This Course Guide has been taken from the most recent presentation of the course. It would be useful for reference purposes but please note that there may be updates for the following presentation.
MATH 1210SED
A Foundation in Pure Mathematics
Welcome to MATH 1210SED!
MATH 1210SED is one of the two mathematics foundation courses (along with MATH 1220SED) designed for students beginning their studies with HKMU. As such it is structured so as to help new students develop the learning skills required for the distance learner. Studying in this type of education environment is challenging; however, I and my team of tutors are here to help you meet this challenge. By working together I am confident that you will be able to successfully complete the course and that you will enjoy the mathematics covered in MATH 1210SED.
1.1 The purpose of this Course Guide
This booklet will help you become familiar with the overall shape and structure of MATH 1210SED. You will be introduced to how the course is run, the different components of the course, what you have to do to pass the course, and what resources and help are available. Your first task in this course is to read through this Course Guide very carefully.
1.2 Course aims
This course aims to:
1.3 Learning outcomes
When you have successfully completed this course, you should be able to:
When studying any subject, there will always be some ideas and skills that the authors will assume that you have. For example, in a mathematics course the most obvious skills to be assumed relate to basic arithmetic like addition and division. For MATH 1210SED,the assumption is that you will have already experienced mathematics at school up to about HKCEE Form 5 or HKDSE Secondary 6 level.
It may have been some time since you used these skills and so we have provided you with some material to help you check on your level of understanding of these topics and to give you some practice to help you refresh your memory. In addition, we have provided some revision material to help you with any topics that you have forgotten, or perhaps you did not study at school.
2.1 Diagnostic Quiz
In this first package of course material you will find a booklet — Diagnostic Quiz. This contains a range of basic mathematics questions covering the kinds of topics assumed when writing the course material. You are strongly advised to work your way through all of these questions at the start of the course. Solutions are provided for you to check your answers.
If you come across a question that you find particularly difficult, then
Note that you are not required to submit your answers to this quiz.
2.2 Preparatory Unit
This booklet introduces some basic strategies for studying MATH 1210SED and a review of some of the mathematics covered in the Diagnostic Quiz. You may find this section particularly useful if you have any problem with specific questions in the Quiz.
It is important to make sure that you are properly equipped for the challenges that lie ahead. Time and effort spent in preparing yourself at the start of the course will speed up your progress through the more difficult parts of the course.
Even if you already have experience with HKMU courses, you may find that the approach adopted for this course is different because the Online Learning Environment (OLE) is given as a study and support tool.
It is therefore very important that you set aside time to work carefully through the Preparatory Unit. This will ensure that you have opportunities to identify your own readiness for study.
2.3 Calculator
You will need a calculator for this course. You should buy a calculator that has been approved for use in the examination. The list of approved calculators is available on the OLE — the University has strict rules about which type of calculators are permitted in the examination.
2.4 Computer
You will need access to a computer throughout the course. Further details of the hardware and software requirements can be found in the following link: https://itresources.hkmu.edu.hk/hkmu/content.php?pid=03_ole
If you have problems accessing a computer, you can come to one of the University's PC labs.
3.1 The study units
The study units are the core course materials. They are grouped into five blocks. You are expected to complete one unit over a two week period including the associated assessment questions. You should refer to the Course Schedule on the OLE for details as to when each unit is to be studied.
Each block is accompanied by a Problem Booklet for extra practice. The blocks are:
Block I - Foundations in discrete mathematics
Unit 1 Sets
Unit 2 Logic
Unit 3 Relations
Block II - Functions
Unit 1 Introduction to functions
Unit 2 Properties of functions
Block III - Proofs and combinatorics
Unit 1 Proofs
Unit 2 Counting
Unit 3 Binomial expansions
Block IV Recursion and iteration
Unit 1 Mathematical representations of recurrence relations
Unit 2 Solving recurrence relations by arithmetic and geometric progression
Unit 3 Non-homogeneous linear recurrence relations with constant coefficient
Block V Algebraic structure
Unit 1 Matrices
Unit 2 Complex numbers
All study units will be posted into the OLE.
