Unit name | Mathematics 1ES |
---|---|
Unit code | MATH10500 |
Credit points | 40 |
Level of study | C/4 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
Unit director | Dr. Chenchiah |
Open unit status | Open |
Pre-requisites |
GCSE in Mathematics at Grade C or equivalent. |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | School of Mathematics |
Faculty | Faculty of Science |
This unit provides a first course in calculus, algebra and statistics. It is designed to be suitable for first year science students with only GCSE mathematics but is available to other students with an appropriate background. This differs from MATH10600, Mathematics 1EM by teaching statistics instead of vectors and matrices. There are regular tutorials, computational practicals and assignments.
Aims: To revise elementary mathematics in GCSE (bearing in mind the needs of students who have not studied mathematics for 2 years or more). To introduce basic algebra, trigonometry, calculus and statistics as useful tools for science students.
Relation to Other Units There is another unit for students without A level mathematics: Mathematics 1EM. It is identical to this unit for the first 17 weeks. From week 18 onwards, Mathematics 1EM has more mathematics while Mathematics 1ES has statistics (and a few lectures on mathematics).
The statistics element of this unit is available as a stand-alone 10cp unit, Elementary Statistics.
At the end of the unit students should be able to:
Transferable Skills:
Increased skills in handling mathematics and data of all kinds (numeracy skills).
Use of EXCEL for simple statistical work
3 lectures per week, with weekly tutorials in weeks 1 - 18. Marked work is returned to the students and difficulties explained in the tutorials. To assist students in evaluating their progress, short tests are held in weeks 5 and 9. In the last six weeks, on statistics, there are practical assignments and computing lab classes.
The assessment mark will be made up as follows:
In addition weekly work will be marked and the results will be passed on to the honours departments to review your progress. To assist students in evaluating their progress, short tests are held in weeks 5 and 9.
Assessment of Statistics Each week's assignment is to be handed in at the end of the lecture on the date specified when the assignment is set.
The statistics assessment as follows:
There may be good reasons, such as illness, for handing in work late or not attending the required practical classes: you must provide evidence, such as a doctor's note, in order for marks to be awarded in such cases.
Details of the Summer Examination Candidates in Maths 1ES examinations may use calculators of approved type (no graphics or symbolic algebra, non-programmable).
The final examination in May/June consists of 2 papers on algebra and calculus. There is no examination in statistics, which is assessed by coursework.
Paper 1 contributes 40% to your overall mark for the unit; paper 2 contributes 25% to your overall mark for the unit.
January examinations These Mid-sessional Examinations are right at the start of the second term. Your mark in the January examination for the unit will contribute 10% to the final assessment mark for the unit in June. It should also give you, and us, an indication of how well you are coping with the unit.
The January examination paper lasts one-and-a-half hours. Section A has 5 short questions, all of which should be answered; it carries 40% of the marks for this paper. Section B has 3 longer questions,of which you should do TWO. If you do more than two, your best two answers will be used for assessment. Section B carries 60% of the marks for this paper. Candidates may use calculators of approved type (no graphics or symbolic algebra, non-programmable).
September Examinations If you fail Mathematics 1ES in June, you may (depending on which Faculty you are in and how you have done in your other units) be allowed to resit it in September. The September examination papers have the same structure as in June, and there will also be a practical assessment in Statistics.
Recommended (but not required textbook):
You may also find the following books helpful:
Recommended (but not required) for statistics:
You might also find this useful: Bruce E. Trumbo, Learning Statistics with Real Data, Duxbury