Mathematics & Computer Science
Studying mathematics helps develop critical reasoning skills, which can significantly contribute to achieving personal goals.
Faculty Overview
Mathematics plays a critical role in our efforts to understand the physical universe’s nature and our technological society’s continuing development. Many students decide to study mathematics for this reason, and students also study mathematics in order to develop critical reasoning skills that can significantly contribute to many personal goals. Of course, the study of mathematics can lead students directly to a variety of courses at University, both in undergraduate and graduate schools. The frenetic pace of research and development in computers and high technology has led to strong new imperatives for more mathematical expertise within the last few years.
All mathematics starts with a question and proceeds to an answer. A somewhat artificial division into pure and applied areas within mathematics refers only to the source of the question. Questions from Calculus and vectors are called pure, questions from statistics and mechanics are called applied. Mathematics is a construct of the human mind that gives us a way to model and understand the world around us.
SCIE’s Flagship faculty offers the following programs, AL Mathematics, AL Further Mathematics, AP Statistics, AP Calculus, Computer Science which is rich a varied. These courses provide an introduction to many mathematics and computing areas, including Algebra, Sequence and series, Trigonometry, Vectors, Calculus, Differential Equations, Newton’s Laws, Momentum, and Probability Python, and Java programming.
Mathew Thomas
Head of Faculty Maths & Computer Science
Available to AS (1 year) or AS + AL (1 year) or AL (1 year)
Mathematics
AS & A Level Mathematics develops a set of highly transferable skills, including:
Working confidently with mathematical information
Logical and independent thinking
Emphasis on accuracy and precision
Mathematical modelling of real-world situations
Analysing results and reflecting critically on findings
These skills are widely applicable across subjects and prepare students well for higher education or direct entry into employment.
Course Structure
This is SCIE’s core Mathematics course at A Level and can be taken through several routes. The full A Level includes four modules:
Pure Mathematics 1 (P1)
Quadratics
Coordinate Geometry
Sequences and Series
Functions
Trigonometry
Calculus
Pure Mathematics 3 (P3)
Advanced Calculus
Complex Numbers
Differential Equations
Mechanics 1 (M1)
Kinematics
Forces in Equilibrium
Newton’s Laws of Motion
Work, Energy, and Power
Statistics 1 (S1)
Measures of Central Tendency and Spread
Probability and Combinatorics
Binomial and Normal Distributions
Students who progress through SCIE’s G1 and G2 programme will typically have taken AS Mathematics (P1 and M1) at the end of G2.
Available for A2 students and
selected A1 students
At school level, Mathematics is often thought of only as working through problems, getting “the right answer” and practising examination-standard questions. Indeed, this approach will often reward you with a good grade in the examination. However, there is much more to the subject than this.
Mathematics is actually a very creative subject. Good students often pause to ask why a solution works or consider what might happen in a slightly different situation. They read extensively and explore links between school mathematics and other branches not included in the syllabus. An inquisitive mind is essential to truly develop one’s mathematical ability.
There is no ‘typical’ job for mathematics graduates. Logical problem-solving and numerical skills are highly sought after across many fields. Nearly every profession requires the services of mathematicians and statisticians at some level.
At SCIE, we aim to develop each student’s mathematical knowledge and skills to their full potential, combining the rigour of the Chinese system with the investigative approach of Western traditions. We offer a variety of courses suited to students’ prior achievement and ability.
Further Mathematics (9231)
Further Mathematics is a very popular but also very challenging course that builds on and extends mathematical knowledge and ability. It is especially useful for students intending to study mathematics-related courses at university.
The course is divided into:
AS Further Mathematics
AL Further Mathematics
AS Further Mathematics
Students study Further Pure 1 and Further Statistics. Key topics include:
The art of sketching curves, including Rational Functions and Polar Curves
The beautiful and rigid proof of Mathematical Induction
The transformation of curves and the Transformation Matrix
3-Dimensional Vector Geometry, Planes and Lines
Polynomials and Sequences
Continuous Random Variables
Hypothesis Testing
Probability Generating Functions
AL Further Mathematics
In addition to AS topics, students will dive deeper into Further Pure 2 and Further Mechanics, including:
Complex Numbers
Matrices
Hyperbolic Functions
Integration and Differential Equations
Projectiles
Equilibrium and Centre of Mass
Circular Motion, Hooke’s Law and Momentum
(Similar to Physics but more complex and extensive)
Available to AS (1 year) Or A Level (2 year)
COMPUTER SCIENCE enables the students to develop:
- computational thinking skills
- an understanding of the main principles of solving problems using computers
- an understanding of the component parts of computer systems and how they interre-late, including software, data, hardware, communication and people
- an understanding of the different methods of communication and the functionality of networks and the internet
- the skills necessary to apply this understanding to develop computer based solutions to problems
