Mathematics
Exam Board: Edexcel
Course name: A Level Maths
General Information
Maths earns you more money
Yes, there are good economic reasons for studying maths. A recent report by the Centre for Economic Performance made front page news in the Times Educational Supplement.
Times Educational Supplement article on A-level maths of Feb 19 1999
The report said that that young people with A level maths earn 10 per cent more than their mathematically challenged counterparts.
- Maths conferred a clear advantage even when taken by weaker students. People who scraped a pass still enjoyed a higher income later in life;
- A shortage of highly numerate candidates in the jobs market means employers pay a premium for the problem solving and number crunching skills of A level mathematicians;
- A possible explanation is that the maths skills learned at A level, such as logical thinking, problem solving and statistical analysis, may be closer to those actually used in the workplace than skills learned in other subjects.
The Guardian newspaper summarized the situation as ‘Shirking maths at school doesn’t add up in your pay packet‘
Maths makes you desirable
Dorset Careers Service advice about A level mathematics is:
This is probably the most marketable A-level in terms of acceptability. It is difficult to think of any course/career where it would not be welcomed in combination with other subjects.
Mathematics A-level would be applicable for the following:
Courses/careers in Mathematics, Engineering and most areas of Physics (Further Mathematics is often helpful and often required, for some of these courses).
Computing, Accountancy, Economics, Business, Banking, Air Traffic Control, Retail Management, Architecture, Surveying, Cartography, Psychology and, of course, Teaching to name but a few.
Mathematics is beautiful
Mathematicians often say this especially when talking about a particular result. Indeed, G.H.Hardy once wrote “There is no permanent place in the world for ugly mathematics“. The beauty lies, not in the shape of the symbols, but in the ideas behind them.
Alan Goodman is a multi-millionaire businessman and chairman of two quoted companies – one in vaccines and one specialising in gene therapy cancer treatments. He says his ideal career would have been as a mathematician because of the ‘elegance and purity’ of the subject.
Maths is the language of the universe
Much of modern theoretical physics is mathematics. Quantum Theory or Relativity are mathematical theories that attempt to explain the laws of the universe. Of course relativity can be summarised in the one mathematical formula that almost everyone knows E = mc2.
Mathematics and numbers in particular, may be the one thing that we are likely to have in common with any life out in the universe. The Quest for Extra-terrestrial Intelligence
I’m no expert in Biology, but again modern biological theories depend heavily on statistical and other mathematical techniques.
Mathematics makes everything else look easy
This is a little controversial and slightly tongue-in-cheek. It is undoubtedly a hard subject to understand. But this makes other subjects seem relatively easy. I know many university students who take non- maths or science options for a little light relief.
I don’t suppose everyone agrees with me but my students take comfort from this thought when struggling with some mathematical topic.
Course Outline
Year 12 and Year 13
You will be studying:
Core 1, Core 2, Core 3, Core 4, Statistics 1 and Mechanics 1
This is probably the most marketable A-level in terms of acceptability. It is difficult to think of any course/career where it would not be welcomed in combination with other subjects.
Mathematics A-level would be applicable for the following:
Courses/careers in Mathematics, Engineering and most areas of Physics (Further Mathematics is often helpful and often required, for some of these courses).
Computing, Accountancy, Economics, Business, Banking, Air Traffic Control, Retail Management, Architecture, Surveying, Cartography, Psychology and, of course, Teaching to name but a few.
Careers and Higher Education Opportunities
There really is no “typical job” that maths graduates go on to.
Scientific research – All kinds of companies carries out research and need mathematicians to develop models. For instance, pharmaceutical companies employ teams of mathematicians to work on clinical data about the effectiveness or dangers of new drugs.
Economics – Government and large companies employ statisticians to form policies, perform market analysis and risk assessment. Many mathematics graduates go to work in the City, in financial modelling and stock market trading.
Actuarial Services – An actuary’s job involves studying past trends in order to predict future outcomes to help the insurance industry.
Operation Research – This uses maths to make organisations run more efficiently, maximising production or profit and minimising risk and loss
Teaching – You know all about that. Your teachers love their job – it is definitely worth considering.
Or . . . .
