Discovering mathematics
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| 5 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | 5 Interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs) |
| No residential school |
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This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees may vary by country.
Summary
This introductory course will help you to integrate mathematical ideas into your everyday thinking and build your confidence in using and learning mathematics. You’ll cover statistical, graphical, algebraic, trigonometric and numerical concepts and techniques, and be introduced to mathematical modelling. Formal calculus is not included and you are not expected to have any previous knowledge of algebra. The skills introduced will be ideal if you plan to study more mathematics courses, such as Using mathematics (MST121). It is also suitable for users of mathematics in other areas, such as computing, science, technology, social science, humanities, business and education.
Course content
In order to study the course successfully you should expect to be doing mathematical activities, rather than just reading. You will also be encouraged to develop skills in interpreting and explaining mathematics, and this aspect of the course will be assessed in some of the assignment questions.
There are samples of the course material, including example assessment questions, available from our Maths Choices website.
Providing you have the appropriate background knowledge (see Entry), you should expect to spend about eight hours a week studying the course. Many of the topics covered in the course depend on your understanding of topics in earlier units. So, if you have not fully understood earlier material, you may find later material more difficult and time consuming. This is particularly true of graphs, formulas and algebra. Naturally, the study time required for the course tends to increase before an assignment deadline.
You will learn
During the course, you will learn about:
- key ideas in mathematics, including some statistics, algebra, geometry and trigonometry
- mathematical vocabulary and notation introduced and developed in the course
- selection and use of mathematical techniques for solving problems
- interpretation of results in the context of real life situations
- simple mathematical arguments
- how to explain mathematical ideas from the course in writing
- development of skills in learning mathematics
- use of relevant ICT tools for learning and for working on mathematical problems
- describing problems mathematically
- analysing mathematical reasoning.
Entry
You are strongly advised to have successfully studied Starting with maths (Y162), or to have recently attained an equivalent level in mathematics, before commencing MU123. In particular, you should be confident with the following topics, which are covered in Y162:
- arithmetic of numbers, including negative numbers and fractions
- scientific notation for numbers (sometimes known as standard form)
- powers of numbers including square roots
- using your scientific calculator effectively for the above topics, and for working with brackets and π
- using simple word formulas
- drawing and interpreting simple charts and graphs.
You are not expected to have any skills in algebra before the course starts.
It is essential that you establish whether or not your background and experience give you a sound basis on which to tackle the course, since students who are appropriately prepared have the best chance of completing their studies successfully and get the most enjoyment out of the course. If you have recently studied towards a GCSE in mathematics, and understand the topics listed above, you should be reasonably well prepared to start MU123. However, you are advised to follow the recommendations given in the Preparatory work section below.
MU123 is part of the mathematics entry suite, leading to Using mathematics (MST121) and Exploring mathematics (MS221). Your choice of which of the three to take depends on how much mathematical knowledge you already have and on the degree you have in mind. You should start with MU123 if you’re not confident with algebra and trigonometry to the level of a good pass in the highest-level GCSE mathematics, or equivalent, and then go on to MST121.
For advice about where to begin your Level 1 study in maths, depending on your previous background and experience, please look at our Maths Choices website. The website also contains a self-assessment quiz to help you decide if MU123 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 suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Preparatory work
Before starting the course it is recommended that you work through some of the free and open educational resources from the Maths Help website, where there is a module to help you to refresh your knowledge of each of the following topics:
- Numbers, units and arithmetic
- Rounding and estimation
- Ratio, proportion and percentages
- Squares, roots and powers
- Diagrams, charts and graphs
- Language, notation and formulas
- Geometry.
Alternatively, you could study any textbook that covers the same topics.
Qualifications
MU123 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)
- Diploma of Higher Education in ICT (E39)
- 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)
- Foundation Degree in Information and Communication Technologies (G04)
- Foundation Degree in Computing and its Practice (G06)
- Foundation Degree in Business (G07)
- Foundation Degree in Business (G07)
- BA (Honours) Business Studies (B04)
- BSc (Honours) Physical Science (B27)
- BSc (Honours) Computing (B29)
- BSc (Honours) Information and Communication Technologies (B38)
- BSc (Honours) Computing with Psychological Studies (B49)
- BA (Hons) Leadership and Management (B54)
* You only need to successfully complete any two courses out of MU123, MST121 and MS221 to gain this certificate.
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level (including named degrees in Mathematics and Mathematics and Statistics), 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
By its nature mathematics is a visual subject, and MU123 will contain considerable amounts of mathematical notation and graphs, and other forms of diagram. If you have a visual impairment or limited manual dexterity you may experience difficulties with some of the course activities and assessment questions which involve the interactive use of ICT or which have a high graphical content.
It is important to note that use of the online activities and resources, which include on-screen dynamically-changing 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, and some of your assignments will be interactive and online.
Written transcripts of any audio and video components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. 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. Large print versions of the course materials can be provided on request. Other alternative formats of the course materials may be available in the future. 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, DVD, and a dedicated course website containing online activities and resources.
You will need
A scientific calculator. We recommend any Casio scientific calculator with 'natural display', as these enable you to key in calculations in the same order as they usually appear in written text, and have a two-line display so that you can see both your calculation and the answer. Some instructions for using the Casio fx-83ES, and compatible models, are provided in the course materials. Any other scientific calculator is also acceptable provided that you know how to use it before the course starts, and you have access to the appropriate calculator manual (these are often available to download from the manufacturer’s website). Please note that you do not need to have a graphics or programmable calculator to study MU123.
You will require access to the internet at least once a week during the course to download course resources and assignments, keep up to date with course news and to access the interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs).
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new 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.
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 who 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 local group tutorials or day schools that you are strongly encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course. Some tutors may offer online group tutorials in addition to or instead of face-to-face tutorials.
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 final TMA covers the whole of the course, and is compulsory if you wish to pass the course.
The first iCMA, covering Unit 1 of the course, is to be submitted about two weeks after the start of the course. The first TMA is to be submitted about a month after the start of the course.
TMA questions typically involve calculating, creating and/or interpreting a graph or diagram, using algebra, and explaining your work and conclusions. The latter is one factor that makes MU123 a university-level course and it is a new approach for some students, who may find it challenging initially. Some TMAs may also include a short question covering a wider aspect of studying maths. As there is no examination, the final TMA aims to consolidate your learning across different aspects of the course.
Professional recognition
MU123 provides the basic mathematics requirement for Initial Teaching Training via the Open University’s Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (C71). It is also usually accepted as an equivalent acceptable qualification to GCSE grade C in mathematics by other teacher training institutions. This course may help you to gain recognition from a professional body: ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for a relevant Recognition leaflet.
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in February 2010. We expect it to be available twice a year, in February and October.
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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