| Unit name | Extending Foundation Mathematics for STEM |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MATH10030 |
| Credit points | 40 |
| Level of study | C/4 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Butler |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Mathematics |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
Why is this unit important?
This Extending Foundation Mathematics for STEM unit will help you to develop the mathematical skills that you need to become a successful scientist, engineer or mathematician. The mathematical concepts and methods covered go beyond those required for entry to many undergraduate programmes, but coverage in your Foundation Year will give you a very advantageous head start.
Mathematics is often described as the language of science and engineering; it is the tool kit that you will use continuously to explain and define concepts and theories or to solve problems. You will learn not only about the mathematical methods themselves, but also develop the confidence to apply them.
How does this fit into your programme of study?
Your ability and confidence in mathematics will support your progress in the core Foundation Chemistry or Foundation Physics units. It is impossible to understand or explain many of the concepts and applications that you will cover in these units clearly and succinctly without using mathematics.
This Extending Foundation Mathematics for STEM unit will build on your existing knowledge and understanding of mathematics gained through your prior education. It will extend your understanding beyond the fundamental concepts and introduce you to more advanced concepts and methods usually associated with AS and A-level Mathematics qualifications.
You will need to pass the unit at the first attempt in order to progress to an undergraduate degree programme at the University of Bristol.
An overview of content
The unit will cover
How you will, personally, be different as a result of the unit
This unit will allow you to develop a thorough knowledge and understanding of some of the more advanced mathematical concepts and methods necessary for an undergraduate degree programme in science, engineering or mathematics. By exploring these more advanced concepts, you will appreciate the power of mathematics and how its use can simplify the solution of otherwise complicated problems in science and engineering.
Learning Outcomes
Learning by Knowing
Learning by Doing
Learning by Being
Each week, you will engage in two, two-hour seminars and one, one-hour tutorial. Each seminar will start with some lecture-style content to introduce the topic. That will then be followed by either a group workshop to work through problems collectively and receive feedback on your work, or a group discovery session to explore applications of the concepts. The tutorials provide an opportunity for you to receive feedback from your weekly problems sheets and seek individual help.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Each week, you will engage in two, two-hour seminars and one, one-hour tutorial. Each seminar will start with some lecture-style content to introduce the topic. That will then be followed by either a group workshop to work through problems collectively and receive feedback on your work, or a group discovery session to explore applications of the concepts. The tutorials provide an opportunity for you to receive feedback from your weekly problems sheets and seek individual help.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Coursework (20%), synoptic tests (30%)and an exam (50%).
When assessment does not go to plan:
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 (or, in certain scenarios, if you had failed the assessment), you will normally be required to complete it in the reassessment period. Please refer to your official results for the details of your reassessments. The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
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. MATH10030).
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 University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
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. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
