Using mathematics
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| 5 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | 3 Computer-marked assignments (CMAs) |
| No examination | No residential school |
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This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees may vary by country.
Summary
This broad, enjoyable introduction to university-level mathematics shows how mathematics can be applied to answer questions from science, technology, and everyday life. You will study a range of fundamental techniques, including recurrence relations, matrices and vectors, calculus and statistics. Using software (primarily Mathcad) is an integral part of the course, and you will learn how the speed and accuracy of a computer can be employed to solve practical problems. The skills of communicating results and defining problems are also developed. This course and Exploring mathematics (MS221) will together give you a good foundation for higher-level mathematics and physics courses.
Course content
A few weeks before the course begins you’ll receive a Revision Pack, including two assignments (see Preparatory Work below) – to help you revise the mathematical skills you need before you start the course – so you are advised to register early.
The course begins with Starting points, which features a first exploration of the main software package applied to some basic mathematical material. The rest of the course is in four sections.
Mathematics and modelling starts from situations in the world that can be modelled by mathematical techniques. The models use such mathematics as the properties and representations of arithmetic and geometric sequences, lines and circles, and functions such as x2, sin x, cos x and ex.
Discrete modelling deals with population models and their long-term behaviour, and introduces the arithmetic of matrices and vectors in order to examine the interdependence of different subpopulations. Vectors are also used to model problems involving various physical quantities, such as forces.
Continuous models covers calculus and introduces the process of differentiation. Derivatives are obtained for many functions, and these are used to model motion and to solve optimisation problems. Next we look at integration, first as the reverse of differentiation and then as the limit of an infinite sum. A list of standard integrals is obtained, and these are applied to solve simple differential equations, to find areas, and in other modelling contexts.
Modelling uncertainty is about probability and statistics. A chapter on chance invokes intuitive ideas of randomness and adds to your experience of thinking about probability through the use of purpose-designed software. This is followed by computer-aided exploration of sampling and sampling distributions and by an examination of regression.
The course also develops skills beyond mathematical technique, such as identifying and defining problems and communicating the results of your mathematical work – these are required for the effective application of mathematics to solve problems.
There are samples of the course material, including example assessment questions, available at the Maths Choices website.
The course introduces the use of computer software to help your mathematics. This is an integral part of its approach, so you will need regular and convenient access to a suitable personal computer.
Entry
The course assumes that you already have a good knowledge and understanding of:
- the arithmetic of whole numbers, decimals and fractions (including negative numbers, powers and roots);
- algebraic manipulation, such as multiplying out brackets, factorisation of simple expressions, interpreting inequalities and solving linear and quadratic equations;
- properties of triangles, rectangles and circles;
- the trigonometric ratios sine, cosine and tangent;
- equations of straight lines;
- quadratic, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions, and their graphs.
A mathematical A-level, or a good pass in the highest-level GCSE mathematics (or the equivalent), would normally provide this. If all you need is a reminder of some of these topics, you can use the MST121 Revision Pack to revise them. However, if much of the list is unfamiliar, you should consider taking MST121 after completing our Level 1 course Open mathematics (MU120). MST121 relies on a very good understanding of at least the first fourteen (of sixteen) units of MU120, or equivalent from previous study.
MST121 is the second course in the mathematics entry suite, following on from Open mathematics (MU120) and leading to Exploring mathematics (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 MU120, and you should not take MS221 before MST121.
If you start in January, 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 courses is linked. They have been designed with this possibility in mind, so the assessment is appropriately spaced. However, we would recommend doing this only if you have plenty of study time – including time to study the MST121 Revision Pack – 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. A third option is to start MST121 in October and MS221 in February, which means that the courses will overlap for a few months. The assessment is not designed with this in mind, if you do this you may find that you have deadlines close together. If you have any doubt about the level of study, or about choosing the most suitable mathematics entry course with which you should start, please seek advice from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service and ask for the leaflet Maths Choices, or look at the Maths Choices website.
The Maths Choices leaflet and website also contain a self-assessment quiz to help you decide if MST121 is the right course for you.
Level 1 courses provide core subject knowledge and study skills needed for both higher education and distance learning, to help you progress to courses at Level 2. If you have any doubt about the level of study, please seek advice from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Preparatory work
A few weeks before the course begins you will be sent a Revision Pack (based to some extent on Open mathematics (MU120)) and a self-assessment quiz to help you judge what preparation you need to do.
