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Mathematics

AS Mathematics

1. Entry requirements

 Candidates wishing to study A or AS level Mathematics must have achieved at least a grade B on the GCSE Higher syllabus. Candidates who receive a grade C on a GCSE Foundation or GCSE Higher syllabus will not be considered for this course.

2. 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.

3. 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 acomplicated physical problem into a simpler one that can be analysed and solved usingmathematical 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

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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:

AS Further Mathematics

1. Entry requirements

This AS level is only available to candidates who will be studying A level Mathematics. Candidates wishing to study Further Mathematics need to have achieved a GCSE grade 'A' or above in Mathematics. For further information please speak to the Head of Maths at Eastbury.

2. What is available?

You will study three module subjects two of which will be : Further Pure Mathematics 1 and Decision Mathematics 1. The third module will depend on your other A level Mathematics module choices.

The course starts in January of Year 12 and lasts for 18 months with the final module exam taking place at the end of Year 13. The course is done after school at Eastbury on a Monday from 4pm to 6pm. It is different from other ways of learning in that it depends on self-study, much like university. The website, www.fmnetwork.org.uk contains more information about the course and further mathematics.

There are web based resources available that allow you to study effectively and are designed for use alongside textbooks, enabling you to learn independently whilst giving you the help you need. At least once a term all students get together for an intensive study day, often at a local university, where there will be opportunities to focus on particular topics or revision prior to the actual examinations.

3. 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 requirement. 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. To gain a grade A award at AS level you will need to get a total of at least 240 uniform marks from a possible 300.

4. Careers

A high level of mathematics is needed by students going on to degrees in subjects such as engineering, sciences, computing, economics and finance, which are essential for a competitive modern economy. Mathematicians are at the heart of space research, aircraft design, and at the forefront of information technology.