APP MTH 4114 - Optimisation - Honours
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2025
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code APP MTH 4114 Course Optimisation - Honours Coordinating Unit Mathematical Sciences Term Semester 1 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 3 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Prerequisites MATHS 1012 Incompatible APP MTH 3014 Assumed Knowledge Basic computer programming skills such as would be obtained from ENG 1002, ENG 1003, COMP SCI 1012, COMP SCI 1101, MECH ENG 1100, MECH ENG 1102, MECH ENG 1103, MECH ENG 1104, MECH ENG 1105, C&ENVENG 1012 Restrictions Honours students only Assessment Ongoing assessment, exam Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Professor Lewis Mitchell
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
1. Understand the complexities of, and techniques for solving, nonlinear optimisation problems.
2. Apply suitable algorithms to one- or multi-dimensional optimisation problems.
3. Understand the theoretical framework underlying the techniques presented in class.
4. Implement computer code for the algorithms as studied in class and critically analyse and interpret the results.
5. Demonstrate skills in communicating mathematics orally and in writing.
6. Demonstrate the ability to work in a group applying the theory developed in this course.University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1,2,3,4 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
1,3,4,5,6 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
5,6 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
1,5,6 Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency
Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.
5,6 Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
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Learning Resources
Required Resources
Access to the intranet.Recommended Resources
Edwin K.P. Chong and Stanislaw H. Zak. An Introduction to Optimization. 3rd edition. John Wiley & Sons, 2008. doi: 10.1002/9781118033340Online Learning
All assignments, tutorials, handouts and solutions, where appropriate, will be made available on MyUni as the course progresses.Recordings of lectures will be available on MyUni following each lecture. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
The lecturer guides the students through the course material in short topic videos and a weekly in-person/online consultation session. Students are to engage with the material in these sessions and in private study. Interaction with the lecturer and discussion of any difficulties that arise during the course is encouraged. Students are expected to participate in all sessions and online. Frequent small homework assignments will promote staged active learning. Fortnightly assignments help students strengthen their understanding of the theory and their skills in applying it, and allow them to gauge their progress.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
Activity Quantity Workload Hours Videos 30-50 90 Homework TBD 16 Assignments 5 30 Tutorials 5 20 Total 156 Learning Activities Summary
- Single variable optimisation: Introduction, Dichotomous and Golden section searches, unbounded searches, Quadratic approximation, Newton's and secant methods
- Unconstrained multi-variable optimisation: introduction to unconstrained problems, Levenberg--Marquardt method, convexity, theorems for minimality and descent methods, Steepest descent on quadratics, Conjugate gradient method, Fletcher-Reeves algorithm
- Constrained convex optimisation: introduction to constrained optimisation, Linear constraints, Lagrange multipliers, KKT conditions, Generalisations of KKT conditions, orthogonal projection, Gradient Projection algorithm
- Non-convex optimisation: introduction to non-convex optimisation; methods from Genetic Algorithms, Simulated Annealing, Monte Carlo optimisation
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Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment task Task type Weighting Learning outcomes Examination Summative 40% All Online test Summative 20% All Assignments, regular homework Formative and summative 35% All Tutorial participation Formative 5% All Assessment Related Requirements
An aggregate score of at least 50% is required to pass the course.Assessment Detail
Assessment item Distributed Due date Weighting Assignment 1 Week 2 Week 3 5% Assignment 2 Week 4 Week 5 5% Assignment 3 Week 6 Week 7 5% Assignment 4 Week 9 Week 10 5% Assignment 5 Week 11 Week 13 5% Regular Homework ongoing ongoing 10% Submission
- All written assignments are to be either submitted to the designated hand in boxes within the School of Mathematical Sciences with a signed cover sheet attached, or submitted as pdf via MyUni.
- Late assignments will require a request prior to the due date, and a medical certificate or other documentation.
- Assignments normally have a one week turn-around time for feedback to students.
Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M11 (Honours Mark Scheme) Grade Grade reflects following criteria for allocation of grade Reported on Official Transcript Fail A mark between 1-49 F Third Class A mark between 50-59 3 Second Class Div B A mark between 60-69 2B Second Class Div A A mark between 70-79 2A First Class A mark between 80-100 1 Result Pending An interim result RP Continuing Continuing CN Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- International Student Support
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
- YouX Student Care - Advocacy, confidential counselling, welfare support and advice
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Elder Conservatorium of Music Noise Management Plan
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.
The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
