AS Mathematics

AS Mathematics
Level: AS/A2

Awarding Body: OXFORD & CAMBRIDGE SCHOOLS EXAMINING BOARD MEI STRUCTURED MATHEMATICS SCHEME

Course Content:
The course is suitable for a wide range of students, from those intending to study the subject at university, to those with an interest in A level Mathematics to complement their other subjects at A level or beyond.

The AS course studied will contain two modules of Pure Mathematics C1 and C2 and one module of Applied Mathematics which may be in Statistics or Mechanics.

In Pure Maths you will be studying topics such as:

Algebra

Co-ordinate Geometry

Trigonometry

Calculus

In Statistics you will be studying topics such as:

Probability

Sampling

Testing hypotheses

Correlation

In Decision & Discrete you will be studying topics such as:

Algorithms

Simulation

Critical Path Analysis

Linear Programming

In Mechanics you will be studying topics such as:

Vectors

Equations of constant acceleration

Newton's Laws of motion

Projectiles

Teaching Learning Methods:
Students will encounter a variety of approaches, including:

Teacher presentation of key material/examples

Taking notes

Problem solving

Discussions

Groupwork

Using software (Autograph, Cabri Geometer)

Using the interactive whiteboard

Going over homework

Topic tests

Revision

Workshops:

During the week there will be several workshop periods and attending at least one of these will be compulsory. Students use the workshops to get help with areas of maths that they have found difficult or to advance their knowledge in areas of interest.

Assessment:
All modules have a written exam that will last for one hour and thirty minutes. Your overall grade will be an average of the module marks.

Skills & Commitment:
Mathematics at AS level is an interesting but demanding subject. It is considerably more challenging and rigorous than GCSE, with students who studied the subject at intermediate level noticing the extreme differences straight away. A degree of maturity, independence and hard work is expected throughout the course. As a minimum, in any week students should spend five hours studying independently, as well as attending one compulsory workshop.

Cost:
Students are provided with all appropriate text books, additional materials and practice exam papers. We will expect students to buy their own graphical calculator. These are available through the College at cost price.

Progression:
If you have continued to the Mathematics AS level, a very wide selection of higher education courses are available to you. Mathematics AS or A2 level is a compulsory requirement to many degree courses and professions in the fields of accountancy, business, computing, economics, engineering and medicine.

Complimentary Subjects:
Mathematics AS level complements the study of many other subjects.