Module Information
Module Identifier
MA10720
Module Title
Career Planning and Mathematical Skills Development
Academic Year
2024/2025
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Reading List
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Presentation Individual presentation on a topic in Mathematics 10 Minutes | 15% |
| Semester Assessment | Proof Critically evaluate of mathematical proof. 400 Words | 10% |
| Semester Assessment | Group Group poster presentation on careers 200 Words | 15% |
| Semester Assessment | Bio Write a short biography of a Mathematician; training in research without plagiarising. 1000 Words | 10% |
| Semester Assessment | Python Python programming assignment 200 Words | 20% |
| Semester Assessment | Excel Spreadsheet assignment 400 Words | 15% |
| Semester Assessment | CV Students are expected to create a CV or Linked-In profile and write a cover letter for a job application, in consultation with a careers advisor. 400 Words | 15% |
| Supplementary Assessment | 0 Hours Supplementary As determined by the exam board | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Work individually to research and present a topic in Mathematics.
Use software packages to produce simple documents such as a Curriculum Vitae, a presentation or a poster.
Critically evaluate proofs in Mathematics
Work in groups to research and present information about Mathematics careers.
Understand how to apply for a job, highlighting skills and experience to a potential employer.
Set up, or modify a spreadsheet to do various calculations, produce summaries, visualise the data and results.
Write and debug computer programs to solve mathematics problems and visualize graphs.
Brief description
On this module student will discuss the skills and preparation necessary to successfully study a degree in Mathematics. They will be introduced to an important area of mathematics such as formal proof or problem solving. On an individual basis, students will prepare and make a short presentation on a topic in Mathematics.
Students will be introduced to computer programming through a range of software packages: word-processing software, presentation software, spreadsheets and formal programming in Python. It will use simple ideas in mathematics to illustrate simple uses of the software and skills in the workplace.
The Careers Service will provide a careers awareness programme during which each student prepares a letter of introduction and establishes an online Curriculum Vitae. Working in teams, students will research the careers available to graduates in their discipline and the relation of the skills they acquire in their course to these careers. Each team will together produce a poster presentation on their findings, making use of the software to which they have been introduced.
Students will be introduced to computer programming through a range of software packages: word-processing software, presentation software, spreadsheets and formal programming in Python. It will use simple ideas in mathematics to illustrate simple uses of the software and skills in the workplace.
The Careers Service will provide a careers awareness programme during which each student prepares a letter of introduction and establishes an online Curriculum Vitae. Working in teams, students will research the careers available to graduates in their discipline and the relation of the skills they acquire in their course to these careers. Each team will together produce a poster presentation on their findings, making use of the software to which they have been introduced.
Aims
The module provides an opportunity to develop a selection of both mathematical, computational, study and transferable skills designed to enhance students' learning experience and employment prospects.
Content
Study Skills for Mathematicians: a discussion of different learning environments and ways of presenting Mathematics.
Word-processing Presentation software packages (Latex, Powerpoint): introduction, simple documents, formatting, mathematical expressions, presentations.
Mathematical proof: critical evaluation of methods of proof.
Individual presentation on a topic in Mathematics.
Skills awareness programme, including advice on the preparation of an introductory letter and CV, run by the Careers Service.
Group poster presentations on the relation between the skills acquired by Mathematicians and the careers available to them.
Spreadsheets: overview, entering and formatting information, formulae and functions, manipulating and visualizing a (large) dataset.
Programming: basic introduction to python and the principles of computer programming, with some visualisation.
Word-processing Presentation software packages (Latex, Powerpoint): introduction, simple documents, formatting, mathematical expressions, presentations.
Mathematical proof: critical evaluation of methods of proof.
Individual presentation on a topic in Mathematics.
Skills awareness programme, including advice on the preparation of an introductory letter and CV, run by the Careers Service.
Group poster presentations on the relation between the skills acquired by Mathematicians and the careers available to them.
Spreadsheets: overview, entering and formatting information, formulae and functions, manipulating and visualizing a (large) dataset.
Programming: basic introduction to python and the principles of computer programming, with some visualisation.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Co-ordinating with others | Work leading to the group presentation is done in teams. |
| Creative Problem Solving | Problem solving skills are developed in this module in dealing with proofs, with the spreadsheet and programming assignments, and in preparing for the presentation of a topic in Mathematics or Physics. |
| Critical and analytical thinking | Analytical skills are required in undertaking research for the biography assignment and the individual presentation, and in researching the skills needed for various forms of employment. |
| Professional communication | Written communication is developed and tested by the written assignments and the CV. Verbal communication is developed and tested by the presentations. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Mathematical skills are developed in evaluating proofs. Numerical/visualization concepts and techniques are addressed in connection with spreadsheet and computer programming. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4