UMEP Maths question

[DBA-144]

Hi all,

Just have a question about UMEP maths. Sorry if this is in the wrong area.

Does anyone have a copy of the course outline or even a general sense of what we will be learning as part of the course?

Thanks.

[MB_]

Hi all,

Just have a question about UMEP maths. Sorry if this is in the wrong area.

Does anyone have a copy of the course outline or even a general sense of what we will be learning as part of the course?

Thanks.

Taken from here

Semester 1: MAST10018 Linear Algebra Extension Studies: The subject gives a solid grounding in one of the key areas of modern mathematics needed in science and technology. It develops the concepts of vectors, matrices and the methods of linear algebra. Students should develop the ability to use the methods of linear algebra and will develop a capacity to write mathematical proofs. The topics covered are systems of linear equations, matrices and determinants; vectors in real n-space, cross product, scalar triple product, lines and planes; vector spaces, linear independence, basis, dimension; linear transformations, eigenvalues, eigenvectors; inner products, least squares estimation, symmetric and orthogonal matrices.

Semester 2: MAST10019 Calculus Extension Studies This subject extends knowledge of calculus beyond the standard school curriculum. Students are introduced to hyperbolic functions and their inverses, the complex exponential and functions of two variables. Techniques of differentiation and integration will be extended to these cases.

Students will be exposed to several classes of differential equation models, both first and second order, used to describe various real world systems. The subject also introduces sequences and series including the concepts of convergence and divergence.

Calculus topics include: intuitive idea of limits and continuity of functions of one variable, sequences, series, hyperbolic functions and their inverses, level curves, partial derivatives, chain rules for partial derivatives, directional derivative, tangent planes and extrema for functions of two variables. Integration topics include: techniques of integration and double integrals. Ordinary differential equations topics include: first order (separable, linear via integrating factor), second order constant coefficient (general and particular solutions).

[DBA-144]

Taken from here

Semester 1: MAST10018 Linear Algebra Extension Studies: The subject gives a solid grounding in one of the key areas of modern mathematics needed in science and technology. It develops the concepts of vectors, matrices and the methods of linear algebra. Students should develop the ability to use the methods of linear algebra and will develop a capacity to write mathematical proofs. The topics covered are systems of linear equations, matrices and determinants; vectors in real n-space, cross product, scalar triple product, lines and planes; vector spaces, linear independence, basis, dimension; linear transformations, eigenvalues, eigenvectors; inner products, least squares estimation, symmetric and orthogonal matrices.

Semester 2: MAST10019 Calculus Extension Studies This subject extends knowledge of calculus beyond the standard school curriculum. Students are introduced to hyperbolic functions and their inverses, the complex exponential and functions of two variables. Techniques of differentiation and integration will be extended to these cases.

Students will be exposed to several classes of differential equation models, both first and second order, used to describe various real world systems. The subject also introduces sequences and series including the concepts of convergence and divergence.

Calculus topics include: intuitive idea of limits and continuity of functions of one variable, sequences, series, hyperbolic functions and their inverses, level curves, partial derivatives, chain rules for partial derivatives, directional derivative, tangent planes and extrema for functions of two variables. Integration topics include: techniques of integration and double integrals. Ordinary differential equations topics include: first order (separable, linear via integrating factor), second order constant coefficient (general and particular solutions).

So I assume from this that there is no official document that UoM releases? Also, would anyone happen to know if we are required to attend on campus tutorials or something, like for UMEP sciences?

Also, can one who has done this before please share their experiences?

[VanillaRice]

Also, would anyone happen to know if we are required to attend on campus tutorials or something, like for UMEP sciences?

Also, can one who has done this before please share their experiences?

Hey there,

I did UMEP Maths back in 2016. I've had a quick look at the website, and it seems my experience would still be similar to the current program. UMEP Maths is different to most of the other UMEP subjects in that you elect a school centre (preferably one that's close to you), and all your classes will be taken by a UMEP-trained teacher at that school. Each school centre will have different class times (after school, 2-3 hours over 1-2 classes per week). In my opinion, my UMEP Maths experience was probably closer to that of high school rather than university, where you would be taught content by the teacher, and then work through questions (structure would depend on the teacher's teaching style). You won't have many compulsory contact hours on the UniMelb campus (which is why I say UMEP Maths is different from the others), although you'll still have the same benefits as the other UMEP students (and UniMelb students in general), where you can join clubs, use the facilities, etc. The only time you'll have to be on campus is for the end of semester exam, although they do run events like a end-of-year celebration, and VCE revision sessions.

