Students

MATH6904 – Mathematical Modelling

2026 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Christopher Gordon
chris.gordon@mq.edu.au
Frank Valckenborgh
frank.valckenborgh@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
MATH1010
Unit description Unit description

This unit introduces students to mathematical techniques from algebra and calculus, focusing on their modern applications in economics, business, and finance, and providing a solid foundation for further study. A key emphasis is on how mathematics models complex real-world problems. The algebra content includes linear systems, matrices, determinants, vector spaces, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors, applied to economic problems like Leontief input-output models and dynamical systems. The calculus content covers differentiation and integration techniques, with applications to constrained and unconstrained optimisation (including multivariable cases) and various approximation methods. These techniques are used to solve a wide range of economic and financial problems.

Learning in this unit enhances student understanding of global challenges identified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) Good Health and Well Being; Quality Education; Decent Work and Economic Growth; 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: Develop of a range of algebraic skills and proficiency in algebraic techniques applicable to economics, finance and statistics.
  • ULO2: Demonstrate knowledge of linear equations and linear models to solve problems in economics, finance and statistics.
  • ULO3: Apply a wide range of techniques and ideas from differential and integral calculus to the analyse business, economic and financial data.
  • ULO4: Investigate a range of optimisation problems using the techniques of calculus.
  • ULO5: Formulate models of a variety of real world situations using techniques from differential equations.

General Assessment Information

Requirements to Pass this Unit

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

Skills Exercises

The skills exercise will be handwritten solutions to questions during the SGTA in week 9 based on the lecture material from week 1 to week 7 (so SGTA material from weeks 2 to 8). The questions will be similar questions that are available in the online skills exercises available on iLearn. That is, the online skills questions provide the necessary practice to successfully complete the written questions in the SGTA of week 9. 

 

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.

Special consideration in this unit applies to:

  • Skills exercise;
  • Final Exam.

Special Consideration does not apply to the competency assurance assessment.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Final exam 50% No Exam Period Individual No Observed
Competency assurance 20% No Weekly (SGTA) Individual No Observed
Skills Exercise 30% No SGTA week 9 Individual No Observed

Final exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Exam Period
Weighting: 50%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Observed

You will undertake a final examination during the formal examination period.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop of a range of algebraic skills and proficiency in algebraic techniques applicable to economics, finance and statistics.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of linear equations and linear models to solve problems in economics, finance and statistics.
  • Apply a wide range of techniques and ideas from differential and integral calculus to the analyse business, economic and financial data.
  • Investigate a range of optimisation problems using the techniques of calculus.
  • Formulate models of a variety of real world situations using techniques from differential equations.

Competency assurance

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: Weekly (SGTA)
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Observed

You will demonstrate ongoing progress through regular completion of exercises that build and confirm competency in the core mathematical skills required for the unit.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop of a range of algebraic skills and proficiency in algebraic techniques applicable to economics, finance and statistics.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of linear equations and linear models to solve problems in economics, finance and statistics.
  • Investigate a range of optimisation problems using the techniques of calculus.

Skills Exercise

Assessment Type 1: Problem-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: SGTA week 9
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Observed

You will undertake exercises designed to develop and assess mathematical skills, reinforcing theoretical knowledge through consistent practice to promote mastery of essential concepts.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop of a range of algebraic skills and proficiency in algebraic techniques applicable to economics, finance and statistics.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of linear equations and linear models to solve problems in economics, finance and statistics.
  • Apply a wide range of techniques and ideas from differential and integral calculus to the analyse business, economic and financial data.
  • Investigate a range of optimisation problems using the techniques of calculus.
  • Formulate models of a variety of real world situations using techniques from differential equations.

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
  • Academic Success 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 (beginning in Week 1): There are two one-hour lectures each week.

SGTA classes (beginning in Week 2): There is one two-hour sgta each week.

Resources

Algebra

Calculus 

 

Methods of Communication

We will communicate with you via your university email or through announcements on iLearn. Please read these twice a week. Queries to convenors can either be placed on the iLearn discussion board or sent to your lecturers from your university email address.

Unit Schedule

Week Lecture 01 Lecture 02
1 Sets and Vectors Dot Product and Orthogonality
2 Matrix Operations Linear Systems and Gauss-Jordan Elimination
3 Gauss-Jordan Elimination and Consistency Homogeneous Equations
4 Determinants and Vector/Scalar Product Equations of Lines
5 Equations of Planes Functions and Trigonometry
6 Composite and Inverse Functions Monotonic and Exponential Functions
7 Limits and Continuity Limits and Continuity
8 Differentiation Differentiation
9 Differentiation Differentiation
10 Integration Integration
11 Integration Integration
12 Differential Equations Differential Equations
13 Revision Revision

 

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 https://students.mq.edu.au/support/technology/service-desk. 

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.

Changes from Previous Offering

The assessments are different from the 2026 session 1 offering. The final exam is still 50%, and invigilated. The skills exercises now has an assessment which is an invigilated task, completed by hand in the week 9 SGTA. And the assignment has been replaced with a weekly competency assurance where your best 10 of 12 attempts are taken to demonstrate competency with the relevant SGTA material for the week.

Unit information based on version 2026.03 of the Handbook