3.2 Working through the study units
Each unit contains guidelines indicating what items you need to study the unit. Objectives at the beginning of each topic set out in detail what you should be able to do after completing it.
When studying a unit, you should remember to work through each exercise and problem within the unit, as well as those in the textbook as indicated in the unit. It is important to try your very best to solve problems on your own before looking at the solutions; don't just turn to the solution as the easy way out. On the other hand, don't ignore the solution — do use it if you are stuck, and read through the solution to compare it with your own.
In the units you will come across examples, exercises and activities. At the end of your study of a unit, you should complete the corresponding assignment questions. Although it will be tempting to refer to the units while you do so, we think that you will gain more by trying to get as far as possible at your first attempt with any help other than referring to the handbook. You can, of course, refer back to the unit before you finalise your answers.
3.3 Other materials
3.3.1 MATH 1210SED Handbook
Please read carefully the handbook regulation of this presentation as given below:
| You will not be allowed to bring MATH 1210SED Course Handbook to the exam. Another copy of MATH 1210SED Handbook will be given to you together with the exam paper. |
3.3.2 Course Schedule
This sets out an overall timetable for the study weeks for each unit as well as when each assignment should be completed. It is available on the OLE.
Experience shows that spreading your study evenly over the presentation is very important. The submission dates of the assignments are designed to help you to do this. You are expected to have completed your study of the unit in time to be able to complete the assignment questions so that you can submit them before the associated due date.
3.3.3 Problem Booklet
Each block includes one of these booklets. Each one provides extra exercises that you can work through to help reinforce your understanding of the material. The Problem Booklet is divided into sections to match those in the units. You can pause your study at any point to work through relevant exercises.
You are not required to attempt every exercise in these booklets — only enough to give you confidence that you understand the associated technique/topic in the unit. You will also find these booklets a useful source of revision exercises for the examination.
3.3.4 Stop Press
These act as a sort of course newsletter containing useful information or errata. They will be made available only through the OLE.
Your mastery of the materials in the course will be tested at regular intervals through assignments. Your marks for these and for your final examination will be used to determine your final grade.
4.1 Assessment
The course assessment contains two components: (1) continuous assessment and (2) examination.
1 Continuous assessment (30%)
2 Examination (70%)
There is a two-hour examination at the end of the course — this is based upon the whole course. A specimen examination paper with solutions will be provided and they are available on the OLE. You should work through this paper carefully some time before the examination.
|
| Number of assessments |
| Weighting |
(1) | Continuous assessment |
|
|
|
| - Assignments | 3 | All are required | 30% |
(2) | Examination (2 hours) | 1 |
| 70% |
| Total |
|
| 100% |
You should refer to your Student Handbook for the method by which the University determines the final grade based on your continuous assessment score and examination mark.
4.1.1 Assignments
Your answer script to each assignment must be received by the University on/before the due date; e.g. if the due date is 15 September, then your solutions must be received before midnight (11:59 p.m.) of 15 September.
There is an assignment question for each study unit. It is important that you understand that assignments are not simply a form of 'test'. All assignments fulfil a number of objectives:
So, the assignments should be seen as an opportunity for both teaching and learning as well as for assessment. To maximise the benefits you need to start work on the assignment as early as possible so that you can ask for help if needed, and to work through the tutor's comments to correct any errors asking for further help if needed.
A common request from students is for model answers to be provided for all assessment questions. Experience shows that simply reading a model answer does not always help a student understand the cause of any errors. Attempting a similar question often results in the same error being repeated. It is only when a student discovers how to correct the error and then complete the solution that the student fully understands a technique.
All assignments must be submitted directly to your own tutor. There are two ways that you can do this:
Whichever method you use for submission your tutor will provide feedback on the script. The marks awarded will be entered into your account in the MATH 1210SED OLE together with any general comments. You will be able to view these as soon as your tutor has completed this entry. Again, refer to the OLE User Guide for instructions.
