A Level Further Mathematics

Further Mathematics (AS and A Level)

FURTHER MATHEMATICS

AS and A Level (Edexcel)

Campus: Cheadle and Marple
(02.12.08)

Course overview

Further Maths is like Maths except that there is more of it and it is more challenging. AS students do 3 extra units and A Level students do an extra 6. Further pure and applied units extend mathematical methods learnt in AS and A level Maths. Pure Maths provides methods involving complex and matrix algebra, hyperbolic functions, proof, coordinate geometry and calculus which can be used to solve problems in other branches of Maths. Applied Maths is divided into Mechanics, Statistics and Decision Maths. Mechanics is about statics, stationary bodies and kinematics, the motion of objects, Statistics is about data analysis and interpretation and Decision Maths is about solving problems often in a business context.

AS Level (year one)

You will study three units in year one. This will include one pure unit, FP1, and two applied units, Mechanics M1 and Statistics S1. You will also study Decision D1 as your AS Maths applied option.

A Level (year two)

You will also study three units in year two. This will include two more pure units, FP2 and FP3, and one applied unit, Mechanics M2. You will also study Statistics S2 as your A level Maths applied option.

How you will learn

Lessons are usually teacher led and could involve investigation, discussion, group work and working on examples. You will use exercise booklets for each unit which is sometimes supplemented by extra worksheets. Scientific and graphical calculators are used extensively throughout the course.

How you will be assessed

You will sit the first applied unit, S1, exam in January and the second applied unit, M1, and thepureunit in June. All exams are 90 minutes.

In year 2 you will sit C3 and C4 (from A level Maths) in January and all the remaining units the following June. In addition to the external exams your progress will be monitored by internal tests throughout the year.

Special entry requirements

You need to have studied GCSE Maths at the higher tier and achieved at least a grade B.

What the students say

Further Maths is very useful for other subjects, especially Physics.Mark Pickering

Its a hard subject but the staff are really friendly and provide the resources and help to make it fun and easier.Scarlett Brannan

The group size is quite small so you can get to know your group better.Steven Lundie

You go at a quick pace so you do not get bored.

Alan Luo

Never a dull moment, stimulating and inspiring, friendly and helpful staff.Danielle Hayward

Maths is fun, fun, fun!Andrew Konarski

Interesting and involving discussions, a nurturing learning environment. David Birchett

Other useful information

Those doing AS level Further Maths will be exempt from the requirement that all students with a B grade at GCSE Maths will have to do Foundation of Advanced Maths.

Further Maths is very respected by universities at either AS or A level. It is a very useful course for those considering to do either Maths, Physics, Engineering or Computer Science at university and some universities lower their entry requirements for these courses for those studying Further Maths.