BASIC MATHEMATICS
Course Title
Basic Mathematics
Course Code
BMS411S
NQF Level
4
Notional Hours
120 hours
Lecturing
60
Practical/Tutorial
20
Assessment
10
Self study
30
NQF Credits
12
Prerequisites
None
Options (compulsory or
elective)
Institutional Core (may be subsumed by the admission requirements and/or
core courses of a programme)
Semesters Offered
1/2
Course Aims
This semester course is designed to uplift the level of mathematical skills for
PoN students. The course is structured in such a way that, in the end,
confidence in handling simple mathematical calculations is enhanced.
Learning
Outcomes/Specific
Outcomes
Upon completing the course students will, through assessment activities,
show evidence of their ability to:
 demonstrate strengthened mathematical knowledge to cope
with daily use of Mathematics;
 explain basic mathematical concepts and carry out simple
calculations;
 demonstrate basic competencies in the use of basic
mathematical skills;
 apply mathematical concepts to real business and management
situations.
Course Content
1. Arithmetic Operations
Fundamental operations on whole numbers
Natural Numbers – Primes and Composites
Common Divisors and Multiples (HCD and LCM)
Fractions (Vulgar and Decimals)
2. Powers and Roots. Real Numbers
Natural-Number Exponents and Roots
The Irrational Number and the Real Numbers
Integral Exponents
Arithmetic nth Root
Rational-Number Exponents
3. Basic Algebraic Expressions and operations
Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division
Symbols of grouping
Numeric and Algebraic Expressions
Monomials and Polynomials
4. Linear and Quadratic Equations
Linear Equations in One Unknown (including fractional coefficients)
Applications of Linear Equations in One Unknown
5. Elementary Set Theory
Elements of a set
Methods of describing a set
Set Operations
Venn Diagrams and Applications
6. Matrix Algebra (not exceeding 2 x 2)
Row and Column Vectors
Addition, Subtraction and Multiplication of Vectors
Addition, Subtraction and Multiplication of Matrices
Determinant of a matrix
7. Basic Financial Mathematics
Ratio, Proportions and Percentage
Simple Interest and Simple Discount
Basic Concepts of Compound Interest
Methods of Facilitating
Learning
The course will be facilitated through lectures, class tutorials, group
discussions/assignments as well as take home assignments.
Assessment Strategies
The assessment for this course will be based on continuous evaluation and
an end of semester examination. The continuous evaluation is made up of
class tests and/or assignments and contributes 50% to the final
assessment. Students have to obtain at least 50% to qualify to write the
examination. The end of semester assessment consists of one three-hour
paper in which students must obtain a sub-minimum of 40%. The
examination mark contributes 50% to the final assessment.
Quality
Assurance
Arrangements
Moderation of assessment instruments will be done in accordance with the
general rules and guidelines on moderation.
Student Support and
Learning Resources
Prescribed Textbook:
David Rayner. Extended Mathematics for IGCSE. Oxford University Press.
ISBN 0199147868
Recommended Textbook:
L.R Mustoe & M.D.J Barry. (1998). Foundation Mathematics. Chichester:
John Wiley & Sons Ltd. ISBN 0-471-970421
Study guide (Used by distance students):
Introduction to Mathematics ITM 111S
VERSION CONTROL AND CHANGE HISTORY
Version Control
Date Approved
Approved by
Amendment
2
13/08/2010
Senate
Revised as part of requirements for
Institutional Core courses