4.1.2 Regulation for late submission application
You should always try to get your assignments to your tutor by the due date. This is to ensure that you keep to the schedule and that you are ready to start the next block on time. When unusual circumstances arise that prevent you from submitting on time, the University allows you to apply through the OLE for permission to submit your solutions late, except for the last assignment. To whom you apply to for permission depends on the amount of time that you require:
The OLE system presents you with these three options and will automatically forward your application to the appropriate individual for consideration. You will need to check with your account in the OLE for the decision. Note that requesting an extension is meant to be an exception — any delay for one assignment will make it harder for you to meet the due date for the following assignments. In some circumstances, it may be better to omit one or two of the questions in an assignment so as to submit on time rather than make it harder for later assignments. In addition, this course consists of four assignments. They are all required to the course. All assignment marks will count towards your final grade.
4.1.3 Determining your overall continuous assessment score (OCAS)
Continuous assessment component: Each assignment will contribute 33.33% towards your overall continuous assessment score (OCAS).
| Number of assignments | OCAS weighting | Course area covered | |
| Assignments | 3 | 100% | Each assignment covers 4–5 units |
| Total | 100% |
The combined marks from assignments contribute 30% of your overall score for the course.
5.1 Tutorials
These are face-to-face sessions run by the tutor. The main idea behind these sessions is to provide you with an opportunity to have any difficulties addressed by the tutor. This assumes that you will be working on the units according to the Course Schedule. Details of when and where the tutorials will be held are available in the Course Schedule on the OLE. Attendance at tutorials is optional although you are encouraged to attend.
The Course Schedule indicates which parts of the course are covered by each tutorial. To help your tutor design each session so that it meets your needs, it would be helpful if you could inform him/her in advance about any specific topics that you would like covered. There will always be a tutorial scheduled before each assignment.
5.2 Surgeries
Surgeries are different from tutorials, in that they are designed to offer a more personal level of consultation. A tutor will chair each surgery session. You will prepare and bring along your own individual study problems. Hopefully, you can then discuss these with the tutor and gain an insight into the problems or figure out an appropriate direction from which to tackle them.
Some tutors in charge might speak to the whole group so that the problem and solution of one student can benefit others. It may happen that the problem being discussed is the same one you have!
In tutorials and surgeries, you will certainly have plenty of opportunity to get help from your tutor if you have any problems studying MATH 1210SED. But students learning at a distance like you often need help at other times. There are a number of other ways for you to get the help you need to succeed in this course, no matter what point of the course you are at.
5.3 Your tutor
Your tutor is there to help you understand the ideas in the course. One of the best ways for him/her to do this is through comments on your assignments. When your tutor returns your assignment scripts to you after marking, you should always go through them and take note of the comments your tutor has written. This advice will help you avoid similar errors in later assignments and in the examination. Also, of course, you should try to attend tutorials because there you will have the opportunity to talk to your tutor directly and, just as important, to talk to other students.
Tutors are also available for you to telephone for help or advice. Contact details for your tutor will be sent to you at the start of the course. Your tutor should also let you know what hours he/she is available for telephone tutoring.
Email is another popular form of communication between tutor and student. Email allows you to attach a file containing a written description of your problem. This overcomes the problem that often arises in telephone contact — expressing a mathematical problem clearly.
5.4 The Online Learning Environment
The University provides the Online Learning Environment (OLE) for all courses. This provides a variety of features to support the presentation of a course:
Discussion board. It is shared by all students and tutors on the course. Problems can be posted for anyone to offer help. In the past this has possibly been the most popular way of getting help. Often you can find that the answer to your own problem has already been supplied to another student with a similar problem.
The OLE should become a regular part of your study habits. Check the site regularly for updates or news as well as useful and interesting posting on the discussion board. If you are a new student, you will get a copy of the OLE User Guide, which explains how to use the system. You can also refer to the online OLE User Guide at http://ole.hkmu.edu.hk/help.html.
5.5 Your course coordinator (CC)
You will find an introduction to your Course Coordinator on the OLE, which will include his/her contact details. Whilst your tutor should always be your first point of contact when seeking help, the CC is always available to provide additional assistance when needed.
