Mathematics is a subject that sits at the very centre of human life and is the code which helps us unlock the patterns and structures that make up the world around us. It is the language of commerce, the backbone of science, and a tool of engineering. Advanced mathematics is widely used, but often in an unseen and unadvertised way. For example statistics are essential in medicine, for analysing data on the causes of illness and the effectiveness of new drugs. Travel by aeroplane would not be possible without mathematics of airflow and of control systems. Mathematicians are therefore greatly sought-after by employers and can be found working in a huge variety of interesting roles.
Our course at Fine Arts College requires students to recall, select, and use their knowledge of standard mathematical models to represent situations in the real world and develop an understanding of how different areas of maths can be connected. Students develop the ability to reason logically, recognise incorrect reasoning, and construct mathematical proofs. The course also offers the opportunity for students to research and explore the mathematical debates surrounding the application of mathematics.
The analytical and quantitative skills that our Mathematical students acquire are highly sought after by a wide range of employers. It is, however, important to remember how fundamental the role mathematics plays in all of our lives is. Skills such as arithmetic will prove crucial to each and every one of us, while the ability to apply the processes of mathematical thinking to everyday problems cannot be overestimated.
Some previous students have gone on to follow degree courses in Mathematics at universities including Glasgow, Newcastle, and Sussex.
Students should preferably have an A grade in GCSE Maths.
Course outline:
Lower Sixth
C1: Essential algebra, co-ordinate geometry and calculus
C2: Further algebra, calculus and trigonometry
S1: Statistics and probability
Upper Sixth
C3: Functions, exponentials and logarithms, further differentiation
C4: Parametric co-ordinates, further integration, vectors
D1: Algorithms, linear programming, networks
Examination board: Edexcel/Pearson
