Module FOUN0507: NUMERICAL SKILLS FOR SCIENTISTS

Department: Foundation Year [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

FOUN0507: NUMERICAL SKILLS FOR SCIENTISTS

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• Numerical Skills and Research Methods for Social Scientists (FOUN0321).

Aims

• To introduce and develop a bank of mathematical skills, which students can apply in a range of scientific contexts.
• To develop students' learning skills.
• To develop a problem solving approach.
• To encourage students to develop confidence in their own abilities in maths.

Content

• Number: Arithmetic (+,-,x,/) directed whole numbers, fractions and decimals.
• Efficient accurate use of a calculator.
• Ratio, proportion (direct and inverse and using graphs).
• Percentages.
• Estimation, approximation and accuracy.
• Index notation (integer indices).
• vx and x??, surds and rational indices.
• Standard Index notation (a x 10m).
• Introduction to logarithms.
• Calculations using scientific formulae.
• Algebra: Symbols.
• Algebraic formulae, evaluation of terms.
• Formulation and solution of algebraic equations in one unknown.
• Use of brackets, collecting terms etc, algebraic expansion, elementary factorisations.
• Simultaneous linear equations in two unknowns.
• Quadratic Equations.
• Functions as processes, concept of function, inverse function (simple cases).
• Graphs: Cartesian coordinates, linear graphs, the equation y=mx + c.
• Graphs from formulae, graph plotting, Rate of Change.
• Solving equations graphically.
• Exponential growth and decay.
• Mensuration: Measurement, length, area (triangles, quadrilaterals, circles), Volume.
• Angles, triangles, Pythagoras' theorem, Sine, Cosine and tangent for acute angles, Radians/degrees.
• Quadrilaterals, Symmetry, order of rotational symmetry.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the module the students will have acquired the skills to be able to:
• use a calculator appropriately in relation to problems faced.
• confidently manipulate items listed on the attached syllabus in a range of contexts.
• construct accurate graphs from data or calculation and analyse by interpolation or extrapolation and rate of change calculations.

• By the end of the module the students will:
• be able to communicate effectively in writing.
• be able to demonstrate problem solving skills.
• have improved their own learning and performance.
• be able to apply number both in the tackling of numerical problems and in the interpreting and presenting of data.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Theory, initial concepts and techniques will be introduced during lectures and seminars.
• Much of the learning, understanding and consolidation will take place through the use of structured exercise during seminar and tutorial sessions and students' own time.
• Manipulative skills and ability to recall, select and apply mathematics will be assessed by an end of module test and a portfolio of tasks including some short invigilated tests and solutions to questions set on a weekly basis.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Students will be given self-testing units on a weekly basis.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University