Hope that helps Let me know if you have any more questions.

[DBA-144]

Hey there,

I did UMEP Maths back in 2016. I've had a quick look at the website, and it seems my experience would still be similar to the current program. UMEP Maths is different to most of the other UMEP subjects in that you elect a school centre (preferably one that's close to you), and all your classes will be taken by a UMEP-trained teacher at that school. Each school centre will have different class times (after school, 2-3 hours over 1-2 classes per week). In my opinion, my UMEP Maths experience was probably closer to that of high school rather than university, where you would be taught content by the teacher, and then work through questions (structure would depend on the teacher's teaching style). You won't have many compulsory contact hours on the UniMelb campus (which is why I say UMEP Maths is different from the others), although you'll still have the same benefits as the other UMEP students (and UniMelb students in general), where you can join clubs, use the facilities, etc. The only time you'll have to be on campus is for the end of semester exam, although they do run events like a end-of-year celebration, and VCE revision sessions.

Hope that helps Let me know if you have any more questions.

Cool thanks for the info. Just some more questions if you dont mind.

1. How did you find the content, in terms of depth, and volume? Is it difficult topics that we learn, or is there some good overlap?
2. Did you find it helped with specialist?
3. What are the resources you get access to? I mean the on campus resources you referred to, as well as the helpmfrom teachers?

Can you also explain what your own journey was like, if you so feel comfortable doing that? Personally, did you find the content difficult and overwhelming?

Thanks.

[VanillaRice]

Cool thanks for the info. Just some more questions if you dont mind.

1. How did you find the content, in terms of depth, and volume? Is it difficult topics that we learn, or is there some good overlap?
2. Did you find it helped with specialist?
3. What are the resources you get access to? I mean the on campus resources you referred to, as well as the helpmfrom teachers?

Can you also explain what your own journey was like, if you so feel comfortable doing that? Personally, did you find the content difficult and overwhelming?

Thanks.

1+2) There are some common themes between UMEP Maths and Methods/Specialist, but the overlap is not as big and useful as the overlap between Methods and Specialist. For example, in second semester you'll be covering calculus, and will be learning about ways to evaluate integrals using new techniques (such as integration by parts) that aren't covered in VCE. In other words, you definitely will be delving deeper into some concepts that are covered in VCE, but I personally found that doing UMEP didn't have much direct benefit to my Spesh study, although you will gain a greater appreciation for what you are learning, and at a deeper level than your year 12 peers (if that's something you're interested in ).

In terms of volume, it's not uncommon for uni students to compare a semester's study at university to be equivalent to ~80% of a VCE 3/4 unit's worth of content. I'm not trying to scare you with this, but I guess I'm trying to set your expectations as to what you will be working with. That being said, it is manageable, and personally I completed UMEP on top of the 5 subjects I was studying in year 12. Honestly, this probably meant I didn't dedicate as much time to UMEP as I wanted, but I still ended up with a decent score. I would probably argue that for uni subjects in general (including UMEP), it's easier to score well than compared to VCE, since your final grade is your raw mark - not a scaled score like VCE study scores (where you are ranked against other students).

If you have the opportunity to do UMEP, I would definitely consider it, since it only counts towards a 5th/6th subject on your ATAR, the cost of a UMEP subject (depending on the school centre, which sometimes can be free!) is significantly less than if you studied the same subject at university, and you'll also be able to credit the unit if you end up attending uni (which can reduce your course load for first year, and could be beneficial in allowing you to better adjust to the uni life balance).

I would like to add onto a point I mentioned in my last post about the uni subject experience - uni maths units in general have lectures and tutorials (where you work on questions on whiteboards in groups) on campus. This is what I meant when I said UMEP Maths is different to other UMEP subjects (e.g. Biology, Chemistry), where you would actually be integrated in with the first year uni students and have classes with them. I guess one plus side of UMEP Maths is that you have your classes at a school near you, which would save on travel time to the Parkville campus.

3) The facilities I was referring to were more relating to the 'social' side of uni ahaha. For example, I believe you get (free? or at least cheaper) access to the swimming pool as a UniMelb student You'll also be able to loan books from the libraries, etc.

I feel like I've described my own experience scattered throughout my other answers, but I'm happy to answer any other questions

[DBA-144]

1+2) There are some common themes between UMEP Maths and Methods/Specialist, but the overlap is not as big and useful as the overlap between Methods and Specialist. For example, in second semester you'll be covering calculus, and will be learning about ways to evaluate integrals using new techniques (such as integration by parts) that aren't covered in VCE. In other words, you definitely will be delving deeper into some concepts that are covered in VCE, but I personally found that doing UMEP didn't have much direct benefit to my Spesh study, although you will gain a greater appreciation for what you are learning, and at a deeper level than your year 12 peers (if that's something you're interested in ).

