Module title
Foundation Mathematics
Module code
INT0007
Academic year(s)
2015/6
Credits
20
Basic module details
Module staff
Dawn Elizabeth Bird - Convenor
Duration (weeks) - term 1
12
Duration (weeks) - term 2
Duration (weeks) - term 3
Number students taking module (anticipated)
150
Description - summary of the module content
Module description
Knowledge of mathematics underpins most disciplines, especially engineering and business studies. In this module you will
learn how to describe, understand and represent situations both graphically and algebraically and draw conclusions from these.
You will learn how to manipulate and solve different types of equations to find unknown values, how to make decisions and how
to find the best decision from a set of different possibilities. You will spend time in the centre’s multi-media room, using our new
computing facilities, learning computing techniques to apply to various situations and using on-line learning material.
This is not a course for beginners:- students taking this course should already have good knowledge of mathematics which will
be checked at the beginning of the course.
Module aims - intentions of the module
Module aims
This module aims to provide a foundation in mathematics for students who intend to follow a degree programme in the area of
Business, Computer Science, Engineering, Psychology or other related disciplines. Students will be expected to manage their
time successfully in order to complete a series of coursework and other tasks.
Intended learning outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
1. demonstrate an understanding of standard mathematical notation
2. use mathematical methods to solve simple problems requiring the use of algebraic formulae
3. demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles of the calculus
4. use appropriate techniques in a variety of problems
5. apply mathematics to a wide range of real life problems
6. demonstrate understanding of basic mathematical principles
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
7. use mathematical software confidently, where relevant, to investigate solutions to mathematical problems
8. construct and use mathematical models to represent situations in the real world
9. use the results of calculations to make predictions and give answers to appropriate accuracy
10. illustrate data by graphs and interpret information portrayed by graphs
ILO: Personal and key skills
11. Interpret and analyse data
12. communicate effectively in the written form
Syllabus plan
Syllabus plan
1. Familiarity with the terms: natural number, integer, rational number, irrational number, real number,
fractions, modulus. Decimal places and significant figures. Scientific notation.
2. Algebra. Laws of indices. Solution of quadratic equations by factors, completing the square and
using the formula. Solution of linear simultaneous equations. Solution of linear and quadratic
inequalities. Linear Programming. Manipulation of polynomials, including: rearranging equations,
brackets and factorisation.
3. Coordinate Geometry in two dimensions. The equation of a straight line. Gradient and mid-point of
the line joining two given points. Distance between two points. Parallel lines. Perpendicular lines.
Finding the points of intersection of two lines, or line and curve.
4. Function notation: y=f(x). Curve sketching of quadratic and cubic functions. Application of simple
transformations on the graph y = f(x). Domain and range. Composite Functions.
5. The exponential and logarithmic functions and their graphs. Laws of logarithms. Use of logarithms
to solve ax � b and to transform a given relationship to linear form so determining unknown
constants from gradient and intercept. Use of Excel to draw these functions.
6. Sequences and series. � notation. Arithmetic progression. Geometric progression. Compound
Interest.
7. Differentiation. Introduction. Notations: dy/dx and f �(x). Differentiation as rate of change, gradients
of curves. Differentiation of xn, tangents and normals.
8. Integration as the reverse process of differentiation. Indefinite and definite integration of standard
functions. Application of integration to finding plane areas.
9. Numerical solution of equations. Location of roots of f(x)=0 by considering change of sign and
simple iterative methods. Use of spreadsheets (Excel) to determine solution of equations.
10. Statistics. Representation of data; histograms, stem and leaf diagrams, cumulative frequency
curves, box plots. Measures of location; mean, median and mode, moving averages. Measures of
dispersion; variance, standard deviation, range and interquartile range. Scatter diagrams. Using
Excel to represent data.
11. Probability. The concept of a random event and its probability. Venn diagrams and tree diagrams.
Addition Law. Mutually exclusive events. Multiplication law and conditional probability. Independent
events.
Learning and teaching
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching
Activities
Guided independent study
Placement / study abroad
60
140
0
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
Category
Hours of study time
Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching
activities
60
Small group lessons, including lectures,
examples, practice and use of
computing techniques.
Guided Independent Learning
140
Study of written notes, practise
examples, using resources supplied on
ELE and other on-line learning material.
Coursework
Written exams
Practical exams
20
80
0
Assessment
Formative assessment
Summative assessment (% of credit)
Details of summative assessment
Form of assessment
% of credit
Size of the
assessment (eg
length / duration)
ILOs assessed
Feedback method
Coursework
assignments
20
15 hours
1-11
On-line feedback
immediately after
submission.
Mid-Term Examination
30
2 hours
1-6, 8-12
Verbal feedback in
class tutorial
Final Examination
50
2 hours
1-12
Written feedback on
formal submission
Re-assessment
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
Original form of assessment Form of re-assessment
ILOs re-assessed
Timescale for reassessment
Examination and Coursework
1-12
Notified at commencement of
module.
One Examination
Re-assessment notes
The grade for the referred exam, and therefore the module grade, will be capped at 40%. Re-assessment, which is only
available if all coursework has been completed, will not include coursework marks or mid-term exam marks. Resubmission of
coursework is impractical since coursework answers are made available to students at the close of original submission.
Deferred exams will not be capped and will include all summative coursework and examination marks in the final module grade.
Resources
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Hanrahan, V., Mathews, J., Porkess, R. & Secker, P. (2004). MEI AS Pure Mathematics C1 and C2: MEI Structured
Mathematics (3rd Ed.). London: Hodder Murray.
Eccles, A., Francis, B., Graham, A.,& Porkess, R. (2004). MEI Statistics 1: MEI Structured Mathematics (3rd Ed.). London:
Hodder Murray.
Berry, C., Hanrahan, V., Porkess, R., Secker, P.(2004). MEI A2 Pure Mathematics C3 and C4: MEI Structured Mathematics
(3rd Ed.). London: Hodder Murray.
Module has an active ELE page?
Yes
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=1925
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
Pledger, K., Attwood, G., MacPherson, A., Moran, B., Petran, J. & Wilkins, D. (2004). Core Mathematics 1: Heinemann Modular
Mathematics. Oxford: Heinemann Educational.
Pledger, K., Attwood, G., MacPherson, A., Moran, B., Petran, J., Staley, G. & Wilkins, D. (2004). Core Mathematics 2:
Heinemann Modular Mathematics. Oxford: Heinemann Educational.
Attwood, G., Dyer, G. & Skipworth, G. (1994). Statistics 1: Heinemann Modular Mathematics. Oxford: Heinemann Educational.
Other details
Module ECTS
10
Module pre-requisites
Module co-requisites
NQF level (module)
3
Available as distance learning?
No
Origin date
1/9/2007
Last revision date
25/07/2013
Key words search
Mathematics, Foundation Mathematics,