Higher Applications of Maths
DURATION
1 Year / 160 Hours
COURSEWORK
Project (8 hours) - 30 marks out of a total of 110 marks contributing to the final award
EXAM
80 marks out of a total of 110 marks contributing to the final award - single paper over 2 hours and 30 minutes
COST
No Cost
What will you learn?
The Higher Applications of Mathematics course focuses on developing the mathematical and analytical skills required in society and for the future workforce. The course develops candidates’ quantitative and mathematical literacy, problem-solving skills and reasoning skills as they apply mathematics in real-life contexts.
Applying mathematics in real-life contexts includes identifying relevant information, formulating a problem in appropriate mathematical or statistical terms, selecting and applying tools correctly, finding solutions, interpreting solutions in the context of a problem, and evaluating the approach taken.
The skills, knowledge and understanding in the course supports learning and further study and builds confidence in a wide range of curricular areas, such as humanities, social sciences, healthcare, and business.
Purpose
The course enhances candidates’ critical and logical thinking so that they can interpret, analyse, and critically appraise statistical and mathematical information; simplify and solve problems; assess risk; and make informed decisions.
The course aims to:
♦ equip candidates with the mathematical and statistical literacy skills they need for life, work and further study in a wide range of curricular areas
♦ develop candidates’ financial literacy in real-life contexts
♦ show candidates how they can use appropriate digital technology to manipulate and model mathematical, statistical and financial information
♦ develop candidates’ mathematical reasoning skills so that they can generalise, build arguments, draw logical conclusions, assess risk, and make informed decisions in familiar and unfamiliar situations
♦ develop candidates’ range of mathematical skills so that they can analyse, interpret and present data and numerical information
♦ provide candidates with the skills to appraise quantitative information critically, considering modelling or statistical assumptions
Mathematical Modelling:
♦ Understanding and applying the process of mathematical modelling to evaluate, analyse and interpret mathematical models
♦ Using software effectively in calculations
Planning and Decision Making:
Understanding and applying project planning and decision making
Statistics and Probability:
Applying statistical skills to basic probability
Applying statistical literacy skills to data
Applying statistical skills to correlation and linear regression
Applying statistical skills to data analysis, interpretation and communication
Finance:
Applying mathematical skills to calculating present and future values of monetary payments
Applying mathematical skills to solving problems related to personal financial products and transactions and analysing the results
Applying personal financial planning skills
Skills, knowledge and understanding developed during the course
♦ analyse complex real-life situations and problems involving mathematics
♦ select and apply skills in finance, statistics and probability, data modelling, and planning and decision making
♦ communicate mathematical information with complex features
♦ select and apply skills in numeracy
♦ use mathematical reasoning skills to extract and interpret information and draw conclusions or justify decisions
♦ use software where appropriate, for example to model and analyse statistical, mathematical, and financial problems
Why do this course?
The skills, knowledge and understanding in the course supports learning and further study and builds confidence in a wide range of curricular areas, such as humanities, social sciences, healthcare, and business.
What will you experience?
A group or whole class approach with active pupil involvement in learning is the technique used at this level. Investigative approaches will also feature in the delivery of this course. Scientific calculators and IT will be used throughout the course.
Key Facts
Everything you need to know before selecting this course
Assessment
Knowledge and skills will be assessed in different ways, depending on the topic being studied. This will include classroom tests, group works tasks and homework.
Higher Applications of Mathematics is assessed with a Project and an exam which will be externally assessed by SQA and will be graded (A-D). The project has 30 marks out of a total of 110 and the exam has 80 marks out of a total of 110. Candidates will have access to a calculator and computer in both the project and exam.
Homework
Homework will be set by the class teacher on a regular basis, this will be available on TEAMs.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Entry is at the discretion of the Principal Teacher Faculty, Maths. However, as a guide:
An A to C (A/B recommended) pass in either National 5 Applications of Maths or National 5 Maths.
A working knowledge of Microsoft Excel would be advantageous.
Progression and Employment
Everything you need to know about future pathways from this course
Progression
Advanced Higher Statistics
Employment
There is a wide range of career opportunities open to mathematicians from graduates downwards. Areas range from financial work which includes business management, Science, Government research, Biomedical and health services, Insurance or any field that involves the study of data
Useful Resources
Further information (including the 2022 Exam paper) can be found at
higher-course-spec-applications-of-mathematics.pdf (sqa.org.uk)
and
Higher Applications of Mathematics - Course overview - SQA