In the modern world it is imperative for a mathematician to know how to program. This module will give students an introduction to general concepts of programming that should empower them through their degree and beyond.

This module will introduce Students to programming through Python. The module will also teach particularities of programming applied to mathematics through Sage; an open source mathematics package built on Python.

Prerequiste:  A pass in A-level Mathematics of at least grade A.

• Understand and be able to write in Python the following programming ideas: Conditional Statements; Flow Control; Data Structures; Recurrence, Basic ideas of Object Orientated Programming.
• Use the above and a Mathematics package (Sage) to tackle mathematical problems.
• Have a basic knowledge of LaTeX.
• Work in groups to tackle problems and convey solutions to those problems through presentation.

The module will be delivered over the Autumn and Spring semesters. The Autumn semester will be used to deliver most of the syllabus through contact time. In particular through lectures and labs sessions. Importantly, an emphasis will be given to labs where the students will be able to learn through doing. The Spring semester term will also have some contact time but the majority of delivery will be through self study and group work.

Autumn semester:

• Lectures: approximately 11 hours
• Lab Sessions: approximately 22 hours

Spring semester:

• Lectures: approximately 7 hours

The following skills will be practised and developed:

• Programming;
• Group Work;
• Research;
• Presentation

The module will be assessed in two parts. The first semester will make use of individual assessments (class exercise and course work) to assess the content delivered. The second part of the assessment will be through a group project done over the entire second semester. Students will be asked to build a program to solve/illustrate a particular mathematical problem (of the groups’ choosing). The assessment will be based on difficulty, output (program and written report) and on a final presentation. The students will be expected to work the equivalent of 5 credits for this part of the assessment.  The first two learning outcomes will be assessed with the first part of the assessment whilst all of them will be assessed with the second part.

• Basic programming
• Conditional statements
• Flow control
• Data structures
• Recurrence
• Basic Objects Orientated Programming
• Solving Algebraic equations using Sage
• Handling Series using Sage
• Drawing plots using Sage
• Symbolic calculus using Sage
• LaTeX
• Library Skills
• PDP
• Careers
• Enterprise

Please see Background Reading List for an indicative list.

The course is self contained but the following are recommended:

• A byte of Python
• Beginning Python: from Novice to Expert
• Learning Python
• Sage Beginner’s Guide
• Sage Documentation
• More Math Into LaTeX: A Guide for Documentation and Presentation