This course is for students who have enjoyed studying Mathematics at GCSE, particularly algebra, and have strong problem solving skills.
You must have achieved a grade 7 at GCSE Mathematics - if you achieve a 6 you must also pass an entry test.
Course Content
Topics
The linear mathematics A-level will comprise a combination of pure mathematics, statistics and mechanics.
- Pure mathematics topics include: Proof, Algebra and Functions, Coordinate Geometry, Sequences and Series, Trigonometry, Exponentials and Logarithms, Differentiation, Integration, Numerical Methods and Vectors.
- Statistics topics include: Statistical Sampling, Data Presentation and Interpretation, Probability, Statistical Distributions and Statistical Hypothesis Testing.
- Mechanics topics include: Quantities and Units in Mechanics, Kinematics, Forces and Newton’s Laws and Moments.
Topics
The linear mathematics A-level will comprise a combination of pure mathematics, statistics and mechanics.
- Pure mathematics topics include: Proof, Algebra and Functions, Coordinate Geometry, Sequences and Series, Trigonometry, Exponentials and Logarithms, Differentiation, Integration, Numerical Methods and Vectors.
- Statistics topics include: Statistical Sampling, Data Presentation and Interpretation, Probability, Statistical Distributions and Statistical Hypothesis Testing.
- Mechanics topics include: Quantities and Units in Mechanics, Kinematics, Forces and Newton’s Laws and Moments.
Methods of Teaching, Learning and Assessment
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 visualise equations and to explore the large data set provided by the examining board. Students are expected to do a substantial amount of revision and practice outside the classroom.
Methods of Assessment
The A-level course is assessed by written examinations taken in summer of the second year. There is no assessed coursework element in this course but students are expected to have detailed knowledge of the large data set. This will be explored via the use of mini projects throughout the course.
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 visualise equations and to explore the large data set provided by the examining board. Students are expected to do a substantial amount of revision and practice outside the classroom.
Methods of Assessment
The A-level course is assessed by written examinations taken in summer of the second year. There is no assessed coursework element in this course but students are expected to have detailed knowledge of the large data set. This will be explored via the use of mini projects throughout the course.
Resources and Costs
All students will need to have access to the course textbooks. These must be purchased individually or alternatively 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 calculator for this course and these can be purchased by the student or are available to hire from the mathematics department. Advice will be given on choosing an appropriate calculator during induction.
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 Classwix 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 textbooks individually for the course at a cost of about £60.
Financial assistance is available via the College Bursary Scheme.
All students will need to have access to the course textbooks. These must be purchased individually or alternatively 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 calculator for this course and these can be purchased by the student or are available to hire from the mathematics department. Advice will be given on choosing an appropriate calculator during induction.
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 Classwix 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 textbooks individually for the course at a cost of about £60.
Financial assistance is available via the College Bursary Scheme.
Enrichment
We offer support for students taking the Maths Challenge, STEP Maths 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, which is the MAT exam.
We also offer support for the TMUA paper. 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.
In the past, we have run Erasmus+ trips where mathematics students visit and collaborate with students from other European countries including Slovakia, Poland, Greece and Turkey.
We offer support for students taking the Maths Challenge, STEP Maths 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, which is the MAT exam.
We also offer support for the TMUA paper. 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.
In the past, we have run Erasmus+ trips where mathematics students visit and collaborate with students from other European countries including Slovakia, Poland, Greece and Turkey.
Progression
Students have gone on to university to study Mathematics, Computing, Sciences, Accounting, Finance, Engineering, Economics, Law, Medicine and Education. Many students studying 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 Maths have gone on to top Russell Group universities.
Where can this course lead?
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