Exploring mathematics
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| Examination | No residential school |
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Summary
Exploring mathematics builds on the concepts and techniques in Using mathematics (MST121) and uses the same software. It looks at questions underlying some of those techniques, such as why particular patterns occur in mathematical solutions and how you can be confident that a result is true. It introduces the role of reasoning and offers opportunities to investigate mathematical problems. Together with Using mathematics this course will give you a good foundation for higher-level mathematics and physics courses. Even if you don't intend to study further, you will gain a good, university-level understanding of the nature and scope of mathematics.
Course content
Exploring mathematics offers both a way in to honours-level mathematics and deeper insights into the mathematics that supports other areas of study. It rounds off the suite of courses designed to provide a rich and enlightening introduction to mathematical ideas and techniques.
This course builds on the approach and design of the University’s Level 1 course Using mathematics (MST121), extending the mathematical concepts and techniques (to cover more calculus, for example), the range of applications, and use of the course software. It looks at questions underlying some of the methods from MST121, such as why particular patterns occur in mathematical solutions, and how you can be confident that a result is true. It introduces the role of reasoning in mathematics, and offers opportunities to investigate mathematical questions for yourself. By the end of the course you will have encountered many of the topics that are developed in later mathematics courses, in particular in our main second level courses Pure mathematics (M208), and Mathematical methods and models (MST209). It also provides a good mathematical basis for courses in physics and engineering.
There are four sections, with each of the first three revisiting and developing the ideas introduced in the corresponding section in MST121. An important theme that runs through the course is mathematical reasoning.
Work on numbers and sequences is extended to Fibonacci and related sequences; that on circles is extended to the study of other conic sections. There is further exploration of the properties of functions and matrices, including applications in transformation geometry. The computer is used to help with important ideas of iteration in discrete mathematics. The ideas of calculus are extended to include more sophisticated techniques of differentiation and integration and use in the approximation of functions using Taylor series.
The last section of the course introduces important mathematical ideas, such as complex numbers, number theory and groups, that are built on in later courses. It concludes with a chapter on the role of proof in mathematics.
The course also develops more general skills such as communication of mathematical ideas, which will be useful in studying later courses.
Entry
This course is the third part of the mathematics entry suite that starts with Discovering mathematics (MU123) and goes on to Using mathematics (MST121) and MS221. Your choice of which to take depends on how much mathematical knowledge you already have and on the degree you have in mind. It is not advisable to take either MST121 or MS221 in the same year as MU123, and you should not take MS221 before studying MST121.
If you start in February it is possible to study MST121 and MS221 together in a single year, as if they were a 60-point course, since the material in the two is linked. They have been designed with this possibility in mind, so the assessment is appropriately spaced. However, we should recommend doing this only if you have plenty of study time – including time to study the MST121 preparatory materials – and you have a high level of confidence and fluency with algebraic manipulation obtained, for example, as part of an A-Level (or equivalent) in mathematics. Otherwise, it would be better to take them consecutively rather than together, although if you start with MST121 in October, you could study MS221 the following February with a relatively small overlap. If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, or about choosing the most suitable mathematics entry course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service and ask for the leaflet Maths Choices, or look at the Maths Choices website.
Qualifications
MS221 is a compulsory course in our
- BA/BSc (Honours) Mathematics (B31)
- BA/BSc (Honours) Computing and Statistics (B34)
- BA/BSc (Honours) Mathematics and Statistics (B36)
- BSc (Honours) Mathematics and its Learning (B46)
MS221 is an optional course in our
- Certificate in Mathematics (C46)*
- BA/BSc (Honours) Computing and Mathematical Sciences (B14)
- BA/BSc (Honours) Economics and Mathematical Sciences (B15)
- BSc (Honours) Physical Science (B27)
- BSc (Honours) Secondary Education in Physics (B56)
- Diploma in Physical Science (E04)
We recommend that you take MST121 and MS221 at an early stage in any degree which has a substantial mathematical content.
*You need to pass only two courses out of the three courses MU123, MST121 and MS221 to gain this certificate.
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it is equally appropriate to a BA or BSc. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
Excluded combinations
Sometimes you will not be able to count a course towards a qualification if you have already taken another course with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this course, visit our excluded combination finder or check with our Student Registration & Enquiry Service before registering.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
An integral part of study on this course is the use of specific software, which includes on-screen graphs and mathematical notation. Parts of this course are delivered online and through a CD-ROM so you will need to spend considerable amounts of time using a personal computer. If you use specialist hardware or software to assist you in operating a computer or accessing the internet and have any concerns about accessing the types of course materials outlined you are advised to talk to our Student Registration & Enquiry Service about support which can be given to meet your needs.
Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of the printed course materials are available. However some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and mathematical materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. The course materials are also available on audio in DAISY Digital Talking Book format. Written transcripts are available for the audio-visual material. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting Your Needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Course books, computer software on CD-ROM, audio CD, DVD (for video material), course website.
You will need
Audio CD and video DVD playback facilities; scientific or graphics calculator.
You require internet access at least once a week during the course to download course resources and to keep up to date with course news.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave. Some of your course software will be provided on disk.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new Windows computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual. Please note that you can use an Apple Mac or Linux computer if you can run Windows using Boot Camp or similar.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the course material, mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. We may also be able to offer group tutorials or day schools that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course. Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
Please note that TMAs for all undergraduate mathematics and statistics courses must be submitted on paper as – due to technical reasons – we are unable to accept TMAs via our eTMA system.
Each TMA typically consists of six questions, covering one Block of the course. Each of the questions typically involves some calculation, algebraic manipulation, creating and/or interpreting a graph, some written work to explain your interpretations and conclusions, and may involve using the course software and providing printouts. The first TMA is to be submitted about eight weeks after the start of the course.
The examination contains two parts. The first consists of short answer questions covering the whole of the course. The second contains longer questions, one on each Block, and you are required to attempt up to two of these.
Assessment is an essential part of the teaching, so you are expected to complete it all. But if you unavoidably miss or do badly in an assignment, in MS221 you are allowed a ‘substitution score’ for one assignment only. You will be given more detailed information when you begin the course.
Professional recognition
This course may help you to gain recognition from a professional body. You can download our Recognition leaflets 3.3 Professional Engineering Institutions and 3.7 Computing or ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for a copy.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in February 2010. We expect it to be available at the same time once a year.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
An undergraduate course in Engineering and Technology, Mathematics and Statistics and Science.
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