Unit information: Introductory Foundations of Mathematics in 2018/19

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

36 x 1-hour lectures

12 x 1-hour tutorials

Assessment Information

Assessment for learning/Formative Assessment

Weekly problem sheets with feedback provided in tutorials

Assessment of learning/Summative Learning

2.5 hour written exam

Reading and References

Recommended Reading

Many textbooks cover the material taught in this unit, for example:

• Understanding Pure Mathematics, A.J. Sadler and D.W.S. Thorning (Oxford University Press 1995)

Further Reading

You may also find the following books helpful:

• Help yourself to algebra, Hugh Neill (Longman 1996)

• Mind the Gap, bridging the gap between GCSE and AS Maths, Roger Cahalin, Alessandra Desbottes & Suzanne Doyle (Coordination Group Publications 2002)