Mathematics

The course is a two year course and contains elements of pure and applied mathematics. This was a new course in 2017 and the main changes are in the way the course is examined and in the structure of the course to include both statistics and mechanics. All assessments will be linear, with 100% examination. A level Maths will have 100% prescribed content, containing both pure and applied (no optional content). Mechanics and Statistics will be part of the compulsory content. Requirement for assessment of problem solving, proof and modelling, as well as pre-release of a large data set.

In Mathematics student will be taught pure mathematics which includes; algebraic methods and techniques including functions; co-ordinate geometry in the (x, y) plane; sequences and series; differentiation; integration, trigonometry; exponentials and logarithms; differentiation; integration. There will also be an applied component of the course comprising elements on statistics and mechanics. This content for statistics includes Mathematical models in probability and statistics; representation and summary of data; probability; correlation and regression; discrete random variables; discrete distributions, the Normal distribution. The mechanics module includes mathematical models in mechanics; vectors in mechanics; kinematics of a particle moving in a straight line; dynamics of a particle moving in a straight line or plane; statics of a particles; moments.

For the award of an A level in Mathematics students will sit three two hour papers. Papers 1 and 2 will examine the pure maths aspect of the course. Paper 3 will be divided equally into two sections, statistics and mechanics both topics being given equal weighting Calculators are allowed on all papers. All three exams will be sat at the end of two years.

If you are doing well in GCSE Mathematics then an A level in Mathematics will be viewed by any university as one of the most rigorous and analytical preparations for a degree. With a good grade in Mathematics you will be considered as a serious applicant for any of the academic courses at university. It is a qualification in thinking rather than a particular skill, although it is a prerequisite of course for degrees such as Engineering and Physics.

Careers opportunities for Mathematicians are boundless. Mathematicians are in huge demand in all areas where analysis and numeracy are required; many end up in financial careers, or in management, and, of course, for the deeply committed there are careers in teaching and research.