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MAT-10049 - Module Specification
School of Computing and Mathematics
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2022/23 Last Updated: 19 January 2023

MAT-10049 - Investigations and Problem Solving
Coordinator: Paul Ledger Tel: +44 1782 7 33251
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 4
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 733075

Programme/Approved Electives for 2022/23

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2022/23

This module is designed to aid the transition from A Level Mathematics (or equivalent) to degree level mathematics.
At A Level, students are presented with highly structured questions having been taught the specific processes required to solve them. In this module, students will be presented with unfamiliar and less structured problems which may be open to several different approaches.
The module enhances students' employability skills through teamwork on a project.

Aims
The first aim of this module is to develop students' problem solving abilities that are essential to success in a single-honours mathematics degree, but that are not developed at Level 3. Specifically, students' ability to solve unfamiliar and less structured problems which may be open to several different approaches.
The second aim of this module is to develop students' employability skills in key areas such as presentations, working in a team and computer literacy, providing students with key elements of their journey through their degree programme.

Intended Learning Outcomes

1,2
1,2
create strategies to solve problems, presenting solutions to meet short deadlines: communicate, in an appropriate form, mathematical results to a variety of audiences: 1,2
demonstrate their team working, communication and organisational skills: 2
make judgements and evaluate different approaches to solving problems:

Study hours

96 hours classes, including: lectures, group work, computer labs., tutorials and coursework preparation. The numbers of lectures and classes will vary from week to week.
24 hours exercise preparation.
180 hours private study.

School Rules

A Level Mathematics (or equivalent)

Description of Module Assessment

1: Assignment weighted 40%
Four mathematical assignments.
Four equally weighted assignments, three done in the first semester and one in the second semester. The assignments require the solution of unstructured mathematical problems and the presentation of a formal written solution produced using a suitable computer package. The assignments cover both theoretical and practical aspects of the module. An unseen problem requires a suitable computer-based analysis before the final solution is presented as a formal written solution produced using a suitable computer package. Each assignment's length will not exceed two sides of A4, not including appendices, but including figures and tables. Formatting guides will be provided.

2: Group Project weighted 60%
Three group projects.
There will be three equally weighted group projects which will be attempted in the second semester. Project one involves the working as a group to solve and report on a collection of mathematical problems; project two involves creating a poster and five-minute video presentation; project three will involve a group presentation. Project one's duration will be one week, whereas project two and three's duration will be three weeks each. Formatting guidelines for reports, posters and presentations will be provided. The presentation's length should not exceed ten minutes.

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 19 January 2023