MA210 Half Unit
Discrete Mathematics
This information is for the 2014/15 session.
Teacher responsible
Prof Jan van den Heuvel
Availability
This course is available on the BSc in Business Mathematics and Statistics, BSc in Mathematics and Economics, BSc in Mathematics with Economics and BSc in Statistics with Finance. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course is available with permission to General Course students.
Pre-requisites
MA103 Introduction to Abstract Mathematics, or an equivalent course giving a background in rigorous mathematics.
Course content
A second-level course covering some of the main concepts and techniques of discrete mathematics together with its applications. Topics covered: Counting: selections, inclusion-exclusion, partitions and permutations, generating functions, recurrence relations. Graph Theory: basic concepts (graph, adjacency matrix, etc), walks and cycles, trees and forests, colourings. Optional topics include coding theory, designs, and algorithms and their efficiency.
Teaching
20 hours of lectures and 9 hours of classes in the LT. 1 hour of lectures and 1 hour of classes in the ST.
Formative coursework
Written answers to set problems will be expected on a weekly basis.
Indicative reading
PJ Cameron, Combinatorics (CUP 1994); NL Biggs, Discrete Mathematics (OUP 2004)
Assessment
Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours) in the main exam period.
Key facts
Department: Mathematics
Total students 2013/14: 40
Average class size 2013/14: 14
Capped 2013/14: No
Lecture capture used 2013/14: No
Value: Half Unit
PDAM skills
- Self-management
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
- Application of numeracy skills
- Specialist skills
