Mathematics AS/A Level

Mathematics A Level is a challenging course which, with a good work ethic and keen interest, can be very rewarding. For a wide range of university courses and careers including Mathematics, Statistics, Operational Research, Physics, Engineering and Economics; Mathematics A Level is a pre-requisite. It is also highly desirable for careers in Accountancy, Architecture, Business Management, Computing and Science. The course will encourage you to develop your mathematical skills, improve your ability to think logically and enable you to determine solutions to a wide range of problems.

At AS Level there are two options: Mechanics and Statistics. In both options, students must take two Core Mathematics modules, which cover a range of topics including algebra, geometry, trigonometry, logarithms and calculus. An applied module, either Mechanics or Statistics is also covered. Mechanics is recommended for those taking Physics, whilst Statistics is more appropriate for those following Humanities and Social Science subjects.

Assessment at AS level is by written examination of the three components modules taken; exams are taken in January and June.

At A2 students take another two Core Mathematics modules and an applied module in Decision Mathematics. Assessment is by written examination of these modules; exams are taken in January and June. Some modules have a small compulsory coursework requirement.

The syllabus covered is OCR MEI (Mathematics in Education and Industry).

Decision & Discrete Maths

Decision and Discrete Maths is a area of Applied Maths that can complement Pure Maths in A Level Maths. It is a relatively new study which has grown out of needs in mathematical modelling to solve real problems arising in modern commerce and industry. Recent advances in computing technology have aided the ease of use of its theories.

Decision & Discrete Maths techniques cover a variety of ideas and methods relevant to the end of making a decision having found the best out of many possible ways of solving a problem. As the basis of such a problem is often discrete (countable separate quantities) rather than continuous (linearly measurable quantities amenable to calculus techniques) the need for new approaches has arisen.

The following list includes the main key topics of A Level Decision & Discrete Maths as far as we take it:

• algorithms
  
• graph theory
  
• networks
  
• critical path analysis
  
• linear programming
  
• simulation

Mechanics

Mechanics is an area of Applied Maths that can complement Pure Maths in A Level Maths.

It applies mathematical skills, developed through to the Higher Level of National Curriculum GCSE Maths, to solving problems using the laws of motion and force. As well as practice with calculations to answer questions based on the application of principles, there is opportunity for simple experiments and investigations involving modelling procedures. Mechanics studied in A Level Maths is of benefit to students studying A Level Physics, and those going on to higher education to follow any sort of Engineering or Physical Science course.

The following list includes the main key topics of Mechanics within A Level Maths:

• displacement, velocity and acceleration
  
• forces, and laws applying them to motion
  
• Vectors and their resolution
  
• projectiles
  
• friction
  
• moments of forces
  
• centre of mass
  
• energy, work and power
  
• impulse and momentum

Statistics

Statistics is an area of Applied Maths that can complement Pure Maths in A Level Maths.

It extends ideas developed through to the Higher Level of National Curriculum GCSE Maths, the Handling Data section particularly.

There is study and practice of the most appropriate ways of investigating and displaying data sets so that their main features can be communicated. Sampling is involved in students' collection of their own data for coursework projects which form part of the external assessment. There is also a development of probablity distribution theory for the purpose of understanding the way certain important statistical tests work, and examples are given in a variety of contexts including health and safety, the media and industry.

The following list includes the main key topics of A Level statistics as far as we take it:

• sampling and presenting data
  
• measures of centre and spread
  
• probability anf expectation
  
• Binomial, Poisson and Normal distributions
  
• correlation and regression
  
• hypothesis tests and goodness of fit.