Module BIC-0011:
Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences

Module Facts

Run by Bangor University International College

10.000 Credits or 5.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 1 & 2

Organiser: Mrs Laura McKenzie

Overall aims and purpose

1) To introduce students from a range of backgrounds to the mathematical knowledge and aptitude that they will be expected to deploy and demonstrate in their degree studies

2) To ensure that students understand and can use appropriate mathematical language and understand mathematical notation, conventions and units

3) To develop students’ algebraic skills to aid in mathematical modelling and problem solving

4) To introduce students to basic statistical concepts, topics and methods

Course content

The main topics covered are:

a) Arithmetic – calculation of lengths, area and volumes

b) Algebra – indices, algebraic fractions, transposing formulae, linear and quadratic equations

c) Functions, coordinates, graphs

d) Statistics – mean, mode, median, standard deviation

e) Probability distributions, including Normal Distributiong

f) Estimation, correlation and regression

Assessment Criteria

excellent

Grade A

Student has produced a consistently high level of work in all aspects of the module and has an outstanding grasp of the material and techniques studied. The level of attainment achieved suggests the student will have no problem in mastering the mathematical content of an undergraduate degree programme in business or the social sciences.

good

Grade B

Student has worked effectively in most aspects of the module and has a sound grasp of the material and techniques studied. The level of attainment achieved suggests the student with have little problem in mastering the mathematical content of an undergraduate degree programme in business or the social sciences.

threshold

Grade D

Student has attained a satisfactory grasp of the material and techniques studied and achieved at a level which indicates ability to cope with the mathematical content of an undergraduate degree programme in business or the social sciences.

Learning outcomes

  1. Apply their mathematical knowledge to solving a range of theoretical and practical problems

  2. Demonstrate an understanding of statistical concepts, terms and methods

  3. Demonstrate an understanding of mathematical language, notation and units

  4. Present mathematical data in a visual form using tables, pie charts, bar charts, graphs frequency distributions and histograms

  5. Make inferences from their interpretation of mathematical information

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
Interim class test 1 15.00
Interim class test 2 15.00
Final exam 70.00

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Seminar

50 hours of seminar style classes – 5 per week over a 10-week term

 50
Private study

Develop good independent learning habits through peer-assisted learning and individual work based on topics covered in class and presented on the VLE

 50

Transferable skills

  • Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team

Subject specific skills

  • Demonstrate numeracy skills required as a basis for further studies in Economics, Financial Accounting and Management
  • Demonstrate an understanding and ability to apply concepts, principles and theories underpinning physics, mathematics and computing to relevant situations
  • Apply numeracy skills required as a basis for further studies in the Social Sciences; such as using statistical models

Resources

Reading list

Bostock, L and Chandler, S (2013) Core Mathematics for Advanced Level (3rd Ed.) Nelson Thornes Ltd., Cheltenham

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses: