BI0MF1: Mathematics Foundation

Module code: BI0MF1

Module provider: School of Biological Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: Foundation Level

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr Lindsey Thompson, email: lindsey.thompson@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Professor Julie Hawkins, email: j.a.hawkins@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

You will be given the opportunity to develop competence in a range of algebraic, graphical, numerical and statistical techniques to support further scientific study. Lectures will provide an opportunity for you to refresh fundamental mathematical concepts. Associated practical/tutorial sessions will allow you to apply their mathematical knowledge to scientific calculations, experimental design, data collection and analysis. Further lectures will provide examples of how mathematics can be used to describe and analyse more complex scientific relationships. You will have an opportunity to apply this knowledge to a large data set and practice your skills.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Perform basic mathematical calculations involving percentages, fractions, volume and area and apply these to real life situations
2. Apply mathematical skills to manipulating, presenting and describing data
3. Use statistics to appropriately describe and analyse data sets

Module content

This module will provide a fundamental understanding of the role of basic mathematics in Biological and Chemical sciences. The ideas will also be applied in a marketing context. Basic key mathematical ideas and skills will be considered and related specifically to concepts and the module will also consider the role of basic statistics in experimental design, analysis and evaluation.

Students will engage in a series of lectures, tutorials and practicals that will provide a basic level of mathematical and statistical competence that will relate to subsequent modules. There will be an independent group project and calculation and analysis sessions provided throughout the course to support training of students in these areas.
 
The lecture content covers:

• SI units, standard form, manipulating numbers in standard form, using prefixes
• Basic calculations such as volume and area, manipulating equations. The Mole, concentrations and dilutions
• Rearranging equations
• Calculating concentrations and dilutions
• Presenting data, tables and graphs
• Directly proportional and proportional relationships. The straight line graph as a predictive tool
• Finding gradients and equations representing a straight line
• Using the equation representing a straight line and apply to biological, chemical and marketing  concepts
• Using logs to describe exponential growth and decay. Calculating the half-time. Common graphs sin, cos
• Introduction to statistics, data distribution, normality testing and parametric and non-parametric data
• Descriptive statistics
• Experimental design and hypothesis testing chi squared, t test, anova and regression
• Using ‘minitab’ to analyse experimental data

The practical content covers:

• Calculation workshops
• The straight-line relationship

The Project:

• Allows students to apply their knowledge of descriptive statistics and hypothesis testing to a statistical data set using Minitab.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

There will be two ~50 minute lectures (divided by a short break) bi weekly.  Students will spend ~2 hours in the laboratory session, this will be a mixture of performing experiments, as well as calculations and analysis to support students prior to assessment. There will be a regular clinics where students will be encouraged to meet in a tutorial setting to discuss progress. Additionally, students will be expected to use their free time to engage in background reading and practice skills. Lectures and small group tutorials. The lectures will cover all the basic learning materials. Tutorials will cover material based on lecture topics and will provide time for students to ask questions.

Drop-in hours for individual assistance as required.

Study hours

At least 40 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

A test early in Semester 1.

Reassessment

Additional costs