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Why study Mathematics?
Mathematics is important in everyday life, allowing us to make sense of the world around us and to manage our lives. Using mathematics enables us to model real-life situations and make connections and informed predictions. It equips us with the skills we need to interpret and analyse information, simplify and solve problems, assess risk and make informed decisions.
You will also get to develop skills in the areas of algebra, geometry and trigonometry as well as learn elementary calculus.
The skills you learn in this course are useful in many careers involving engineering, medicine, technology, business and the physical sciences.
What do I need to get in?
Entry is at the discretion of the school or college, but you would normally be expected to have achieved:
What will I study?
This course will develop, deepen and extend the mathematical skills necessary at this level and beyond. You will acquire and apply operational skills necessary for exploring mathematical ideas through symbolic representation and diagrams. In addition, you will develop mathematical reasoning skills and will gain experience in making informed decisions.
The course consists of three compulsory units and the course assessment unit.
Mathematics: Expressions and Functions (6 SCQF credit points)
In this unit you will:
- develop knowledge and skills that involve the manipulation of expressions, the use of vectors and the study of mathematical functions
- cover aspects of algebra, geometry and trigonometry, and also skills in mathematical reasoning and modelling.
Mathematics: Relationships and Calculus (6 SCQF credit points)
In this unit you will:
- develop knowledge and skills that involve solving equations and to introduce both differential calculus and integral calculus
- cover aspects of algebra, trigonometry, calculus, and also skills in mathematical reasoning and modelling.
Mathematics: Applications (6 SCQF credit points)
In this unit you will:
- develop knowledge and skills that involve geometric applications, applications of sequences and applications of calculus
- cover aspects of algebra, geometry, calculus, and also skills in mathematical reasoning and modelling.
How will I be assessed?
Course Assessment (6 SCQF credit points)
The course assessment has two question papers:
- Paper 1 – Non-Calculator (60 marks)
- Paper 2 – Calculator may be used (70 marks).
The question papers will assess your numerical, algebraic, geometric, trigonometric, calculus and reasoning skills. The question papers will be set and marked by SQA.
Your work will be assessed by your teacher on an ongoing basis throughout the course. You must pass all three units and the course assessment to gain the course qualification.
The course assessment is graded A-D. Your grade will depend on the total mark for all the units in your course.
What can I go on to next?
If you complete the course successfully, it may lead to:
Further study, training or employment in:
Which jobs are related to this subject?
Where can my parents find out more?
Your school will give your parents an Options or Choices information booklet, which has detailed information on the curriculum and the individual subjects or courses you can study. It will also invite them along to a Parents’ Information Evening.
They can also read the information leaflet(s):
Highers in a Nutshell - Mathematics (CfE Higher)