Further Mathematics

Further Mathematics – A-Level Qualification

Examining Body:

OCR

Entry Criteria:

Grade 7 GCSE Mathematics

Course Leader:

Mr D Miles

The calculator we recommend for this course is the Casio FX-991CW. It is not necessary to purchase an expensive graphical calculator

Why? :

In research published by the Department of Education in November 2019, 24 year olds who studied Further Mathematics A level were shown to have considerably higher earnings that people of the same age who made other A level choices. We are pleased to have the expertise to offer this subject with an unbroken record of strong results stretching back for more than 20 years. NB to study A level Further Mathematics you must also study A level Mathematics. If you hope to go on to read a degree that is rich in mathematics such as architecture, computer science, chemistry, economics, engineering, finance, mathematics, physics or statistics, this subject will give you an edge. It is compulsory for some courses at prestigious universities and a number of institutions make lower offers to those who study it. If you have thrived on the grade 7 to grade 9 topics at GCSE, you will enjoy developing your skills further.

Course Structure:

Further Mathematics is examined at the end of two years by four equallyweighted 90 minute written papers. The two Pure Core papers are compulsory:
• Pure Core 1

• Pure Core 2 - These will be supplemented by at least two Optional Papers from:

• Statistics
• Mechanics
• Discrete Mathematics
• Additional Pure Mathematics

If a candidate takes more than two Optional Papers, the best two results count. The Pure Core modules cover proof, algebra, functions, calculus, vectors, differential equations, complex numbers, matrices, polar coordinates and hyperbolic functions. The Statistics module covers combinatorics, probability distributions for discrete and continuous random variables, various statistical tests, correlation and regression. The Mechanics module covers dimensional analysis, work, energy, power, impulse, momentum, centres of mass, circular motion and variable force. The Discrete Mathematics module covers counting, graphs and networks, algorithms, critical path analysis, linear programming and game theory. The Additional Pure Mathematics module covers recurrence relations, number theory, group theory, the vector product, surfaces and partial differentiation

Extended Learning:

Exam question style assessments will be set at the end of topics and marked using exam criteria. You will also be expected to practise techniques to embed your knowledge and develop your understanding between lessons by completing exercises from textbooks.

Curriculum Road Map - Futher Maths