MA125-4-SP-CO:
Mathematical Skills
2021/22
Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science (School of)
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
Monday 17 January 2022
Friday 25 March 2022
15
12 May 2021
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BSC G100 Mathematics,
BSC G102 Mathematics (Including Year Abroad),
BSC G103 Mathematics (Including Placement Year),
BSC G104 Mathematics (Including Foundation Year),
MMATG198 Mathematics,
MSCIG199 Mathematics and Data Science
This is a problem based module that will reinforce and introduce the techniques involved in a variety of problem-solving situations across mathematics, including calculus, algebra, combinatorics, geometry and mechanics. For students outside of the Department, an appropriate A level in Mathematics (or equivalent) is required for this module. If you are unsure if you meet this criteria please contact mathsug@essex.ac.uk before attempting to enrol.
Each week students will bring to bear their mathematical skills and develop them further in order to solve a number of problems that are varied in nature and difficulty. Moreover students will learn to write mathematical arguments that explain why their calculations allow the question to be fully answered. Some historical background to the mathematics will feature in discussion of the problems and their solutions.
On completion of the module students will:
1. be adept at solving general mathematical problems that arise in which the student does not know in advance what specific mathematical skills are needed;
2. be able to justify through mathematical argument how a given mathematical calculation leads to solution of a problem;
3. become sure-footed in the use of algebraic techniques that arise throughout mathematics.
Syllabus - Topics that will be featured in the problem sets include:
1. Solutions of equations (including use of complex numbers)
2. Familiarity and exploitation of the properties of trigonometric and other transcendental functions
3. Kinematics and problems involving vector quanitites
4. Euclidean geometry
5. Theory of algebraic equations, including full solution of the cubic
6. Elementary number theory including solution of linear congruences
Teaching will be delivered in a way that blends face-to-face classes, for those students that can be present on campus, with a range of online lectures, teaching, learning and collaborative support.
The emphasis throughout will be on the student tackling a large number of varied problems.
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 |
Assignment 1 |
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| Coursework |
Assignment 2 |
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| Coursework |
Assignment 3 |
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| Coursework |
Assignment 4 |
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| Coursework |
Assignment 5 |
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| Exam |
Main exam: 150 minutes during Summer (Main Period)
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Additional coursework information
There will be five fortnightly summative homeworks counting for 10% each.
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
Prof Peter Higgins, email: peteh@essex.ac.uk.
Professor Peter Higgins
peteh@essex.ac.uk
Yes
Yes
No
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
Of 797 hours, 20 (2.5%) hours available to students:
777 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
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