UnitLevel 9Postgraduate

MAT9004 Mathematical foundations for data science and AI

Faculty of Information Technology

MAT9004 Mathematical foundations for data science and AI is a level 9, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Information Technology, offered in 2025 in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton, Malaysia and Monash Online. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 8 units, leading on to 28 units in all.

Credit points
6
Offered in 2025
Semester 1, Semester 2
Clayton, Malaysia, Monash Online
Assessment
No exam
5 tasks
Workload
144 hours
per semester

This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.

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Requisites

Overview

Mathematical topics fundamental to computing and statistics including trees and other graphs, counting in combinatorics, principles of elementary probability theory, linear algebra, and fundamental concepts of calculus in one and several variables.

Offerings in 2025

Teaching periodCampusMode
First semesterClaytonFlexible
First semesterMalaysiaOn campus
Second semesterClaytonFlexible
Second semesterMalaysiaOn campus
Teaching period 1Monash OnlineMo
Teaching period 4Monash OnlineMo

Assessment

  • Continuous assessment
    40%
  • Scheduled final assessment (3 hours and 10 minutes)Threshold hurdle
    60%
  • Assignment 1
    30%
  • Assignment 2
    30%
  • Mathematical challenge
    40%

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

  1. 1

    Use trees and graphs to solve problems in computer science;

  2. 2

    Apply counting principles in combinatorics;

  3. 3

    Describe the principles of elementary probability theory, evaluate conditional probabilities and use Bayes' Theorem;

  4. 4

    Demonstrate basic knowledge and skills of linear algebra, including the manipulation of matrices, solution of linear systems, and evaluate and apply determinants;

  5. 5

    Explain fundamental concepts in calculus including basic differentiation and integration, and composite, inverse and parametric functions;

  6. 6

    Perform key skills in the calculus of functions of several variables including the calculation of partial derivatives, find tangent planes and identify stationary points, root findings and convexity for optimisation.

Workload and teaching

  • Seminars36 hours
  • Workshops12 hours
  • Applied sessions16.5 hours
  • Teaching approachPeer assisted learning
  • Teaching approachProblem-based learning

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled online and face to face learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated reading and preparation for scheduled activities. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning and online engagement.

On-campus

On-campus and Monash Online

Learning resources

Recommended resources

This unit covers many standard mathematical skills, so you'll find many useful resources online.

We recommend the following sections of Strang's "Calculus"

Functions: 1.1, 1.2
Single variable calculus: 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 3.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.2, 6.4
Linear algebra: 11.2, 11.4, 11.5, 16.1
Multivariable calculus: 13.1, 13.2, 13.4
Probability: 8.4
Graphs and combinatorics: 16.3

Contacts

Unit Coordinators
Dr Sheila Ilangovan
Chief Examiners
Dr Gregory Markowsky

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for MAT9004?

MAT9004 has no prerequisites.

What can I take after MAT9004?

MAT9004 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 8 units, including FIT5047, FIT5197, FIT5201, FIT5215, FIT5226 and ITO5047. Those lead on to 28 units in all.

When is MAT9004 offered?

In 2025, MAT9004 runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton, Malaysia and Monash Online.

How much work is MAT9004?

The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.

Does MAT9004 have an exam?

No. MAT9004 has 5 assessment tasks and no exam.

More details

Credit points
6
Level
9
Study level
Postgraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Information Technology
Type
Coursework
EFTSL
0.125
Student contribution
SCA Band 1
Study abroad
Available