B46 - BSc (Honours) Mathematics and its Learning

Degree

Code: B46

Level: Undergraduate

Made up of: 360 credit points

Description

By studying for this degree, you’ll gain a grounding in pure and applied mathematics and statistics, and an understanding of what it means to learn mathematics. You will be well placed for a career in teaching mathematics, or for a career that requires communicating mathematically.

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Planning your studies

If you're new to study or to the OU, we recommend that you start at Level 1. For this degree if you are confident with your mathematics, that would mean starting with Using mathematics (MST121).

In some cases it may be advisable to start your mathematical studies with Open mathematics (MU120) or Discovering mathematics (MU123), and/or the Openings course Starting with maths (Y162). If you are unsure of whether this applies to you, please consult our Maths Choices website. You can count one of these courses towards the 30-point 'free-choice' element of the degree.

You may decide to study the Mathematics education (ME) courses such as Developing mathematical thinking at Key Stage 3 (MEXR624) at any stage. These courses will enable you to reflect on the process of learning mathematics so the mathematical content is accessible if you have completed the equivalent of GCSE in mathematics.

Mathematics is a subject in which the higher levels depend strongly on the lower ones, not only in terms of required terminology and knowledge, but in terms of acquiring experience of the mathematical approach. In general, students are more likely to successfully complete each course if they have acquired the prerequisite knowledge for that course. You are advised to study Exploring mathematics (MS221) alongside or after MST121. The courses Pure mathematics (M208) and Mathematical methods and models (MST209) (in either order) or Analysing data (M248) are the natural courses to study next, and are strongly recommended, before you study the Level 3 mathematics or statistics course required for this degree. You may wish to study the 10-point residential school course Mathematical modelling (MSXR209) alongside MST209 as part of your free choice.

You can register your intention to study for this degree when you reserve your place on individual courses, or you can ask us at any time to link courses that you have already studied towards the degree. This gives you the flexibility to delay your decision or to change your mind as your studies progress. There is no time limit for obtaining the required credit points for this qualification; however, you should note limitations on individual courses as mentioned below. You must include at least 120 points from OU courses that have not been counted in an OU diploma or other first degree you have been awarded. If you have graduated with an OU BSc degree without honours this requirement is reduced to 60 points.

It is also possible to obtain a Certificate in Mathematics (C46) and/or Diploma in Mathematics (D23) as you progress through the degree.

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Career relevance and employability

In addition to teaching, this degree will equip you with the mathematical skills and knowledge required for a range of jobs in government, business, accountancy, banking, management and administration, the voluntary sector and teaching. It will contribute to you gaining recognition from the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, a professional body. Download our Recognition leaflet 3.6 or ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for a copy. Ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for the careers publication OU study and your career if you want to find out more about the process of career development and about sources of careers information and guidance.

For planning your next career steps, visit the OU Careers Advisory Service.

There’s more information about the career relevance of degrees on the national HE Prospects website.

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Courses

For this 360-point honours degree you require:

210 points from the following compulsory courses:

Level 1 compulsory course	Points	Next start
Using mathematics (MST121) * This introduction to university-level mathematics will develop your understanding of recurrence relations, matrices and vectors, calculus, statistics, and using a computer to solve practical problems. See full description.	30	Jan 2010

Level 2 compulsory courses	Points	Next start
Analysing data (M248) Gain an understanding of statistics, and learn to make use of basic statistical concepts on this introductory course. You’ll need a good grounding in mathematics. See full description.	30	Feb 2010
Exploring mathematics (MS221) Exploring mathematics gives you a good understanding of the nature and scope of mathematics and a solid foundation for higher-level mathematics and physics courses. See full description.	30	Feb 2010
Mathematical methods and models (MST209) Solve real problems by transforming them into mathematical models and learning methods of solution, including vector algebra, differential equations, calculus, matrices and numerical methods. See full description.	60	Jan 2010
Pure mathematics (M208) This Level 2 course - for those with prior mathematical knowledge - introduces the main topics of pure mathematics: Group Theory, Linear Algebra and Analysis. See full description.	60	Jan 2010

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued courses M203, M246, MST204 or MST207

And 90 points from the following optional ME courses:

Level 3 optional ME courses	Points	Next start
Developing mathematical thinking at Key Stage 3 (MEXR624) Develop your understanding of the mathematics that underpins Key Stage 3, and explore a range of teaching approaches on this one-week residential course. See full description.	10	Jun 2010
Teaching mathematical thinking at Key Stage 3 (ME624) Develop your understanding of the teaching of mathematics at Key Stage 3, broaden your ideas about how people learn, and gain experience of teaching approaches. See full description.	20	Oct 2010 FINAL
Developing algebraic thinking (ME625) Develop your understanding how people learn and use algebra at Key Stages 2–4, and of different teaching constructs and principles. See full description.	30	Apr 2010
Developing statistical thinking (ME626) This course will help you develop your knowledge, appreciation and understanding of the learning of statistics at Key Stages 2 to 4. As well as improving your statistical thinking, you’ll learn about different teaching approaches, including use of ICT tools such as graphics calculators and computers. There is no formal examination: assessment is based on three tutor-marked assignments and an end-of-course assessment. To complete these assessments, you’ll need access to learners of statistics at Key Stages 2–4. This course can count as part of the Graduate Diploma in Mathematics Education. See full description.	30	Apr 2010
Developing geometric thinking (ME627) Develop your understanding of the learning of geometry at Key Stages 2-4, explore a range of different teaching approaches and develop your geometric thinking. See full description.	30	Oct 2010

