Prerequisites for mathematics and statistics modules Nearly all mathematics and statistics modules assume that you have some prior mathematical knowledge or experience. The prerequisite knowledge is outlined in the Entry section of the module description on the Study at the OU website. For most mathematics and statistics modules at levels 2 and 3, the prerequisites can be met by previous study of specified OU modules, which are summarised in the table below. Most students who started their OU studies before October 2012 were and remain entirely at liberty to study a module without having previously passed the recommended prerequisite module(s), whereas nearly all students starting from October 2012 will normally in future have to pass prerequisite modules first. Pass rates are unsurprisingly usually quite a bit higher for students who have studied prerequisites than for those who haven’t. Figures for this are also given in the table. The message is clear. Prerequisites are important. We do not include any data for the MU123, MST121 or the Mathematics Education courses. We have included data for the mathematical physics modules run by the Science Faculty. The figures suggest that it is by no means impossible to pass a module without having previously passed a prerequisite module. For example one might have gained the prerequisite knowledge from other non-OU studies, perhaps revising it by borrowing module units or reading textbooks; but as the figures show, this is a big challenge for many students, even those with brainpower and determination to succeed. In the case of some modules, there are diagnostic quizzes in addition to the advice on the Study at the OU web pages. If you are still in any doubt you should contact your regional or national centre for advice. The information below on the importance of prerequisites is just one of the factors to be considered when making good and appropriate study choices. As you can see from looking at module results, not all students who start a module then pass it. Several students withdraw during the module before the exam. In the OU’s regular survey of students who withdraw, the overwhelming majority give the reason of falling behind because of increased family or work responsibilities, or personal/family problems. There are some students who get as far as the exam who then fail the module. So prerequisites are by no means the only or major factor in passing a module. But for very many students, taking the prerequisite module improves their chances of success. The table below only includes students who had previous OU study experience. We have excluded results for those students who were allowed to start their OU studies with this module. Many of these students had good relevant previous experience outside the OU and would usually have had success rates entirely comparable with students who had passed the OU prerequisite. Course MS221 M208 MST209 M248 M249 MST326 MS324 M336 M337 M343 M346 M347 MT365 course overall Prerequisite(s) With prerequisite Without prerequisite No. at start % pass No. at start % pass No. at start % pass 1550 54 MST121 1317 59 233 27 906 66 MST121 790 67 116 60 MS221 695 74 211 40 994 63 MST121 807 63 187 61 MS221 630 72 364 46 760 62 MST121 605 68 155 38 378 76 M248 275 87 103 47 303 53 MST209 203 64 100 30 211 59 MST209 160 60 51 56 310 69 M208 264 74 46 42 475 66 M208 351 72 124 50 MST209 326 72 149 53 361 78 M248 230 80 131 74 MST209 174 84 187 72 292 75 M248 225 82 67 53 318 53 MS221 198 55 120 50 M248 193 54 125 51 M249 182 58 136 46 376 76 MST121 309 78 67 69 M373 212 69 M381 347 73 SM358 226 59 SMT359 317 52 MS221 MST209 M208 M208 MST209 S207 MST209 S207 MST209 289 147 133 260 218 117 149 200 216 80 78 75 78 80 57 62 55 59 87 65 79 87 129 109 77 117 101 65 48 58 59 62 61 53 48 38 Notes about prerequisites MST121 MST121 and MS221 MST121 and MS221 MST121 M248 MST209 MST209 M208 M208 or MST209 M248 with MST209 as help M248 MS221, M248, M249 MST121 or MS221, plus 60 points MST at level 2 M208 or MST209 M208 or MST209 S207 and MST209 S207 and MST209 Notes on the table 1. We have only counted students who had previous OU experience. 2. Numbers of students starting the module are given for its most recent presentation, normally 2012 except for those modules which did not run in 2012, for which the 2011 figures were used. The percentage pass rate is in terms of the number of students starting the module. 3. For many modules, pass rates are higher still for students who have previously passed other modules besides the prerequisites. This is not surprising, of course. So on M248, 342students had previously passed MS221 and 77% of these passed M248. On M208, 148 students had previously passed MST209 and 88% of these passed M208. On MST209, 331 students had previously passed M208 and 80% of these passed MST209. 20 Dec 2012