UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, JAMAICA

SYLLABUS OUTLINE
COLLEGE/FACULTY:

Science and Sport

SCHOOL/DEPT:

Mathematics and Statistics

COURSE OF STUDY:

BA in Architectural studies

YEAR/LEVEL:

MODULE TITLE:

Mathematics in Architecture

MODULE CODE:

MAT1003

DURATION:

72 Hours

CREDIT VALUE:

PREREQUISITES:

G.C.E (A Level)-Grade A,B &C

1.0

MODULE DESCRIPTION
This module lays the mathematical foundation for application in the field of architecture.
It is assumed that the students had already possessed the background knowledge of general
mathematics. Basic topics of algebra and trigonometry are included in the first part of the
course followed by coordinate geometry, conics, introduction to differential & integral
calculus and solid geometry.

2.0

MODULE OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of the module, students should be able to:
i. acquire the mathematical foundation necessary in the study of architecture.
ii. develop critical thinking, analytical, problem solving and reasoning skills from the

mathematical point of view.

iii. appreciate the wonderful world of geometry as applied to architecture.

3.0

MODULE CONTENT AND CONTEXT

UNIT 1.0 ALGEBRA

(6 hours)

Upon completion of the unit, students should be able to:

1.1

1.2

solve quadratic equation by:

1.1.1

factorization method.

1.1.2

completing the square method.

1.1.3

using the quadratic formula.

solve simultaneous equations:

1.2.1 two linear equation.
1.2.2 one linear and one quadratic.

1.3

solve inequalities involving one variable.

1.4

state:
1.4.1 Remainder theorem.
1.4.2 Factor theorem.

1.5

use factor theorem :

1.5.1 to factorize a polynomial of higher degrees.

1.5.2 to solve equations of higher degree.

Content

Quadratic equations.
Simultaneous equations.
Inequalities.
Remainder theorem.
Factor theorem.

UNIT 2.0 MATRICES

(6 hours)

Upon completion of the unit, students should be able to:

2.1

2.2

define:
2.1.1

matrix.

2.1.2

order of a matrix.

define determinants.

2.3

evaluate determinants of a 3x3 matrix.

2.4

define inverse of a 2x2 matrix.

2.5

state formula to find the inverse of 2x2 matrix.

2.6

model any one of the following methods to solve the real life situation
2.6.1 Cramers Rule.
2.6.2 Matrix Inversion.

Content

Matrix.
Determinants.
Cramers rule.

UNIT 3.0 TRIGONOMETRY

(6 hours)

Upon completion of the unit, students should be able to:

3.1

distinguish between radian measure and degree measure of angles:

3.2

establish the relation between radian measure and degree measure

3.3

state Pythagoras theorem.

3.4

state basic trigonometric functions.

3.5

calculate the unknown side/angle of a right triangle.

3.6

state/derive basic trigonometric identities.

3.7

simplify an expression involving trigonometric functions.

3.8

solve simple trigonometric equations.

3.9

state:
3.9.1

sine rule.

3.9.2

cosine rule.

3.10

calculate the unknown side/angle of triangles any type.

3.11

model trigonometry in practical problems.

Content

Radian measure.
Degree measure.
Pythagoras theorem.
Trigonometric functions.
Solution of trigonometric functions.
Sine rule.

Cosine rule.

UNIT 4.0 CO-ORDINATE GEOMETRY

(12 hours)

Upon completion of the unit, students should be able to:

4.1

locate a point in a Cartesian or rectangular coordinate system.

4.2

calculate the distance between two points.

4.3

derive a formula to find the midpoint of a straight line.

4.4

define the slope/gradient of a line.

4.5

state the formula to find the slope/gradient.

4.5

differentiate a parallel line from a perpendicular line.

4.6

distinguish straight lines in different forms.

4.7

locate the intersection of two straight lines.

4.8

calculate the distance to a point from a line and the distance between two straight lines.

4.9

divide a straight line in a given ratio.

4.10 locate the centroid of a triangle.

Content

Distance between points.

Midpoint formula.
Section formula.
Gradient.
Properties of parallel lines.
Properties of a perpendicular lines.
Centroid.

UNIT 5.0 CO-ORDINATE GEOMETRY II

(l2 hours)

Upon completion of the unit, students should be able to:

5.1

define a circle.

5.2

construct circle in a Cartesian coordinate system.

5.3

find the standard equation of a circle:

5.3.1

at the origin (0,0)

5.3.2

at point (h, k)

5.4

find the general equation of a circle given three points.

5.5

convert standard equation of a circle into general form and vice versa.

5.6

find the equation of:

5.6.1

tangent to a given point in a circle.

