A-Level Further Mathematics is an academic course designed for students to extend the knowledge gained in A-Level Mathematics.
Most students who take the course will be intending to study at university on degree courses such as Mathematics, Economics, Physics, Engineering, and Computer Science. At some universities, A-Level Further Mathematics may lead to a slightly lower grade offer for a place on some of those courses.
Other students may just have a deep interest in mathematics, and want to cover a wider range of topics than the A-Level Mathematics course. It is normally recommended to take Further Mathematics as a fourth A-Level, so that students still cover a range of subjects, allowing for multiple pathways in the future. Students will gain the AS-Level qualification in the first year, and can then make a decision on continuing with all four subjects in the second year.
Modules
Students will study four different areas of mathematics over the course.
In year 1, students take modules in:
- Pure Mathematics
- Statistics
- Modelling with Algorithms.
In year 2, students extend their knowledge in Pure Mathematics, and add Mechanics.
Pure Mathematics teaches a range of mathematical skills, covering topics such as Complex Numbers, Sequences and Series, Vectors, Proof by Induction, and in the second year an extensive look at Calculus, building on the skills learnt in A-Level Mathematics.
Mechanics covers the cross-over between Mathematics and Physics, looking at Forces, Collisions, Variable Acceleration, Moments, Dimensional Analysis, and Work, Energy and Power.
Statistics delves into the areas of Probability Modelling, Hypothesis Testing, and Correlation and Regression.
Finally, Modelling with Algorithms gives students an introduction into a very different area of mathematics, where students will look at algorithms that solve problems such as the shortest path between two points (like a sat-nav system), Critical Path Analysis, Network Flow, and maximisation and minimisation problems using Linear Programming.
