MATHEMATICS A/S LEVEL AND A2 LEVEL
COURSE DESCRIPTION |
|
Examination Board - AQA
The A2-level Mathematics course involves the study of Pure Mathematics with Statistics and Mechanics units. In the first unit, Pure Core 1 much of the initial work will look reassuringly familiar (even after a long summer holiday!) as it revises a number of the Higher GCSE topics such as equations of straight
lines, solving simultaneous equations, solving quadratic equations, graph sketching, surds, as well as introducing new topics such as Differentiation and Integration and their use in problem solving.
The later Pure Maths Units look at the sin, cos and tan functions in more detail; investigate more interesting graphs; use logarithms to solve problems involving exponential growth/decay such as radio-active decay; credit card bills or problems caused by the lack of birth control in a colony of hamsters!
In the Statistics unit, again some of the work will overlap with GCSE initially but you will go onto to solve problems such as, what percentage of the population are taller than Peter Crouch? Can people really tell the difference between coke and diet coke? Asda crisps and Walker’s crisps?
The Mechanics unit looks at solving problems in the real world such as a safe height for a child’s slide; what happens in collisions; what angle and speed you need to project a ball to score.
|
COURSE ASSESSMENT |
|
No coursework. 6 papers each lasting 1 hour 30 minutes.
Three AS units to be sat in year 12, usually Pure Core1 & 2 and Statistics.
Three A2 unit to be sat in year 13, usually Pure Core 3 & 4 and Mechanics.
The first unit is a non-calculator paper, after that a graphics or ordinary calculator can be used in all units. Students should gain a grade A-E in the AS level of year 12 in order to progress to the A2 modules.
|
ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS |
|
Students should have gained a grade A or B at GCSE and have good algebra skills.
|
TEACHING/LEARNING STYLES |
|
As well as explanations of new topics, much of the lesson time will be spent in group 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.
|
INDEPENDENT STUDY |
|
Prep will usually be a problem sheet to practise the skills learnt in different situations. There are notes in the shared area to help you with the work and the Maths staff are always happy to help you sort out any difficulties. 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.
|
PROGRESSION ROUTES |
|
Success in AS and A2 level Mathematics opens a large number of doors in further education and employment. Mathematics is not only seen as an essential requirement for courses in Mathematics,
but is often required for courses in Information Technology, Physics, Engineering, Computing, Software Engineering, and is highly regarded for other courses such as Law and Psychology.
|