IA112-3-FY-CO:
Essential Mathematics
2026/27
Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science (School of)
Colchester Campus
Full Year
Foundation/Year Zero: Level 3
Current
Thursday 08 October 2026
Friday 02 July 2027
30
23 July 2026
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BSC N325 Actuarial Science (Including Foundation Year),
BSC G620 Computer Games (Including Foundation Year),
BSC G403 Computer Science (Including Foundation Year),
BENGH750 Computer Systems Engineering (Including Foundation Year),
BENGH61P Electronic Engineering (Including Foundation Year),
BSC G104 Mathematics (Including Foundation Year),
BENGHP41 Communications Engineering (Including Foundation Year),
BSC I1GF Data Science and Analytics (Including Foundation Year),
BENGH618 Robotic Engineering (Including Foundation Year),
BSC GH3P Computing and Electronics (Including Foundation Year),
BENGH733 Mechatronic Systems (Including Foundation Year),
BENGH172 Neural Engineering with Psychology (Including Foundation Year),
BSC I401 Artificial Intelligence (Including Foundation Year),
BSC I903 Cyber Security (including Foundation Year)
The module covers the mathematical skills needed to proceed to any degree course where knowledge of mathematics to A-level standard is required. The syllabus initially covers pre-algebra and pre-calculus, before expanding to cover topics in calculus including differentiation and integration, sequences and series, vectors and mechanics.
The module will be delivered via a combination of lectures, classes and labs which are designed to offer significant hands on opportunities to develop mathematical and problem-solving skills.
The aims of this module are:
- To provide students, from a wide range of educational backgrounds, with a broad understanding of basic and essential mathematical skills.
- To demonstrate how Essential Mathematics knowledge can be applied in various practical applications.
- To develop the ability to acquire knowledge and skills from lectures, textbooks, class worksheets, and lab exercises, as well as from the application of theory to a range of problems where appropriate.
- To enable students to develop their problem-solving skills by using relevant and appropriate mathematical techniques.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Have the ability to write cohesive mathematical arguments.
- Understand and use standard mathematical notations and algebraic manipulation of simple functions.
- Have an understanding of fundamental topics from calculus including differentiation, integration, and their applications.
- Have a conceptual understanding of topics in Newtonian mechanics.
Indicative Syllabus
- Pre-algebra and pre-calculus: Polynomials, algebraic manipulation, inequalities, trigonometry, logarithms and exponentials.
- Calculus: differentiation and integration of basic function, applications of differentiation and integration.
- Sequences and series: arithmetic and geometric progressions and their convergence.
- Mechanics: Vectors, Kinematics, Newton’s laws of motion, and force diagrams.
This module will be delivered via:
- 1 x 1-hour lecture per week
- 1 x 2-hour class per week
- 1 x 1-hour lab session per week
All lecture notes, classwork exercises and Lab exercises are placed on Moodle prior to the teaching events for easy students’ access. Lecture notes will be available in PowerPoint format. Lectures and class activities are also available on Listen Again website (see the module guide on Moodle).
Teaching and learning on Foundation modules offers students the ability to develop the foundation knowledge, skills, and competences to study at undergraduate level, through a curriculum that is purposely designed to provide an exceptional learning experience. All teaching, learning and assessment materials will be available via Moodle in a consistent and user-friendly manner.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
IA112 In-person, Open Book (restricted) Test 1 - Fri 21/11/25 09:00 |
|
50% |
| Coursework |
IA112 In-person, Open Book (restricted) Test 2 - Fri 27/02/2026 09:00 |
|
50% |
| Exam |
Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 150 minutes during Summer (Main Period)
|
| Exam |
Reassessment Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 150 minutes during September (Reassessment Period)
|
Additional coursework information
Formative assessment
Students engage in class activities, and lab exercises using NUMBAS, throughout the year. Students get feedback in all class and lab sessions, as well as via emails, and one to one meetings where necessary.
Summative assessment
In-person, open book (restricted) test 1 (30%) 1.5 hours - This will be given in week 8 and will cover only topics taught in the first 6 weeks of term 1 (weeks 2-7).
In-person, open book (restricted) test 2 (30%) 2 hours – This is a comprehensive test and will be given in week 22. The test will cover all topics relating to learning outcomes 1-5.
In-person, open book (restricted) 2.5 hrs exam (40%) - the exam covers all topics as specified in the learning outcomes; examples are calculus, the essential part of these topics such as equations, graphs, logarithms, the application of calculus, inequalities, simultaneous equations.
Reassessment strategy
Failed exam - Resit the exam which is re-aggregated with existing coursework mark to create a new module mark.
Failed coursework - Resit the exam which counts as coursework and is then re-aggregated with the existing exam mark to create a new module mark.
Failed exam and coursework - Resit the exam which will count as 100% exam mark. The exam will cover all the learning outcomes.
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Sema Gunturkun, email: s.gunturkun@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Sema Gunturkun, Dr Joe Bailey, Dr Jess Claridge
maths@essex.ac.uk
No
No
No
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
Of 157.5 hours, 147 (93.3%) hours available to students:
6 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
4.5 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
* Please note: due to differing publication schedules, items marked with an asterisk (*) base their information upon the previous academic year.
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