You will also be sent two assignments which assess the mathematics covered in the Revision Pack. It is not compulsory to submit these assignments, and the scores that you obtain will not count in any way towards your final course result, but you are advised to submit them because they give you an opportunity to receive feedback on your mathematical skills and on the way you present your work. One of the assignments is marked by computer and you are advised to submit it during the four weeks before the start of the course. The other assignment is marked by your tutor, and you are advised to submit it during the two weeks before the start of the course.
If you want to do some study before you receive the revision material, we suggest Countdown to Mathematics: Volume 1 by Lynne Graham and David Sargent (1981, Addison-Wesley). Modules 2 and 3, in particular, provide practice in algebra. To gain even greater fluency with algebra and in trigonometry, you could use the companion book Countdown to Mathematics: Volume 2 (authors, date and publisher as above). It is worth trying some examples from each module of Volume 2, but there is a lot of material, so don’t expect to work through every exercise in every section.
Qualifications
MST121 is a compulsory course in our
- BA/BSc (Honours) Economics and Mathematical Sciences (B15)
- BA/BSc (Honours) Mathematics (B31)
- BSc (Honours) Mathematics and its Learning (B46)
- BA/BSc (Honours) Computing and Statistics (B34)
- BA/BSc (Honours) Mathematics and Statistics (B36)
- BSc (Honours) Secondary Education in Physics (B56)
MST121 is an optional course in our
- Certificate in Mathematics (C46)*
- Certificate in Computing and Mathematics (C50)
- Certificate in Quantitative Studies for Business (C56)
- Certificate in Business Studies (C63)
- Certificate of Higher Education in Social Sciences (C95)
- BA (Hons) Leadership and Management (B54)
- BA/BSc (Honours) Computing and Mathematical Sciences (B14)
- BSc (Honours) Computing (B29)
- BA (Honours) Business Studies (B04)
- BSc (Honours) Physical Science (B27)
- BSc (Honours) Information and Communication Technologies (B38)
- BSc (Honours) Computing with Psychological Studies (B49)
- Foundation Degree in Information and Communication Technologies (G04)
- Diploma of Higher Education in ICT (E39)
- Foundation Degree in Computing and its Practice (G06)
- Foundation Degree in Business (G07)
- Foundation Degree in Leadership and Management (G08)
- Foundation Degree in Materials Fabrication and Engineering (G18)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Computing and its Practice (E41)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Business (E42)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Leadership and Management (E43)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Social Sciences (E50)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Materials Fabrication and Engineering (E56)
We recommend that you take MST121 at an early stage in any degree which has a substantial mathematical content.
*You only need to successfully complete any two courses out of the three courses MU120, 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
We are trying to make the course materials accessible to as many people as possible. The course makes considerable use of audio and video material and transcripts for these are available. All the printed course material is available in comb-bound format. Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are also available. However some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and formula, diagrams and certain mathematical elements may be particularly difficult to read in this way. The course materials are available on audio in DAISY Digital Talking Book format. Other formats may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
It is important to note that use of the course software, which includes on-screen graphs and mathematical notation, will be an integral part of your study. You will need to spend considerable amounts of time using a personal computer. 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, audio CD, DVD (for video material), CD-ROM and course website.
You will need
Audio CD and video DVD playback facilities. Any scientific or graphics calculator.
You require access to the internet at least once a week during the course to download course resources and assignments, submit assignments 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 and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. If you are new to the OU, you will find that your tutor is particularly concerned to help you with your study methods. 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.
The assessment during the course consists of three tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) and one computer-marked assignment (CMA) (all approximately six weeks apart), and, at the end of the course, a further consolidation TMA and CMA. (There is also a TMA and a CMA, associated with the revision material, but your scores for these do not count towards your course result.) All TMAs are to be submitted on paper, and CMAs must be submitted online using our eCMA system.
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 MST121 you are allowed a ‘substitution score’ for one of the first three TMAs 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 October 2009 and January 2010. We expect it to be available at the same time twice 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.
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An undergraduate course in Business and Management, Computing and ICT, Engineering and Technology, Mathematics and Statistics, Science and Social Sciences.
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Student Reviews
A compulsory course for a maths degree. Won't stretch a good A-level student, but a good place to start and ...
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