In terms of volume, it's not uncommon for uni students to compare a semester's study at university to be equivalent to ~80% of a VCE 3/4 unit's worth of content. I'm not trying to scare you with this, but I guess I'm trying to set your expectations as to what you will be working with. That being said, it is manageable, and personally I completed UMEP on top of the 5 subjects I was studying in year 12. Honestly, this probably meant I didn't dedicate as much time to UMEP as I wanted, but I still ended up with a decent score. I would probably argue that for uni subjects in general (including UMEP), it's easier to score well than compared to VCE, since your final grade is your raw mark - not a scaled score like VCE study scores (where you are ranked against other students).

If you have the opportunity to do UMEP, I would definitely consider it, since it only counts towards a 5th/6th subject on your ATAR, the cost of a UMEP subject (depending on the school centre, which sometimes can be free!) is significantly less than if you studied the same subject at university, and you'll also be able to credit the unit if you end up attending uni (which can reduce your course load for first year, and could be beneficial in allowing you to better adjust to the uni life balance).

I would like to add onto a point I mentioned in my last post about the uni subject experience - uni maths units in general have lectures and tutorials (where you work on questions on whiteboards in groups) on campus. This is what I meant when I said UMEP Maths is different to other UMEP subjects (e.g. Biology, Chemistry), where you would actually be integrated in with the first year uni students and have classes with them. I guess one plus side of UMEP Maths is that you have your classes at a school near you, which would save on travel time to the Parkville campus.

3) The facilities I was referring to were more relating to the 'social' side of uni ahaha. For example, I believe you get (free? or at least cheaper) access to the swimming pool as a UniMelb student You'll also be able to loan books from the libraries, etc.

I feel like I've described my own experience scattered throughout my other answers, but I'm happy to answer any other questions

Thanks for the reply!

I feel like tetting access to the UoM pool probably wont be that helpful as I dont generally catch a train to have a swim and i dont believe that the social benefit would be all that great if I only rarely am on campus. I think the best benefit would probably be that early exposure to the uni life balance you talked about.

However, I have previously heard that the  workload of UMEP classes is less than that of VCE subjects?

Also, the content seems truly difficult, yet quite interesting; even though I have a general idea of what integration by parts is (pretty sure its formula is derived from the product rule use integration by recognition?), the rest of it seems really challenging. How did you combat this perceived difficulty and prevent the course from overwhelming you?

Furrthermore, did you find the course took away time from your other VCE subjects?

Thanks for sharing your experience. It really helps to know that there is someone who has already done UMEP and is willing to allay some of my concerns.

[VanillaRice]

However, I have previously heard that the  workload of UMEP classes is less than that of VCE subjects?

That's probably true in a sense - your assessments for UMEP Maths will be 3 (take-home) assignments spread throughout the semester, and an end of semester exam. During semester, you will have 2-3 contact hours per week. Compare this to having a Spesh class 3-4 times a week, with multiple SACs throughout the year. The real workload will really come down to how much work you put in at home, and this will depend on numerous factors including how you prioritise your VCE subjects over UMEP, whether you need to consult other (e.g. online) resources to help you understand something, if you have an assignment due that week, etc. I will add that (and you will be reminded this by the UMEP staff) that VCE should definitely be your priority no matter what.

Also, the content seems truly difficult, yet quite interesting; even though I have a general idea of what integration by parts is (pretty sure its formula is derived from the product rule use integration by recognition?), the rest of it seems really challenging. How did you combat this perceived difficulty and prevent the course from overwhelming you?

Probably one of the differences between high school and uni is that sometimes, you'll have to do some independent learning. For example, you might consult resources such as Paul's Online Notes if you're struggling to understand a concept in class. Talking through concepts and asking questions of your peers and teacher will also help. Also, in a similar vein to what I said above, VCE should be your priority - you can always drop out of UMEP if you find the workload is overwhelming, or if you get a low grade that you're not happy with in UMEP, that will have very little impact, since you can always repeat the same unit at UniMelb (if you end up studying there) or a similar unit at a different uni (which some students actually do, as it gives them a chance to score better in the unit).

Furrthermore, did you find the course took away time from your other VCE subjects?

I think the answer to this will have to be definitely, yes. You're adding additional study, and at a uni level as well. However, you are well supported and your teacher will be understanding