5.6.2

normal to a given point in a circle.

5.7

locate the intersection of a straight line and a circle.

5.8

define a parabola and its elements.

5.9

state the general equation of a parabola.

5.10 write the standard equation of a parabola whose vertex is:

5.10.1

at the origin.

5.10.2

at point (h, k).

5.11 convert he standard equation of a parabola into general form and vice versa.
5.12 define an ellipse and its elements.
5.13 write the standard equation of an ellipse whose center is:
5.13.1 at the origin.
5.13.2 at the point (h, k).
5.14 convert the general equation of an ellipse into standard from and vice-versa.
5.17 define a hyperbola and its elements.
5.18 write the standard equation of a hyperbola whose center is:
5.18.1

at the origin.

5.18.2

at the point (h,k).

5.19 transform the standard equation of a hyperbola into general form and vice-versa.
5.20 draw a hyperbola.
Content

Circles.
Parabola.
Hyperbola.

UNIT 6.0 SOLID GEOMETRY

(12 hours)

Upon completion of the unit, students should be able to:

6.1

calculate the area of following regular shapes:

6.1.1

square.

6.1.2

rectangle.

6.1.3

parallelogram.

6.1.4

trapezium.

6.1.5

circle.

6.1.6

sector.

6.2

State Heros formula

6.3

calculate area of a triangle using Heros formula.

6.4

calculate:
6.4.1 area of an ellipse.
6.4.2 area of a parabolic segment.

6.5

describe the golden proportion.

6.6

identify regular and irregular polygons.

6.7

calculate the volume of:

6.7.1

cube.

6.7.2

cylinder.

6.7.3

rectangular parallelepiped.

6.7.4

cone.

6.7.5

pyramid.

6.7.6

frustums.

6.7.7

sphere.

6.7.8

spherical segment.

6.7.9

prismatoid.

6.7.10 prism.
Content

Area.
Golden ratio.
Volume.

UNIT 7.0 INTRODUCTION TO CALCULUS

(12 hours)

Upon completion of the unit, students should be able to:

7.1

state the power formula of differentiation.

7.2

apply the power rule of differentiation.

7.3

state the product rule of differentiation.

7.4

apply the product rule of differentiation.

7.5

state the quotient rule of differentiation.

7.6

apply the quotient rule of differentiation.

7.7

define the stationary points/critical points of a function.

7.8

state the second derivative test.

7.9

locate maxima and minima of a curve.

7.10

n
write the formula to Integrate x where n 1 .

7.11

identify indefinite and definite integrals

7.12

model definite integral to evaluate :

7.12.1

area of irregular shapes.

7.12.2

first and second moments of area.

7.12.3

position of centroid of an area.

Content

4.0

Differentiation using power formula.

Product rule.
Quotient rule.
Stationary points.
Maxima and minima.
Basic integration.
Definite integral.

LEARNING AND TEACHING APPROACHES

This module comprises of lectures and tutorials.
Students will be given worksheets, which they are expected to attempt on their own. In
tutorials, worksheets will be discussed and solved. The students are expected to play an
active role in the learning process.

5.0

ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES

5.1

COURSE WORK:
Class Test 1

................. 15 %

Class Test 2

.................15%

Project

..20%

5.2 FINAL EXAMINATION:

6.0

.. 50%

BREAKDOWN OF HOURS
The instructional hours are broken down, as follows:
Didactic Instruction (Lecture)
26 Hours
Tutorial
23 Hours
Test 1
Test 2

1.5 Hours
1.5 Hours

Final Exam

7.0

2 Hours

TEXTBOOKS AND REFERENCES

Required textbooks: L Bostock and S Chandler, Mathematics; The core course for Alevel,
Stanley Thornes Ltd, London;
Recommended:
Mario Salvadori; Mathematics in Architecture, Prentice Hall, Inc., New
Jersey, 1968.
8.0
NAME OF SYLLABUS WRITER/DEVELOPER
8.1

DATE OF PRESENTATION OR REVISION

Reviewer: Olusegun Afis Ismail(June 2008)

8.2

NAME/S OF SYLLABUS REVIEWER/S

8.3

DATE OF REVISION

9.0

10.0

APPROVAL
9.1

PROGRAMME DIRECTOR (PD)

9.2

SIGNATURE OF PD

9.3

COLLEGE/FACULTY CURRICULUM COMMITTEE

9.4

SIGNATURE OF COMMITTEE CHAIR

ACCEPTANCE

BY

OFFICE

OF

CURRICULUM

DEVELOPMENT

&

EVALUATION (OCDE)

.
10.1

DATE OF ACCEPTANCE BY OCDE