Use of Mathematics AS/A2

If you enjoy maths and using mathematical methods to solve real world problems, you will enjoy this course. It will provide the numerical background for other subjects such as Psychology, Geography, Biology, Business Studies or Physics. You will employ appropriate IT such as graphical calculators and software packages (e.g. Excel and Autograph) to support your mathematical analysis.

This course will enable you to:

• model real life situations — eg. spread of an epidemic
• investigate real data — eg. economic growth
• make sense of situations in your other studies — eg. statistics in Psychology experiments

Course Outline
6 units – 3 at AS level and 3 at A2 level.
AS Level
Each unit is assessed by a 1 hour examination with questions based on a pre-release data sheet. The three units we cover are:

• Algebra
• Data Analysis
• Dynamics

A2 Level
The three units we cover are:

• Modelling with Calculus (1 hour exam with pre-release data sheet)
• Mathematical Comprehension (1 hour exam with pre-release data sheet)
• Mathematical Applications – a portfolio assessment comprising of two pieces of work based on the AS level units or the A2 Calculus unit. Topics may include: the design of a skateboard ramp, the effect of temperature on marathon times, and car depreciation.

All the AS units (except for Algebra) and the Modelling with Calculus unit are Free Standing Maths Qualifications (FSMQs) – they are qualifications in their own right and worth up to 20 UCAS points.