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MAT-30029 - Module Specification
School of Computing and Mathematics
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2021/22 Last Updated: 16 February 2022

MAT-30029 - Professional Mathematics
Coordinator: David Bedford Room: N/A Tel: +44 1782 7 33468
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733075

Programme/Approved Electives for 2021/22

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2021/22

This module gives the opportunity to further develop skills of mathematical problem solving and application of mathematical results to real-world scenarios through group work activities. This aims to develop skills that are needed when undertaking employment or research, such as working in depth on a problem over an extended period, writing reports, communicating mathematical results to different audiences and working in collaboration with others. This module will provide employability skills experiences and develop students¿ ability to articulate their skills, which will be useful to draw on when applying for jobs. The skills developed form parts of a student¿s Keele Journey experience.

Aims
The module's first aim is to further develop students¿ problem-solving abilities and ability to select techniques and apply mathematical knowledge to authentic work-style situations. Specifically, within this aim, the module aims:
(i) to develop students¿ ability to solve a problem in depth over an extended period and produce reports;
(ii) to develop students¿ ability to communicate mathematical results to audiences of differing technical ability, including other mathematicians, business clients and the general public;
(iii) to develop an appreciation of how groups operate, different roles in group work, and the different skills required to successfully operate as a team;
(iv) to develop their professionalism.
The second aim of this module is to develop students' employability skills in key areas such as writing CVs and covering letters, online testing and public speaking.

Intended Learning Outcomes

analyse problems arising from real-world phenomena and apply appropriate mathematical techniques and knowledge to formulate solutions: 2
communicate mathematical results in a variety of formats and to audiences of differing technical ability: 2
2
identify and articulate the employability skills they have developed during their degree: 2
develop a piece of in depth work over an extended period of time, and create a report on the outcome:

Study hours

36 hours classes. The balance between these activities will vary from week to week, including presentations, group work and individual activities.
15 hours individual exercise preparation.
30 hours working in groups outside classes.
69 hours private study.

School Rules

Level 5 Mathematics or equivalent.

Description of Module Assessment

1: Portfolio weighted 30%
A short portfolio of employability skills
The portfolio consists of a series of elements. Following the completion of a formative skills audit, and a session designed jointly with the careers service, students produce a CV and covering letter to apply for a mock graduate job. They then complete a 12-minute online numeracy test (of the type used by many graduate employers) and a 90-minute assessment centre task modelled on that used by the Civil Service. 1) Students create a CV suitable for a graduate scheme application. 2) Students complete a "mock" graduate scheme application, including competency-based questions. The total length of the portfolio is equivalent to 1000 words.

2: Group Project weighted 30%
Extended Group Project (approximately 4 weeks)
Group project 1 focuses on a graduate-level business task that they complete in three weeks. The groups must communicate the results to audiences of different technical ability via a report and presentation. The group's report will not exceed ten sides of A4, not including appendices, but including figures and tables. A separate submission must include an initial project plan, record of collective decision making via minutes of meetings, and reflection on individual contribution. Formatting guides will be provided. The presentation's length will not exceed ten minutes, not including questions. Individual contributions to group work will be assessed using tutor-moderated self- and peer-assessment.

3: Group Project weighted 40%
Extended Group Project (approximately 5 weeks)
Group project 2 focuses on teams bidding for a "contract". To bid for this contract, each team must demonstrate their suitability by completing a five-week task. The output of this task is a tending document and presentation suitable for their business client. The group's tender document will not exceed ten sides of A4, not including appendices, but including figures and tables. A separate submission must include an initial project plan, record of collective decision making via minutes of meetings, and reflection on individual contribution. Formatting guides will be provided. The presentation's length will not exceed ten minutes, not including questions. Throughout the group projects Individual contributions to group work will be assessed using tutor-moderated self- and peer-assessment.

Please note that for the 2021/22 Academic Year all programmes will be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there will 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: 16 February 2022