Gwybodaeth am Fodiwlau
Module Identifier
MA10720
Module Title
Career Planning and Mathematical Skills Development
Academic Year
2026/2027
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Reading List
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Python Python programming assignment 200 Words | 20% |
| Semester Assessment | Presentation Individual presentation on a topic in Mathematics 10 Minutes | 20% |
| Semester Assessment | Careers Skills Create a CV or Linked-In profile and write a cover letter for a job application 400 Words | 20% |
| Semester Assessment | Proof Proof Assignment 400 Words | 20% |
| Semester Assessment | Biography Write a short biography of a Mathematician 1000 Words | 20% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Python Python programming assignment 200 Words | 20% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Proof Proof Assignment 400 Words | 20% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Presentation Individual presentation on a topic in Mathematics 10 Minutes | 20% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Careers Skills Create a CV or Linked-In profile and write a cover letter for a job application 400 Words | 20% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Biography Write a short biography of a Mathematician 1000 Words | 20% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Work individually to research and present a topic in Mathematics.
Use software packages to produce simple documents such as a Curriculum Vitae and a presentation.
Critically evaluate proofs in Mathematics
Understand how to apply for a job, highlighting skills and experience to a potential employer.
Write and debug computer programs to solve mathematics problems and visualize graphs.
Brief description
On this module student will discuss the skills and preparation necessary to successfully study a degree in Mathematics. They will be introduced to an important area of mathematics such as formal proof or problem solving. On an individual basis, students will prepare and make a short presentation on a topic in Mathematics.
Students will be introduced to computer programming through a range of software packages: word-processing software, presentation software, spreadsheets and formal programming in Python. Exercises will use simple ideas in mathematics to illustrate simple uses of the software and skills in the workplace.
The Careers Service will provide a careers awareness programme during which each student prepares a letter of introduction and establishes an online Curriculum Vitae. Students will research the careers available to graduates in their discipline and the relation of the skills they acquire in their course to these careers.
Students will be introduced to computer programming through a range of software packages: word-processing software, presentation software, spreadsheets and formal programming in Python. Exercises will use simple ideas in mathematics to illustrate simple uses of the software and skills in the workplace.
The Careers Service will provide a careers awareness programme during which each student prepares a letter of introduction and establishes an online Curriculum Vitae. Students will research the careers available to graduates in their discipline and the relation of the skills they acquire in their course to these careers.
Aims
The module provides an opportunity to develop a selection of both mathematical, computational, study and transferable skills designed to enhance students' learning experience and employment prospects.
Content
Study Skills for Mathematicians: a discussion of different learning environments and ways of presenting Mathematics.
Word-processing Presentation software packages (Latex, Powerpoint): introduction, simple documents, formatting, mathematical expressions, presentations.
Mathematical proof: critical evaluation of methods of proof.
Individual presentation on a topic in Mathematics.
Skills awareness programme, including advice on the preparation of an introductory letter and CV, run by the Careers Service.
Group poster presentations on the relation between the skills acquired by Mathematicians and the careers available to them.
Spreadsheets: overview, entering and formatting information, formulae and functions, manipulating and visualizing a dataset.
Programming: basic introduction to python and the principles of computer programming, with some visualisation.
Word-processing Presentation software packages (Latex, Powerpoint): introduction, simple documents, formatting, mathematical expressions, presentations.
Mathematical proof: critical evaluation of methods of proof.
Individual presentation on a topic in Mathematics.
Skills awareness programme, including advice on the preparation of an introductory letter and CV, run by the Careers Service.
Group poster presentations on the relation between the skills acquired by Mathematicians and the careers available to them.
Spreadsheets: overview, entering and formatting information, formulae and functions, manipulating and visualizing a dataset.
Programming: basic introduction to python and the principles of computer programming, with some visualisation.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Co-ordinating with others | Students are expected to work in groups during the in-class activities |
| Creative Problem Solving | Problem solving skills are developed in this module in dealing with proofs, with the spreadsheet and programming assignments, and in preparing for the presentation of a topic in Mathematics or Physics. |
| Critical and analytical thinking | Analytical skills are required in undertaking research for the biography assignment and the individual presentation, and in researching the skills needed for various forms of employment. |
| Digital capability | Students will use software packages to produce simple documents, work with a spreadsheet to do various calculations, produce summaries, visualise the data and results, and write and debug computer programs to solve mathematics problems. |
| Professional communication | Written communication is developed and tested by the written assignments and the CV. Verbal communication is developed and tested by the presentations. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Mathematical skills are developed in evaluating proofs. Numerical/visualization concepts and techniques are addressed in connection with spreadsheet and computer programming. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4