TFCMATHS 90F : Preparatory Skills in Mathematics

Science

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Development of fundamental mathematics concepts including an understanding of arithmetic ideas as expressed in fractions, decimals and percentages, ratio and proportion, measurement and algebraic thinking. Application of these concepts in contexts such as financial literacy, problem solving, and real-life mathematics will form the basis of this course.

Course Overview

The course enables students to think critically and conceptually about the way mathematical problems are solved, in contrast to just relying on rules (that are often forgotten). Students are required to reflect on the mathematical understandings they bring with them and evaluate any new learning on a personal level. By solving real-world problems students will develop an awareness of the importance of maths, and how it impacts on many aspects of their daily lives.
Many of the contexts for this course will come from the student’s own everyday interactions or from news/sports events happening around the world. The use of digital devices to locate information is part of the course, especially when this information is used to solve everyday problems.
 Student engagement is increased by the use of activities that are culturally and contextually relevant. Group work is maximised to allow the development and facilitation of skills and knowledge. 
This course will foster the achievement and success of individuals and groups as it provides opportunities for all students to collaborate with and support each other. The use of hands on equipment will assist in the development of mathematical reasoning, and enable all students to successfully manage the development of less difficult to more complex mathematical understandings.

Course Requirements

Restriction: EDFOUND 15F, TFCEDUC 15F

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of foundational mathematical problems in a range of contexts (Capability 3 and 5)
  2. Explain and communicate foundational mathematical ideas and concepts (Capability 3 and 4)
  3. Identify and evaluate new learning in mathematics (Capability 2, 4, 6 and 7)
  4. Apply foundational mathematics understanding to solve real world problems (Capability 1, 2 and 5)
  5. Develop and demonstrate learning practices that promote engagement and success (Capability 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Two individual assignments 8% Individual Coursework
Best five of six e-Quizzes 10% Individual Coursework
Two collaborative in class tasks 10% Group & Individual Coursework
Mid semester test 22% Individual Test
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Two individual assignments
Best five of six e-Quizzes
Two collaborative in class tasks
Mid semester test
Final Exam

Tuākana

Tuākana Science is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials, one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/pacific-in-our-faculty.html
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/maori-in-our-faculty.html

Whanaungatanga and manaakitanga are fundamental principles of our Tuākana Mathematics programme which provides support for Māori and Pasifika students who are taking mathematics courses. The Tuākana Maths programme consists of workshops and drop-in times, and provides a space where Māori and Pasifika students are able to work alongside our Tuākana tutors and other Māori and Pasifika students who are studying mathematics.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course. On average, students are expected to spend 10 hours per week in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in. 

A typical semester including the study/exam period totals approximately 15 weeks. This means that for this course you should expect to commit 48 hours to direct contact via on-campus workshops'

You can also reasonably expect to commit approximately 100-120 hours to independent learning. This may include reading (and more reading), note-taking, face-to-face and/or online discussion, writing, engaging in collaborative group work, problem solving, undertaking practical tasks, reflecting on learning, accessing learning and study resources, and assignment and test preparation and completion. 

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including tutorials and tests to complete components of the course.
Tutorials may not be available as recordings. 
There will be times when a 'flipped classroom' (where students are expected to engage with content presentations before the scheduled class time), approach is used. There will be clear communication on Canvas to advise students of when their attendance at particular tutorials is not required.

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
The course is delivered at City and Tai Tonga (Manukau) campuses.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

A course book will be distributed in the first week of semester.

Student Feedback

During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.

At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.

Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.

As a result of student feedback:
  1. The assessed collaborative tasks will continue in 2023
  2. A study guide will be compiled and distributed prior to topics being covered.

Other Information

Attendance in class as well as engagement with course activities and readings support academic success.
As such there is an attendance requirement for this course.
  • Students must make every effort to attend all classes and complete all the necessary in-class requirements.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.

You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 31/10/2023 10:54 a.m.