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You have found that you are good at it and it’s always nice to continue doing something you’re good at. You enjoy solving problems. You like mathematical ideas and want to study them more deeply. You have a logical mind and the certainty of maths appeals to you. These are all very good reasons, but first and foremost is the wide choice of career opportunities which exist for mathematical students.
AS Mathematics
An AS in Mathematics is very valuable as a supporting subject to many courses at advanced level and degree level, especially in the sciences, geography, psychology, sociology and medical courses.
A Level Mathematics
A Level Mathematics is a much sought-a)er qualification for entry to a wide variety of fulltime courses in higher education. There are also many areas of employment that see A Level Maths as an important qualification and it is o)en a requirement for the vocational qualifications related to these areas.
Further Mathematics
Mathematics is unique in that academically strong students with high ability in Maths can go further than one A-Level and take extra modules; three modules to give AS Further Maths and six modules for A Level Further Maths. The course is ideal for those students who wish to study Mathematics or Engineering at University.
Career Opportunities
Career opportunities exist in economics, medicine, architecture, engineering, scientific research, accountancy, education, business, local government, industry, psychology, environmental studies, computing, information and communication technology and management.
The units cover Pure Mathematics, Mechanics, Statistics and Decision Mathematics. Pure Mathematics When studying Pure Mathematics at AS and Advanced GCE you will be extending your knowledge of such topics as algebra and trigonometry as well as learning some brand new ideas such as calculus. If you enjoyed the challenge of problem solving at GCSE using such mathematical techniques, then you should find the prospect of this course very appealing. Although many of the ideas you will meet in Pure Mathematics are interesting in their own right, they also serve as an important foundation for other branches of Mathematics, especially Mechanics and Statistics.
Mechanics
When you study Mechanics you will learn how to describe mathematically the motion of objects and how they respond to forces acting upon them, from cars in the street to satellites revolving around a planet. You will learn the technique of mathematical modelling; that is, of turning a complicated physical problem into a simpler one that can be analysed and solved using mathematical methods. Many of the ideas you will meet in the course form an almost essential introduction to such important modern fields of study as cybernetics, robotics, biomechanics and sports science, as well as the more traditional areas of engineering and physics.
Statistics
When you study Statistics you will learn how to analyse and summarise numerical data in order to arrive at conclusions about it. You will extend the range of probability problems that you started for GCSE by using the new mathematical techniques studied on the Pure Mathematical course. Many of the ideas you will meet in this course have applications in a wide range of other fields from assessing what your car insurance is going to cost to how likely the earth is going to be hit by a comet in the next few years.
Decision Mathematics
When you study Decision Mathematics you will learn how to solve problems involving networks. You will study a range of methods, or algorithms, which enable such problems to be tackled. Many of these problems and their algorithms are of recent origin. Ideas on this course have many important applications to such different problems as the design of circuits on microchips to the scheduling of tasks required to build a new supermarket.
AS & A2
General college entry requirements. (See page 10 for details.) In addition, you need to have passed GCSE Maths at Higher Level at grade B or above.
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