Unit information: Introductory Foundations of Mathematics in 2021/22

Unit name	Introductory Foundations of Mathematics
Unit code	MATH00002
Credit points	20
Level of study	QCA-3
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Jayne Stansfield
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	IELTS minimum 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5 in writing and 4.5 in all other components or equivalent Students should have the appropriate qualifications in Mathematics at the equivalent of QCA level 2
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Mathematics
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

This unit provides a first course in calculus to a level equivalent to QCA level 3. It will prepare students on foundation and preliminary year programmes for entry or progression into higher level qualifications in the physical, life and biomedical sciences or quantitative social sciences. It is suitable for students who have not taken any mathematics qualifications beyond the equivalent of QCA level 2.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of the unit students should be able to:

• perform basic algebraic manipulations
• sum arithmetic and geometric series
• solve linear, simultaneous linear, and quadratic equations
• use numerical methods to find areas under curves, etc.
• use trigonometry
• differentiate and integrate simple functions and know the physical meaning of the derivative and integral.

Teaching Information

The unit will be taught through a combination of

• synchronous online and, if subsequently possible, face-to-face lectures
• asynchronous online materials, including narrated presentations and worked examples
• guided asynchronous independent activities such as problem sheets and/or other exercises
• synchronous weekly group problem/example classes, workshops and/or tutorials
• synchronous weekly group tutorials
• synchronous weekly office hours

Assessment Information

Assessment for learning/Formative Assessment Weekly problem sheets with feedback provided in tutorials

Assessment of learning/Summative Learning Students will assessed by one written exam at the end of the unit (100%).

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. MATH00002).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.