Mathematics courses in S5/6

A variety of courses in mathematics are offered for fifth and sixth year students. The student's choice of course will largely depend on the level of pass expected from S4 courses, or, in the case of sixth year students, on the expected performance in S5 National Courses (Higher, Intermediate 1 or Intermediate 2). In all cases, teachers' professional judgements are taken into account to determine the suitability of courses for pupils.

Below are general guidelines which give an indication of the choice of courses in mathematics, and the recommended entrance level for each course. Students unsure of their course options in mathematics should refer to any member of the mathematics department for further clarification.

It is crucial for future success that pupils follow the most appropriate course for their needs.

Guidelines for Course Choice in S5

Guidelines for Course Choice in S6

Mathematics Advanced Higher

Recommended Entry

Students gaining a grade A or B pass at Higher mathematics in S5 may wish to consider continuing with mathematics at Advanced Higher level.

Course Details

This course builds on the skills developed at Credit and Higher level mathematics, and continues with the study and development of algebra and calculus, as well as introducing new aspects of mathematics such as matrix techniques, complex numbers and number theory. Extensive use is made of methods including computer software and graphic calculators.

The Advanced Higher course is designed to present students with more challenging mathematics on as broad a front as possible, without becoming too specialised. Advanced Higher assumes a high degree of competence with the ideas encountered at Higher level mathematics. It is a particularly demanding course, and students should note that considerable effort, over and above that required at Higher level, is necessary in order to achieve success. Students embarking on this course should be highly motivated and be able to organise their own study.

Assessment

Pupils undergo an assessment at the end of each unit, in order to satisfy the initial course requirement that minimum competence has been achieved. Additional questions are used to indicate achievements at grades A and B. Prelim examinations take place in January/February. A course award is achieved through success in all three unit assessments and the external course examination in May.

Mathematics Higher

Course Details

The Higher course is particularly demanding. Students should note that considerable effort, over and above that required in S4, is necessary in order to achieve success at this level. Students embarking on this course should be highly motivated and be able to organise their own study.

This course is useful for students who wish to continue with mathematics beyond S4, and who may wish to follow on by taking Advanced Higher in S6, a qualification widely recognised as being equivalent to first year university mathematics.

The course builds on skills developed at Standard Grade mathematics (Credit level), and continues with the study of algebra, geometry and trigonometry. A new aspect of mathematics, calculus, is introduced. The course comprises three units, maths 1, 2 & 3.

Assessment

Pupils undergo an assessment at the end of each unit, in order to satisfy the initial course requirement that minimum competence has been achieved. Additional questions are used to indicate achievements at grades A and B. Prelim examinations take place in January/February. A course award is achieved through success in all three unit assessments and the external course examination in May.

Mathematics Higher (2 year course)

Course Details

The Higher course is particularly demanding (even over the duration of 2 years). Students should note that considerable effort, over and above that required in S4, is necessary in order to achieve success at this level. Students embarking on this course should be highly motivated and be able to organise their own study.

This course is useful for students who wish to continue with mathematics beyond S4 and who may find the challenges of a 1 year Higher course too great. The 2 year course enables students to work at a reduced pace, completing units 1 & 2 in S5 and unit 3 in S6.

The course builds on skills developed in Standard Grade mathematics (Credit level) or Intermediate 2 level, and continues with the study of algebra, geometry and trigonometry. A new aspect of mathematics, calculus, is introduced. The course comprises three units, maths 1, 2 & 3.

Assessment

Pupils undergo an assessment at the end of each unit, in order to satisfy the initial course requirement that minimum competence has been achieved. Additional questions are used to indicate achievements at grades A and B. Prelim examinations take place in January/February. A course award is achieved through success in all three unit assessments and the external course examination in May.

Mathematics Intermediate 2 / Intermediate 2 Applications

Course Details

The Intermediate 2 course is useful for students who wish to continue with mathematics beyond S4, and who may wish to follow on by taking Higher in S6, a qualification widely recognised by universities in their entrance requirements.

The Intermediate 2 Applications course is designed for students who do not wish to follow on to Higher maths in S6.

Both courses build on skills developed at Intermediate 1 level. It covers work contained in Credit level mathematics including algebra, statistics, trigonometry, linear relationships and quadratic relationships. The courses comprise three units : maths 1, 2 & 3 for Intermediate 2 and maths 1, 2, App's for Intermediate 2 Applications.

Assessment

Pupils undergo an assessment at the end of each unit, in order to satisfy the initial course requirement that minimum competence has been achieved. Additional questions are used to indicate achievements at grades A and B. Prelim examinations take place in January/February. A course award is achieved through success in all three unit assessments and the external course examination in May.

Mathematics Intermediate 1

Course Details

This course is useful for students who wish to continue with mathematics beyond S4, and who may wish to follow on by taking Intermediate 2 Applications in S6, a qualification recognised by colleges in their entrance requirements.

The course builds on skills developed at Access 3 level mathematics. It covers work contained in Intermediate 1 level mathematics including algebra, elementary statistics and trigonometry. The course comprises three units : maths 1, 2 & 3.

Assessment

Pupils undergo an assessment at the end of each unit, in order to satisfy the initial course requirement that minimum competence has been achieved. Additional questions are used to indicate achievements at grades A and B. Prelim examinations take place in January/February. A course award is achieved through success in all three unit assessments and the external course examination in May.

Attitude to Study

Students continuing their study of mathematics beyond S4 are expected to have developed a high degree of self-motivation, and a responsibility for their own learning. Members of the mathematics department are always pleased to assist students with their studies, not only in class, but at other mutually agreed times (eg. lunchtime tutorials). Students can also take advantage of the Supported Study programme that operates within the school for more personalised tuition.

Homework

Homework is issued regularly, and is seen as an essential part of courses in S5 and S6. The amount of homework given to students will vary, depending on the demands of the particular course being undertaken. It must be emphasised that students embarking on the Higher or Advanced Higher course will be expected to complete a substantial amount of work in their own time, in order to ensure that they successfully complete the course, and prepare themselves as fully as possible for assessments and final examinations.