AS Mathematics

This subject may be offered at more than one Southern Consortium school site. The teaching of this subject may be at any one of the sites listed below.

The information on this webpage is a guide only. Topics, units and course content may vary from those listed below.

AS Mathematics @ SRS

While studying Mathematics you will be expected to:

  • Use mathematical skills and knowledge to solve problems.
  • Solve quite complicated problems by using mathematical arguments and logic. You will also have to understand and demonstrate what is meant by proof in mathematics.
  • Simplify real life situations so that you can use mathematics to show what is happening and what might happen in different circumstances.
  • Use the mathematics that you learn to solve problems that are given to you in real life context.
  • Use calculator technology and other resources (such as formulae booklets or statistical tables) effectively and appropriately; understand its limitations and when it is appropriate to use such technology.

Higher Education courses or careers that either require A level Mathematics or are strongly related include:

  • Economics, Medicine, Architecture, Engineering, Accountancy, Teaching, Psychology.
  • Environmental Studies, Computing, Information Technology.

Course Structure

There are many modules to choose from but we choose the following:

AS Mathematics:

  • Core Mathematics 1
  • Core Mathematics 2
  • Statistics 1

A2 Mathematics:

  • Core Mathematics 3
  • Core Mathematics 4
  • Statistics 2

You must pass 3 of the modules to qualify for an AS award. An A2 pass will follow if all 6 modules are passed.

Modules can be taken in January of year 12 and of year 13.

What could I do at the end of my course?

AS Mathematics is very useful as a supporting subject to many courses at A level and degree level, especially in the sciences, geography, psychology, sociology and medical courses

 

AS Mathematics @ JRCS

Outline of the course

Mathematics at A level continues the study of number, algebra, shape and data as begun at GCSE.  New ideas introduced include calculus and solving trigonometric equations. The idea of algebra and more complex mathematical proof also becomes increasingly important.

Skills you will develop include:

  • A logical approach to problem solving at a higher level than GCSE
  • Analysing and interpreting data
  • The ability to generalise and prove results

Assessment

Each student must study four ‘core’ maths units which cover the number and algebra work which serves as a base for all mathematics. Students will then need to study two ‘applied’ units and, depending on student numbers and preferences, can chose from: Statistics (good for students taking geography, psychology or some ICT related courses), Mechanics (particularly useful for those taking Physics or wishing to pursue a career in engineering) or Decision Maths (good for ICT and computer programmers). Each unit finishes with an exam which is equally weighted towards the final grade. The ‘Core 3’ unit also includes coursework counting for 20% of the mark for that unit.

AS level

Name

Details

Unit 1

 

Core 1

 

Much of this unit will be familiar from GCSE but includes more advanced algebra and the study of calculus

Unit 2

Core 2

 

This unit builds on core 1 and includes advanced trigonometry and harder calculus

Unit 3

Decision Maths 1

(or Statistics 1 or

 or Mechanics 1)

A unit in applied maths based on algorithms and linear programming.  Other units may be available depending on groups

 

A2 level

Name

Details

Unit 4

Core 3

 

This extends the work of the core 1 and 2 units from the AS units.  Includes coursework worth 20% of the final mark for this unit.

Unit 5

Core 4

 

This extends the work of the core 1, 2 and 3 units from the AS units

Unit 6

Decision Maths 2

(or Statistics 1/2

 or Mechanics 1/2)

Another unit in applied maths.  It is also possible to take a second unit in the topic done at AS (depending on groups)

Careers and further study

Mathematics is an essential subject if you are thinking of working/studying in any of a variety of areas including engineering, accountancy, science-based jobs including medical work, statistics-based jobs including market research for a company. It is also useful for ICT jobs (especially programming) and project management.

Maths is a well respected subject and any students with a good B grade or higher at GCSE should consider it. It is a natural choice for scientists and engineers, but arts-based students can use it to add impressive depth and variety to their skills base.

 

AS Mathematics @ EB

What is available?

The Edexcel Modular Mathematics AS/A level on offer at Eastbury Comprehensive School enables you to follow a course of study leading to an A or AS award in Mathematics.

Subject Options

You can study the following subjects: Pure Mathematics, Mechanics and Statistics. The depth to which you study these subjects will depend upon whether you want to study for an AS or an A level.

Pure Mathematics: Involves a high level of algebraic manipulation and problem solving. Anyone who is taking an A level course in Mathematics must do an element of Pure Mathematics.