Computer games designer, Climate change researcher, Catastrophe manager, Ministry of Defence analyst, Meteorologist, Epidemiologist, Statistician, Investment banker, Oceanographer, Engineer, Telecommunications worker, Transport analyst, Cryptographer, Seismologist (Earthquakes), Astronaut
Extra-curricular and enrichment opportunities
Regular support sessions will be available at lunchtimes, after school and break times throughout the course to help students with homework, projects and exam preparation.
New Core Mathematics
Mathematics – 2 year course
Exam Board: AQA
Course name: Level 3 Mathematics Studies 1350 (Core Mathematics)
General Information
Maths earns you more money
Yes, there are good economic reasons for studying maths. A recent report by the Centre for Economic Performance made front page news in the Times Educational Supplement.
Times Educational Supplement article on A-level maths of Feb 19 1999
The report said that that young people with A level maths earn 10 per cent more than their mathematically challenged counterparts.
- Maths conferred a clear advantage even when taken by weaker students. People who scraped a pass still enjoyed a higher income later in life;
- A shortage of highly numerate candidates in the jobs market means employers pay a premium for the problem solving and number crunching skills of A level mathematicians;
- A possible explanation is that the maths skills learned at A level, such as logical thinking, problem solving and statistical analysis, may be closer to those actually used in the workplace than skills learned in other subjects.
The Guardian newspaper summarized the situation as ‘Shirking maths at school doesn’t add up in your pay packet‘
Maths makes you desirable
Dorset Careers Service advice about A level mathematics is:
This is probably the most marketable A-level in terms of acceptability. It is difficult to think of any course/career where it would not be welcomed in combination with other subjects.
Mathematics A-level would be applicable for the following:
- Courses/careers in Mathematics, Engineering and most areas of Physics (Further Mathematics is often helpful and often required, for some of these courses).
Computing, Accountancy, Economics, Business, Banking, Air Traffic Control, Retail Management, Architecture, Surveying, Cartography, Psychology and, of course, Teaching to name but a few.
Mathematics is beautiful
Mathematicians often say this especially when talking about a particular result. Indeed, G.H.Hardy once wrote “There is no permanent place in the world for ugly mathematics“. The beauty lies, not in the shape of the symbols, but in the ideas behind them.
Alan Goodman is a multi-millionaire businessman and chairman of two quoted companies – one in vaccines and one specialising in gene therapy cancer treatments. He says his ideal career would have been as a mathematician because of the ‘elegance and purity’ of the subject.
Maths is the language of the universe
Much of modern theoretical physics is mathematics. Quantum Theory or Relativity are mathematical theories that attempt to explain the laws of the universe. Of course relativity can be summarised in the one mathematical formula that almost everyone knows E = mc2.
Mathematics and numbers in particular, may be the one thing that we are likely to have in common with any life out in the universe. The Quest for Extra-terrestrial Intelligence
I’m no expert in Biology, but again modern biological theories depend heavily on statistical and other mathematical techniques.
Mathematics makes everything else look easy
This is a little controversial and slightly tongue-in-cheek. It is undoubtedly a hard subject to understand. But this makes other subjects seem relatively easy. I know many university students who take non- maths or science options for a little light relief.
I don’t suppose everyone agrees with me but my students take comfort from this thought when struggling with some mathematical topic.
Course Outline
- Analysis of data, mathematics for personal finance, estimation
- Statistical techniques-critical analysis of data, the normal distribution, probability, correlation and regression
Assessment
Paper 1 – a one and half hour examination on the content of A
Paper 2 – a one and half hour examination on the content of B which includes questions on some pre-released data.
Both examinations have equal weighting and both are calculator papers.
Why Core Mathematics?
Core Mathematics is a 2 year level 3 (A level equivalent) course developed for students who achieved a grade C or better in GCSE and want to study mathematics which is relevant to the courses they have chosen and future careers. This is a relevant course using real-world mathematics skills which is modern, accessible and readable. It is particularly useful for those students studying Psychology, Sciences, Geography, or a vocational course.
Extra-curricular and enrichment opportunities
Regular support sessions will be available at lunchtimes, after school and breaktimes throughout the course to help students with homework, projects and exam preparation.
