FURTHER MATHEMATICS A/S LEVEL AND A2 LEVEL
COURSE DESCRIPTION |
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Further Mathematics can be taken at either AS level or A2. Students will also need to be studying A level Mathematics.
Students who have gone on to study Mathematics, Physics or Engineering at university have found this course particularly invaluable. Students have also found that by studying Further Mathematics they improved their attainment in the main Mathematics A level.
The AS units go ‘wider’ rather than harder than the Mathematics A level and students will be able to study new areas of Mathematics such as complex numbers and Decision Maths. The Pure units of the A2 course are harder but well within the grasp of an able mathematics student and an excellent preparation for a mathematical or scientific course or career.
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COURSE ASSESSMENT |
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No coursework.
Three units at AS. Three more units at A2.
Some units are compulsory but other can be chosen to suit the students’ interests or strengths where possible.
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ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS |
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Students should have gained a grade A or B at GCSE, preferably a grade A, and have good algebra skills.
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TEACHING/LEARNING STYLES |
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As well as explanations of new topics, much of the lesson time will be spent in discussions of problems. Staff will use a variety of activities to make the lessons enjoyable and help students get a
good grasp of new concepts. We make use of the department laptops and graphic calculators to explore graphs and other topics. There are some very good IT resources for the Further Maths units
to support both lessons and self-study.
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INDEPENDENT STUDY |
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Prep will sometimes be a problem sheet to practise the skills learnt in different situations and at other times using an IT resource to self-study a topic.
In addition to the lessons, at Advanced level pupils must be willing to spend at least 5-8 hours a week outside timetabled lessons to complete written work, to revise, etc.
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PROGRESSION ROUTES |
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Although not essential for following a Mathematics, Engineering or Scientific degree or career, Further Mathematics makes these courses much more accessible and increases your likelihood of a successful
transfer to higher education, particularly at one of the more ‘demanding’ universities.
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