sent to your university email. Please check it regularly.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

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

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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 connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

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

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

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

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

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.

Unit information based on version 2026.02 of the Handbook