Undergraduate Course: Transition to University Mathematics for Physics (PHYS07001)
Course Outline
| School | School of Physics and Astronomy |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 7 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course helps physics and physics-related students make the transition between school-level and university-mathematics. It covers the foundations of algebra and calculus with an emphasis on developing good practice and mathematical study skills, and on helping students to reflect on their own learning. It is delivered via online self-study, weekly online quizzes, weekly lectures and small-group tutorials with graduate Teaching Assistants. |
| Course description |
This course is intended to help students on physics and physics-related degrees transition from their school mathematics courses to the first-year university courses, Mathematics for Physics 1 & 2. Many of the topics covered here will be familiar from school, but there is more of an emphasis on understanding and first principles, on making connections between topics and solving problems that can draw on several topics at once. The course will also focus on helping students to develop their own mathematical practice and study skills through reflective exercises, which will benefit them in other university courses.
The central topics are:
Foundations
1. Logical arguments
2. Simplification
3. Checking the solution
4. Reflection
5. Exam technique
Algebra
1. Linear and quadratic functions
2. Complex numbers
3. Functions (trigonometric, exponential, logarithmic)
4. Curve sketching
Calculus
1. Limits
2. Differentiation
3. Integration
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Not to be displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus, but all students considering taking Mathematics For Physics 1 should be made aware of it. |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2024/25, Available to all students (SV1)
|
Quota: 270 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 11,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 20,
Online Activities 100,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 10,
Formative Assessment Hours 2,
Summative Assessment Hours 13,
Revision Session Hours 2,
Other Study Hours 10,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
28 )
|
| Additional Information (Learning and Teaching) |
Other Study Hours 10 (weekly reflection exercises) + 42 offline self-study
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
60 %,
Coursework
40 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
40% coursework, 60% written exam |
| Feedback |
Students will receive in-person feedback on their progress through and approach to the course in small-group tutorials. They will also be given written and/or in-person feedback on reflective exercises and receive automated feedback on weekly online exercises and quizzes. Feedback on the cohort's performance will be given at weekly lectures and plenary sessions. |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Minutes |
|
| Main Exam Diet S1 (December) | Transition to University Mathematics for Physics Dec Exam | 120 | | | Resit Exam Diet (August) | Transition to University Mathematics for Physics Resit | 00 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Reflect on their own learning to diagnose gaps in understanding and analyse where improvements can be made to study habits.
- Take action to fill those gaps and to develop more effective study habits.
- Apply a wide range of foundational techniques from algebra and calculus to standard problems.
- Select an appropriate method for solving a problem, and execute it methodically.
- Identify and apply a variety of strategies to check a solution is correct without referring to a given answer.
|
Reading List
| To be determined |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Students will learn reflect upon their learning style and modify it in light of that reflection. They will develop the ability to work in groups. They will learn how to effectively interact with a range of sources of information and support, e.g., textbooks, lecturers, fellow students, on-line fora. |
| Keywords | Algebra,calculus,pre-calculus,foundation level,TUMP,reflection |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Richard Blythe
Tel: (0131 6)50 5105
Email: |
Course secretary | Mr Kieran Brodie
Tel:
Email: |
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