Unit information: Introductory Foundations of Mathematics in 2021/22

Unit name	Introductory Foundations of Mathematics
Unit code	AFAC10015
Credit points	20
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Williams
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	Students should hold appropriate qualifications in Mathematics at equivalent of QCA level 2, or demonstrate equivalent ability by taking a diagnostic test during the admissions process for the Foundation in Arts and Social Sciences.
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Arts Faculty Office
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

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 the Foundation in Arts and Social Sciences for progression into degrees in the Schools of Economics and Finance and Accounting. It is suitable for students who have not taken any mathematics qualifications beyond the equivalent of QCA level 2.

Assessment for learning/Formative Assessment

Weekly problem sheets with feedback provided in tutorials [ILOs 1-5]

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Analyse and work with a variety of mathematical forms and functions.
2. Have an appreciation of the key financial concept of time value of money
3. Demonstrate an ability to express real world problems in a mathematical form
4. Use logarithms to solve exponential equations
5. Demonstrate competence in differentiating a variety of functions with respect to one variable
6. Relate the concepts of calculus to real life applications such as economics
7. Solve unconstrained optimisation problems

Teaching Information

2 x 2 hr seminars per week

Assessment Information

Assignment 1 (12.5%) ILOs 1, 2, 3.

Assignment 2 (12.5%) ILOs 1, '3,' 4, 5, 6.

Assignment 3 (12.5%) ILOs 1, 3,' 5, 6, '7'.'

Assignment 4 (12.5%) ILOs 1, 3,' 5, 6, '7' Exam (50%) ILOs 1-7

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. AFAC10015).

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.