Syllabus

Title
5266 Mathematical Methods - Mathematics Essentials
Instructors
Dr. Andrea Wagner
Contact details
Type
PI
Weekly hours
2
Language of instruction
Englisch
Registration
02/15/21 to 03/03/21
Registration via LPIS
Notes to the course
Dates
Day Date Time Room
Monday 03/08/21 02:00 PM - 04:30 PM Online-Einheit
Thursday 03/11/21 03:00 PM - 05:00 PM Online-Einheit
Monday 03/15/21 02:00 PM - 04:30 PM Online-Einheit
Thursday 03/18/21 03:00 PM - 05:00 PM Online-Einheit
Monday 03/22/21 02:00 PM - 04:30 PM Online-Einheit
Thursday 03/25/21 03:00 PM - 05:00 PM Online-Einheit
Thursday 04/08/21 03:00 PM - 05:00 PM Online-Einheit
Monday 04/12/21 02:00 PM - 04:30 PM Online-Einheit
Thursday 04/15/21 03:00 PM - 05:00 PM Online-Einheit
Monday 04/19/21 02:00 PM - 04:30 PM Online-Einheit
Contents
The course covers the following topics:
  • Basic mathematical vocabulary: Definition, Theorem, Proof,...
  • Sums and Products
  • Sets
  • Logic
  • Techniques of proof
  • Functions
  • sup, inf, max, min
  • Sequences (convergence)
Learning outcomes

After completing this class the student will have the ability to:

  • Understand and use fundamental mathematical vocabulary.
  • Recognize and describe different proof techniques and apply them to simple problems.
  • Define and explain several mathematical concepts (e.g. function, sequences, convergence etc.) and give examples.
  • Analyse and structure (mathematical) problems.
  • Read and comprehend simple mathematical texts.
  • Present and communicate mathematical problems and their solutions.

Apart from that, the class will contribute to the ability to:

  • Participate in group discussions/team work.
Attendance requirements

Since this is a course with an immanent examination character (PI), attendance is mandatory. Students can miss two units without excuse, absenteeism in further units must be excused / justified by email. This applies regardless of the learning mode (presence mode or distance teaching via MS TEAMS).

Teaching/learning method(s)

The purpose of the class is to give an introduction to basic mathematical concepts and methods as a preparation for the mathematics lectures of the Master in Quantitative Finance curriculum.

The class is mainly taught as a combination of lectures and exercises with homework assignments. Students present their solutions which will be discussed in the group.

Assessment
  • midterm exam (45%)
  • final exam (45 %)
  • homework assignments and presentation (10%)

There will be no opportunity to retake the exams.

Detailed information will be provided in the first unit of the course.

 

 

Readings
1 Author: Kevin Houston
Title: How to think like a mathematician

Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Year: 2009
Type: Book
2 Author: Kevin Houston
Title:

Wie man mathematisch denkt


Publisher: Springer Spektrum
Year: 2011
Type: Book
3 Author: Daniel Velleman
Title: How to prove it

Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Year: 1998
Type: Book
4 Author: Knut Sydsæter, Peter Hammond
Title: Essential Mathematics for Economic Analysis

Publisher: Prentice Hall
Year: 2008
Type: Book
5 Author: Knut Sydsæter, Peter Hammond, Atle Seierstad, Arne Strøm
Title: Further Mathematics for Economic Analysis

Publisher: Prentice Hall
Year: 2008
Type: Book
Availability of lecturer(s)

andrea.wagner@wu.ac.at

Other
Course Readings:The material will be made available at Learn@WU.
Last edited: 2021-01-12



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