CFOF Maths Bristol

CFOF maths: Bristol : 

1 CFOF maths: Bristol Report (in collaboration with a Head of Maths at a local state school) on what each grade at GCSE and A level maths means in terms of maths skills. Full report completed (summary has appeared in New Directions). Conclusions: 1. C (B) at GCSE is not a sufficient qualification to read for a degree in Chemistry 2. Recommend A* GCSE minimum (then must fill in algebra and calculus needed) 3. Students with A level maths still need training!

CFOF maths: Bristol : 

2 CFOF maths: Bristol Survey of maths provision in UK chemistry departments (what do departments do, are there elements that can be shared). Survey on-going, report summer 2008. Paper on Bristol course to be submitted to CERP after Christmas.

CFOF maths: Bristol (Survey) : 

3 CFOF maths: Bristol (Survey) Preliminary conclusions: ~30 surveyed None require compulsory Maths A level All provide some maths training/teaching Ones that farm to maths dept. unhappy* Some depts. have abandoned teaching certain topics in Phys. Chem. Such as quantum Lots of variation from intensive course (Bristol), web based with support (Manchester) In house seems to be most effective

CFOF maths: Bristol : 

4 CFOF maths: Bristol Bristol intensive course for students without maths A level (1S 1/6 year 1), Chemistry context based. Analysed data since 1994 for year 1 & 2 Yr 1 94-00 1S > All 1/7 Yr 1 01-07 1S > All 5/7 Yr 2 since 2003 1S out-performing A level maths students in Phys Chem Yr 2 since 2004 1S out-performing A level maths students in Theoretical

CFOF maths: Bristol : 

5 CFOF maths: Bristol Bristol intensive course for students without maths A level (1S 1/6 year 1), Chemistry context based. Analysed data since 1994 for year 1 & 2 Yr 1 94-00 1S > All 1/7 Yr 1 01-07 1S > All 5/7 Yr 2 since 2003 1S out-performing A level maths students in Phys Chem Yr 2 since 2004 1S out-performing A level maths students in Theoretical

CFOF maths: Bristol (1S) : 

6 CFOF maths: Bristol (1S) Why? Possible answers Course teaches maths in context Maths knowledge at A level changed Good maths students need training in translation of maths to a chemistry context (lots of examples of this) Now run workshops in y2 for everyone Are 1S super mathematicians? No but they Can use maths tools for chemistry Would like to compare data with other Unis. That use different approach to provision to see if the conclusions are the same, e.g. Manchester.

CFOF maths: Bristol : 

7 CFOF maths: Bristol Primer course Too small a number this year and self selecting, keen students or keen parents who are likely to do well. Bigger group next year and will continue to develop resources for this over the year, using material from the Bath project.