TFCMATHS 91F : Foundation Mathematics 1

Science

2021 Semester One (1213) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

This first mathematics course aims to promote an understanding of number skills, including an introduction to algebra. Students will learn how to use simple technology and develop their problem solving abilities.

Course Overview

This course focuses on the development of mathematical skills and the understanding of key concepts. There is a need to build the confidence of students new to tertiary education who may have had variable learning experiences with mathematics, as well as to prepare them for future studies in mathematical sciences. In particular, we aim to set a mathematical platform that includes:

- learning and using the accepted mathematical conventions and notations;

- understanding of the relationships between fundamental arithmetic and proportional processes;

• developing of algebraic manipulative skills; and

• experiences in interpreting and solving problems.

Successful completion of this course will meet the University of Auckland numeracy entry requirement. Further, completion of this course with at least a C+ grade will provide students with entry to TFC MATHS 92F.

Course Requirements

Restriction: MATHS 91P, 92F

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Answer questions involving mathematical situations that require problem-solving strategies, including the key numeracy strategies with additive, multiplicative and proportional backgrounds (Capability 1 and 3)
  2. Apply order of operations ideas, including integers, fractions and substitution in formulae. (Capability 1, 2 and 3)
  3. Perform algebraic manipulations with formulae, including transposition, and be able to solve linear, quadratic and exponential equations in mathematical situations and other models or contexts. (Capability 1, 2 and 3)
  4. Use straightforward graphs to model linear rates and other situations. (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4)
  5. Solve problems involving time and rate calculations, with Pythagoras’ Theorem, (Capability 1, 2 and 3)
  6. Apply the metric system to problems with standard two-dimensional shapes (perimeters, areas) and standard three-dimensional shapes (surface area and volumes), and the trapezoidal rule. (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 4)
  7. Use a calculator proficiently and with large and small numbers including fractions and decimals, in mathematical and other situations, so that reasonable answers are obtained. (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 5)
  8. Apply their learning of mathematics critically and actively contribute to group collaborative activities and discussions in order to provide group solution(s) to several tasks. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Canvas quizzes (best 8 of 10) 10% Individual Coursework
Assignments (three written) 12% Individual Coursework
Team or collaborative project tasks (2) 8% Group & Individual Coursework
Tests - Chapter, Mid Semester, Final 70% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Canvas quizzes (best 8 of 10)
Assignments (three written)
Team or collaborative project tasks (2)
Tests - Chapter, Mid Semester, Final

Each student must attempt the Final Test and achieve a minimum of at least 35% in this assessment, which when combined with the other earlier coursework, is at least 50%.

Tuākana

Tuākana assistance may be provided by Malia Puloka, Room 160, first floor, Science Centre building 303, m.puloka@auckland.ac.nz.  
For more information about the Tuākana programme at the University of Auckland faculty of Science, please read:
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/maori-and-pacific-at-the-faculty/tuakana-programme.html
 

Key Topics

The key chapters are:
0 Fundamentals
1 Introductory Number Sense
2 Making sense of Proportion
3 A sense of Measurement
4 Introduction to Algebra
5 Equations and Inequalities

Special Requirements

Expect full attendance and participation in classes, or digitally if zoom-delivered;
Each aspect of the course is compulsory;
Must attempt the Final Test and achieve at least 35% in that assessment.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard [15] point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect [5] hours of lectures, including a tutorial or assessment, plus [2] hours of reading and thinking about the content and [3] hours of work on assignments, e-quizzes and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Tertiary Foundation Certificate students are expected to attend and participate on Campus and are therefore not remote students. Attendance is required at scheduled activities including classes and tutorials (such as Group Work Collaborative tasks which receive credit for components of the course).

Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials will not be available as recordings. The course will not include live online events including tutorials. 

Attendance on campus is required for the tests, the Group Work Collaborations, and the Final exam. The Quizzes may be submitted electronically on Canvas - the best eight out of ten will count toward the final mark. 

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable delivery.

Learning Resources

Course books (usually Part A and Part B);
Standard scientific calculator (available in UBS);
Ruler for measuring;
Squared paper for graphing.

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.

Feedback from students is particularly useful if they cannot find something on Canvas, or if a resource needs to be unlocked. Student questions about how to interpret assignment questions are encouraged, and on occasion these have assisted to clarify a task. However, what is submitted must be always be a student's own work. Also, on another occasion we changed the order of a chapter when students asked us to teach part of that chapter earlier, since they required the content as it was needed in another subject.

Digital 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.

The ten weekly Quizzes are to be submitted electronically on Canvas - the best eight will count toward the final mark.

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 against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

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

Some students have unfortunately had very difficult prior learning experiences in Mathematics and so they are welcome to meet with the course coordinator as soon as possible (in the first week(s)) of the semester so that maths learning support may be organized for the rest of the semester. 

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.

If you are absent for any of the Team / Collaborative tasks, please note that these assessments cannot be repeated since each requires a whole team effort and contribution when submitting each task.

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 your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

With respect to COVID levels the following apply:
Level 1: Delivered normally as specified in delivery mode
Level 2: You will not be required to attend in person. All teaching and assessment will have a remote option.
Level 3 / 4: All teaching activities and assessments are delivered remotely.

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 you may be asked to submit your 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. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 07/12/2020 06:33 p.m.