Module manager: Prof Adam Nelson
Email: a.s.nelson@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
GCSE Mathematics (or equivalent)
CHEM1181 NATS1380 NATS2380
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Mathematical knowledge and skills are essential for the successful training of scientists and important for the professional life of scientists. This module will be taken by science students who do not have grade B or above in A level mathematics (or equivalent). Its aim will be to equip students with A level mathematics skills that will be valuable in the early stages of their programmes.
On completion of this module, students should have gained confidence and proficiency in a set of mathematical manipulations appropriate to the study of science and be able to apply these to scientific problems.
The topics of study will be discussed in lectures and extensively practiced via problem solving in workshops and coursework.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes:
1. Perform basic algebraic manipulations and calculations, including applications of basic (polynomial, trigonometric, exponential, logarithmic) functions.
2. Rearrange and solve linear or quadratic equations as well as pairs of simultaneous linear equations. Represent functions graphically and retrieve quantitative information from plots of functions
3. Familiarity with vectors and their basic manipulations.
4. Differentiate basic functions and simple combinations of these functions.
5. Use differentiation to find rates of change and extrema of basic functions.
6. Integrate basic functions and simple combinations of these functions.
7. Use integration to find the areas under curves and the cumulative changes associated with basic functions.
8. Solve simple, separable first order differential equations and identify or check solutions for boundary (or initial) value problems.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
a. Work-Ready - Core Literacies: Display mathematical skills and apply mathematics in the context of everyday situations.
b. Work-Ready - Problem solving & analytical skills
Functions, including polynomial, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Solving and plotting functions. Basic vector manipulations.
Differentiation of functions and relation between derivatives and slopes or rates of change. Higher derivatives. Use of differentiation to locate minima, maxima and inflection points of functions.
Definite and indefinite integration of functions. Relation between integrals, areas under curves, and cumulative change.
Differential equations and boundary or initial value problems. Their relevance, and solution of simple cases.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workshop | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Lectures | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Independent online learning hours | 12 | ||
| Private study hours | 66 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 22 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
Workshops (problem solving, face-to-face, weekly during teaching weeks, 1 hour)
Online tests (students answers marked, and correct answers shown, at every attempt)
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | OnlineTest x3 | 25 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 25 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Open Book exam | 2.0 Hrs Mins | 75 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 75 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 28/05/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team