KS5 COURSE OVERVIEW

HEAD OF DEPARTMENT: DR C WRIGHT

Course Content and Structure

It will be possible to study Mathematics for one year, leading to an AS Level qualification, or for two years leading to an A Level qualification.  The syllabus the Mathematics department uses is the MEI (Mathematics in Education and Industry) syllabus.

The AS course will consist of three modules, two of Pure Mathematics - largely a continuation of algebra, geometry and trigonometry covered in the GCSE (Higher Tier) syllabus - and one of Statistics. The Statistics work is similar to, and an extension of, the work done on data handling in the GCSE (Higher tier) syllabus.

The A2 course will consist also of three modules, two of Pure Mathematics and one of Mechanics.  Mechanics is the study of the forces which act on physical objects and the motion these forces produce.  This has links with Physics though it is by no means necessary to study Physics in order to make sense of the Mechanics modules.  Some modules in the second year may be taken in the January sitting alongside any resits.

The module tests are one hour and thirty minutes long and only one of the modules in each year will contain a coursework element.

Higher Education and Careers

To a large extent, a Mathematics qualification (AS or A2) has value in its own right, independently of particular advantage (indeed, sometimes essential) for anyone who wishes to pursue a career in a field related to banking, insurance, finance, etc.  In the field of science, a mathematics qualification fits well with other sciences, especially Physics, and the pairing of Mathematics with Physics is an attractive one for many future career directions, such as Engineering.  Those with good qualifications or degrees in Mathematics are sought after in Information Technology related careers

Entry requirements

The three modules in AS are slightly, but not significantly, less demanding than those in A2. .  In view of the fact that knowledge and understanding of the GCSE Higher Tier syllabus is presumed in the material of the course, it is recommended that students have a minimum of a Grade B at this tier in order to begin the AS level course. However, consideration will be given to students who have followed the Intermediate Tier at GCSE, provided they attain a good grade B.  These students will however be asked to follow the Foundation of Mathematics course and attend tutorials throughout the course of the year.

FURTHER MATHEMATICS

HEAD OF DEPARTMENT: DR C WRIGHT

Course Content and Structure (in addition to A Level Mathematics)

It will be possible to study Further Mathematics for one year, leading to an AS Level qualification, or for two years leading to an A Level qualification. The syllabus the Mathematics department uses is the MEI (Mathematics in Education and Industry) syllabus.

The AS course will consist of three modules, two Decision and Discrete Mathematics modules and one Pure Mathematics module.  Decision and Discrete Mathematics is changing real world problems to mathematical models which often arise from managing commercial and industrial concerns.  The models are then solved by applying algorithms and other methods, such as finding the shortest path between two places.

The A2 course will consist also of three modules, one of Pure Mathematics, one of Mechanics or Statistics and one Numerical Methods module. Numerical Methods is the branch of Pure Mathematics concerned with obtaining numerical solutions to equations.

The module tests are one hour and twenty minutes long and two of the modules in each year will contain a coursework element.

Students taking AS Further Mathematics alongside AS Mathematics will have achieved a full A Level in Mathematics at the end of Year 12.  tudents continuing with A2 Further Mathematics alongside A2 Mathematics will have achieved two A Levels, one in Mathematics and one in Further Mathematics.

Higher Education and Careers

This is a must course for anybody wishing to read Mathematics at university level, especially if considering applying for places at Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, Warwick etc.

Entry requirements

It is a requirement that students wishing to undertake this course have gained an A or A* grade at Higher level GCSE.