This course is for students who have gained a grade 8 at GCSE Mathematics. It is taught across 2 subject blocks and leads to two qualifications; A-level Mathematics and A-level Further Mathematics.
Course content
The Further Mathematics A-level will comprise a combination of pure mathematics, mechanics and decision mathematics.
- Core topics include: Complex Numbers, Proof by Induction, Vector geometry, Calculus, Volumes of revolution, Polar coordinates, Hyperbolic Functions and Differential equations.
- Mechanics applications include: Momentum and Impulse, Work Energy and Power, Elastic Energy, Elastic collisions in 1 dimension and Elastic collisions in 2 dimensions.
- Decision mathematics applications include: Algorithms and graph theory, Algorithm on graphs, Linear programming and Critical path analysis.
The Further Mathematics A-level will comprise a combination of pure mathematics, mechanics and decision mathematics.
- Core topics include: Complex Numbers, Proof by Induction, Vector geometry, Calculus, Volumes of revolution, Polar coordinates, Hyperbolic Functions and Differential equations.
- Mechanics applications include: Momentum and Impulse, Work Energy and Power, Elastic Energy, Elastic collisions in 1 dimension and Elastic collisions in 2 dimensions.
- Decision mathematics applications include: Algorithms and graph theory, Algorithm on graphs, Linear programming and Critical path analysis.
Methods of Teaching and Learning
The course is taught by well qualified and experienced staff. Students will use computers with the mathematical packages Autograph, Desmos, GeoGebra and Excel (amongst others) to help with investigations. The graphical calculator is also used as a teaching tool and is intended to make students independent and confident learners. Students are expected to do a substantial amount of revision and practice outside the classroom.
Methods of Assessment
Both A-level courses are assessed by written examinations taken in May/June of the second year. There are no assessed coursework elements in these courses.
The course is taught by well qualified and experienced staff. Students will use computers with the mathematical packages Autograph, Desmos, GeoGebra and Excel (amongst others) to help with investigations. The graphical calculator is also used as a teaching tool and is intended to make students independent and confident learners. Students are expected to do a substantial amount of revision and practice outside the classroom.
Methods of Assessment
Both A-level courses are assessed by written examinations taken in May/June of the second year. There are no assessed coursework elements in these courses.
Resources
All students will need to have access to the course textbooks. These are available to purchase or there will be an option to have access to the online version for a small fee. Details of this will be available once the student is enrolled. The College library is well stocked with other Mathematics books, and students are encouraged to use online resources as appropriate. Students will need an advanced scientific or graphical calculator for this course and these can be purchased by the student. Advice will be given on choosing an appropriate calculator during induction.
All students will need to have access to the course textbooks. These are available to purchase or there will be an option to have access to the online version for a small fee. Details of this will be available once the student is enrolled. The College library is well stocked with other Mathematics books, and students are encouraged to use online resources as appropriate. Students will need an advanced scientific or graphical calculator for this course and these can be purchased by the student. Advice will be given on choosing an appropriate calculator during induction.
Enrichment
We offer support for students taking the Maths Challenge, STEP Maths, MAT and the Advanced Extension Award for Maths. This support is aimed at students capable of achieving A/A* in Maths and/or Further Maths. Oxford, Imperial, Warwick universities require an entrance exam for students wanting to study Maths. These are sat in November of the second year and we will do some preliminary work with students towards the end of the first year with assignments to be completed over the summer.
We offer support for students taking the Maths Challenge, STEP Maths, MAT and the Advanced Extension Award for Maths. This support is aimed at students capable of achieving A/A* in Maths and/or Further Maths. Oxford, Imperial, Warwick universities require an entrance exam for students wanting to study Maths. These are sat in November of the second year and we will do some preliminary work with students towards the end of the first year with assignments to be completed over the summer.
Additional Costs
Students are required to have an advanced scientific calculator capable of performing summary statistics. In most cases the calculator used for their GCSE does not meet this requirement. We recommend that students purchase the Casio Classwiz fx-991EX which retails for around £25-30 and is available online or in most supermarkets. There are cheaper Classwiz calculators available but these do not meet the requirements for A-level mathematics. Students may also (or instead) wish to purchase a graphical calculator, in which case we recommend the Casio CG50, but this is not a requirement for the course.
Note that students do not need to have purchased a calculator before their course starts.
Students are also required to pay £7.50 for access to the full suite of online textbooks. Alternatively students may wish to purchase the Further Maths textbooks individually for the course at a cost of about £80.
Students are required to have an advanced scientific calculator capable of performing summary statistics. In most cases the calculator used for their GCSE does not meet this requirement. We recommend that students purchase the Casio Classwiz fx-991EX which retails for around £25-30 and is available online or in most supermarkets. There are cheaper Classwiz calculators available but these do not meet the requirements for A-level mathematics. Students may also (or instead) wish to purchase a graphical calculator, in which case we recommend the Casio CG50, but this is not a requirement for the course.
Note that students do not need to have purchased a calculator before their course starts.
Students are also required to pay £7.50 for access to the full suite of online textbooks. Alternatively students may wish to purchase the Further Maths textbooks individually for the course at a cost of about £80.
What's next?
Students have gone on to university to study Mathematics, Computing, Sciences, Accounting, Finance, Engineering, Economics, Law, Medicine and Education. Many students studying Further Maths have gone on to top Russell Group universities.
Students have gone on to university to study Mathematics, Computing, Sciences, Accounting, Finance, Engineering, Economics, Law, Medicine and Education. Many students studying Further Maths have gone on to top Russell Group universities.
Where can this course lead?
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