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MATH20260

Academic Year 2024/2025

The Mathematics of Google (MATH20260)

Subject:
Mathematics
College:
Science
School:
Mathematics & Statistics
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Vincent Astier
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The module is designed to provide an introduction to applied linear algebra with an emphasis on topics used in large data analysis, and in particualar in Google search engine.

The Google search engine has made accessing information easy and its speed and efficacy amazes people. This module explains how it works. An essential component is the ability to rank information according to its importance, and in Google, this relies on simple algebraic principles. The mathematical areas involved are linear algebra and matrix analysis.

The presentation will in part be based on the book by Amy Langville and Carl Meyer "Google's PageRank and Beyond: The Science of Search Engine Rankings" (Princeton University Press 2006)

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Ability to encode large amounts of information using matrices and then efficiently extracting important parts using linear algebra. Understanding stochastic matrices and how to apply their properties in ranking data.

Indicative Module Content:

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

70

Lectures

24

Online Learning

12

Total

106


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures,
Flipped classroom (some lecture hours might be transformed in Q&A sessions)
Online Tutorials,
Enquiry and Problem-Based Learning.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

A knowledge of basic linear algebra (covered in first level linear algebra modules) is needed.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Homework Assignments, every two weeks. Week 4, Week 6, Week 8, Week 10, Week 12 Graded No
30
No
Exam (In-person): Final, closed-book exam. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
70
No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Ms Ciara Murphy Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 15:00 - 15:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 16:00 - 16:50