Pure Mathematics is required by chemists, engineers, physicists, statisticians, computer scientists and many other professions in order to apply Mathematics to their own particular subject area

Mechanics: When you study mechanics you will learn how to describe mathematically the motion of objects and how they respond to forces acting upon them, from cars in the street to satellites revolving around a planet. You will learn the technique of mathematical modelling; that is, of turning a complicated physical problem into a simpler one that can be analysed and solved using mathematical methods.

Many of the ideas you will meet in the course form an almost essential introduction to such important modern fields of study as cybernetics, robotics, biomechanics and sports science, as well as the more traditional areas of engineering and physics.

Statistics: Many of the ideas you will meet in this course have applications in a wide range of other fields –from assessing what your car insurance is going to cost to how likely the earth is going to be hit by a comet in the next few years. Statistics is a useful tool if you wish to study Biology, Business Studies, Economics, Geography and Psychology

Modules

Each subject is organised as a collection of modules.

Modules are of three types:

Pure Mathematics: C1, C2, C3, C4

Pure Modules C1, C2, C3 and C4 will cover the essential elements of the course needed to form a basis for further study. In order to do the C2 module you must have studied C1 etc.

Mechanics: M1, M2

Mechanics Modules will build on the knowledge of algebra and trigonometry found in Higher level GCSE Mathematics. In order to do the M2 module you must have studied C1, C2 and M1.

Statistics: S1, S2

Statistics Modules will build on the knowledge of probability and the summarisation and representation of data found in Higher GCSE Mathematics. In order to do the S2 module you must have studied C1, C2 and S1.

AS and A level combinations offered at Eastbury Comprehensive School

In order to obtain an AS level you must take 3 modules, C1, C2 with M1 or S1 and for an A level 6 modules, C1, C2, C3, C4 with M1, M2 or S1, S2 or M1, S1. Modules run from September to June.

External assessment

Each module has a 1.5 hour examination, where all the questions have to be answered in order to obtain full marks. There is no coursework. Results of each module will be issued in the form of uniform marks on a scale from 0 to 100. You can retake any module exam as many times as you like in order to improve your marks and the highest mark will always be kept. The points required for a particular AS award are half the points required for an A level award. To gain a grade A award at A level you will need to get a total of at least 480 uniform marks from a possible 600.

Careers

A Level Mathematics is a much sought after qualification for entry to a wide variety of full-time courses in higher education. There are also many areas of employment that see A level Mathematics as an important qualification and it is often a requirement for the vocational qualifications related to these areas.

Higher Education courses or careers that either require Advanced GCE mathematics or are strongly related include:

  • Accountancy
  • Applied Statistics
  • Architecture
  • Business Statistics
  • Computing
  • Discrete Mathematics
  • Economics
  • Engineering
  • Environmental studies
  • ICT
  • Mathematics
  • Mathematical Modelling
  • Mathematical Sciences
  • Medicine
  • Operational Research
  • Psychology
  • Statistics
  • Teaching

  

 

AS Mathematics @ DP

Mathematics and its study give an insight into the world around us, as Galileo said

‘Mathematics is the alphabet with which God wrote the universe’

GCE Mathematics is a much valued qualification and supporting if not a prerequisite for most courses at further educational establishments and universities in fields related to Medicine, Pure & Applied Sciences, Design, Engineering, Social Sciences, Business & Finance and Mathematical fields of study. Consequently to succeed students must be hard working, systematic, creative and methodical in their approach not only at school but also at home.

GCE Mathematics is a two year course and continues developing mathematical knowledge, skills and understanding from GCSE Mathematics. Students will initially follow the EDEXCEL AS level Maths Units and then continue to the second year completing the A2 units listed below. The syllabus comprises of:

AS level Maths Units 

  • Core Maths 1 
  • Core Maths 2 
  • Mechanics 1 or Statistics 1 

A2 Maths Units

  • Core Maths 3
  • Core Maths 4
  • Mechanics 2 or Statistics 2

Assessment criteria are by examination. Each unit examination is 1 ½ hours. Core Maths 1 is the only non-calculator paper.

Assessment Timescale

Students start the course at the beginning of the autumn term (September). The First exam Core Maths 1 takes place January start of the spring term. Core 2 and Mechanics 2 are expected to be examined June in the summer term of year 1. Students will be allowed to resit units during the June or January sittings.