SFY1111 : Core Mathematics A
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Available to incoming Study Abroad and Exchange students
- Module Leader(s): Dr Kate Henderson
- Owning School: Mathematics, Statistics and Physics
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
Pre Requisite Comment
N/A
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
Co Requisite Comment
N/A
Aims
This module aims to cover the fundamental aspects of core mathematics from the pre-calculus aspects of the A-Level Mathematics curriculum to prepare students for more advanced study in mathematics.
Students will develop skills in algebraic manipulation, graphs and transformations, and trigonometry. They will also be introduced to exponential and logarithmic functions. Students completing this pre-calculus course will be ready to explore topics in basic calculus, should their programme require this.
Outline Of Syllabus
1.Algebraic Expressions (index laws, surds)
2.Quadratics (complete the square, solve, graphs, discriminant)
3.Equations and Inequalities (simultaneous equations, solving, graphing inequalities including identifying regions)
4.Graphs and transforms (cubic, quartic, reciprocal graphs, all graph transformations)
5.Straight line graphs (y=mx+c, parallel and perpendicular lines)
6.Circles (bisectors, circle equation, intersection circle/line, tangent/chord properties, circles & triangles)
7.Algebraic methods (algebraic fractions, polynomial division, factor theorem, methods of proof)
8.Binomial Expansion (Pascal’s triangle, factorial notation, the binomial expansion, binomial estimation)
9.Trig (Sine/Cosine Rule, Area of triangle, graphs of sin, cos and tan)
10.Trigonometric Identities (CAST diagram, simple identities and solving equations with multiple solutions)
11.Exponentials and Logs (Introduction to the functions, solving equations, laws of logs, natural logs)
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 24 | 1:00 | 24:00 | Asynchronous material |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Final exam preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 3 | 6:00 | 18:00 | 3 x In-course Assessment each requiring 4 hours preparation 2 hours completion |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Exam completion |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | Exam revision |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 26 | 1:00 | 26:00 | 3 One hour lectures per week over the first weeks of the semester, plus 2 One hour revision lectures. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 16 | 1:00 | 16:00 | Problem sessions/tutorials - 2 per week for the first 8 weeks. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | Drop in/ Q&A sessions every week of the semester, to include drop-ins after the course has finished to support exam revision. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 15 | 1:00 | 15:00 | Follow - up - Reviewing learning at workshops |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 13 | 1:00 | 13:00 | Lecture follow-up |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 45 | 1:00 | 45:00 | Independent study - Background reading, reviewing notes, re-enforcing knowledge. |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The teaching methods are appropriate to allow students to develop a wide range of skills, from understanding basic concepts and facts to higher-order thinking. Asynchronous lectures are used for the delivery of theory and explanation of methods, lectures broaden this understanding and provide illustrative examples, and can be used for giving general feedback on marked work.
Problem Classes are used to help develop the students’ abilities at applying the theory to solving problems.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 120 | 1 | M | 70 | Final Exam |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | 10 | Small in-course assessment. Contains 8-10 questions |
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | 10 | Small in-course assessment. Contains 8-10 questions |
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | 10 | Small in-course assessment. Contains 8-10 questions |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | Small in-course assessment. Contains 8-10 questions |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
A substantial formal unseen examination is appropriate for the assessment of the material in this module. The format of the examination will enable students to reliably demonstrate their own knowledge, understanding and application of learning outcomes. The assurance of academic integrity is vital to ensure students have the best chance of success in their destination programme.
The coursework assignments allow the students to develop their problem solving techniques, to practise the methods learnt in the module, to assess their progress and to receive feedback; these assessments have a secondary formative purpose as well as their primary summative purpose.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- SFY1111's Timetable