And 30 points from the following optional mathematics courses:

Level 3 optional mathematics courses	Points	Next start
Applications of probability (M343) Discover how models can describe the occurrences of events - from a gambler’s ruin or the positions of plants, to the spread of an epidemic. See full description.	30	Feb 2010
Complex analysis (M337) This course develops the theory of functions of a complex variable, emphasising their geometric properties and indicating some applications. See full description.	30	Feb 2011 FINAL
Computer algebra, chaos and simulations (MS325) Explore and experiment with mathematics and dynamical systems using Maple, a software package that allows computers to manipulate, evaluate, and graphically visualise mathematical expressions. See full description.	30	Feb 2010
Electromagnetism (SMT359) Explore the electromagnetic fields and radiation that pervade the world around you, their encapsulation in Maxwell's equations, and how they explain dozens of interesting phenomena. See full description.		Feb 2010
Graphs, networks and design (MT365) This course is about using ideas from discrete mathematics to model problems, and representing these ideas through diagrams, showing anything from chemical bonds to transport systems. See full description.	30	Feb 2010
Groups and geometry (M336) Examine the construction, recognition and classification of geometric structures including tiling and wallpaper patterns, and algebraic entities including symmetry and other groups of low order. See full description.	30	Feb 2010
Linear statistical modelling (M346) Explore situations where a response variable depends on explanatory variables – such as how different strains of wheat compare when grown in various conditions. See full description.	30	Feb 2010
Mathematical methods and fluid mechanics (MST326) Learn about modelling simple fluid flows, ordinary and partial differential equations and mathematical methods that can be used to solve fluid-flow problems. See full description.	30	Jan 2011
Number theory and mathematical logic (M381) Gain an insight into two branches of very pure mathematics that have both historical and philosophical significance, and feel confident tackling number-theoretic problems. See full description.	30	Feb 2011
Optimization (M373) Examine techniques used in numerical analysis and operational research to represent real optimization problems as mathematical models, to be solved with a computer. See full description.	30	Feb 2011
The quantum world (SM358) Explore the fundamental laws of modern physics and how mathematics is used to state and apply them, including physical principles, mathematical techniques and quantum theory. See full description.	30	Feb 2010
Topology (M338) This course introduces both point-set and geometric topology, and covers areas including distance and continuity, topological spaces, connectedness, completeness, subdivisions and classifying surfaces. See full description.	30	Feb 2010
Waves, diffusion and variational principles (MS324) Build your understanding of waves, diffusion and variational principles by considering specific examples, learning new equation-solving techniques, and studying influential mathematicians such as Lagrange. See full description.	30	Feb 2010

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued courses MST322 and M371

To complete the 360 points needed for an honours degree, the remaining points up to a maximum of 30 points can be from any OU undergraduate courses. You must ensure that you have the required number of points at each level. Either Open mathematics (MU120) or Discovering mathematics (MU123) is highly recommended.

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Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:

Knowledge and understanding
Cognitive skills
Practical and professional skills
Key skills

Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.

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Credit for previous study elsewhere

If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution we may be able to give you credit for this study that you can count towards this Open University qualification. You can find out more on our Credit Transfer site. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of courses so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.

Credit transfer details for this qualification:

Essential Information Sheets - BSc (Honours) Mathematics and its Learning

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Classification of your degree

On successful completion of the required number and type of courses you will be awarded a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Mathematics and its Learning degree. Your honours degree will be classified either as first-class honours, upper second-class honours, lower second-class honours or third-class honours. The class of degree is determined by the best grades you achieve in a minimum of 120 and up to 240 points from those courses above Level 1 listed above. At least 120 of those points must come from courses at Level 3. You will have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony to collect your degree certificate.

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Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Award Regulations and the Student Regulations.

Award Regulations

Student Regulations

The Student Regulations (including the Code of Practice for Student Assessment and the Code of Practice for Student Discipline) are available on our Policy Documents for Students website.

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How to register

To register for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the course you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that course.

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About this page

An undergraduate qualification in Education and Mathematics and Statistics.

Study explained

Credit points: - show how much study is required to complete a course or qualification. One credit point represents roughly 10 hours of study.

Level: - indicates how difficult a course is. Undergraduate study starts at Level 1.

Financial support: - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.

Study explained: - all you need to know about studying with the OU.

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BSc (Honours) Mathematics and its Learning

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