Mathematics for Science

• Credit value: 15 credits at Level 4
• Convenor and tutor: Dr Paul King
• Assessment: three take-home problems (25% each) and a 90-minute test (25%)

In this module we provide you with the necessary mathematical skills for study of the science modules on the Foundation Year and also for embarking on an undergraduate programme in the School of Natural Sciences.

We will introduce you to a range of mathematical topics necessary for successful study in chemistry and biology and provide you with problem-solving and analytical skills. This will give you the confidence and proficiency to use quantities, functions and algebraic relationships, and enable you to represent data graphically and to describe it in statistical terms.

Indicative syllabus

• Handling numbers
• Simple functions
• Graphical representation of data
• Elements of algebra
• Elements of statistics and treatment of errors

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• recognise, use and manipulate numbers in different representations
• correctly use and manipulate quantities which contain both numbers and units
• understand the nature of logarithmic, exponential and trigonometric functions, and apply them in a scientific context
• perform manipulation of algebraic relationships and solve quadratic equations
• plot and interpret straight-line graphs, and transform nonlinear functions into straight-line form
• calculate and interpret statistical characteristics of data distributions
• develop your problem-solving and analytical skills
• comprehend a problem, formulate a range of possible methods of attack and choose appropriately between them
• translate real-world scientific problems into mathematical terms
• construct and evaluate proofs of mathematical propositions.