
- UCAS course code
- NT11
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course unit details:
Introductory Mathematics
Unit code | ECON10061 |
---|---|
Credit rating | 10 |
Unit level | Level 1 |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
Available as a free choice unit? | Yes |
Overview
The aim of this course is to introduce students who have not taken mathematics A level to the main mathematical tools used in economics and the social sciences.
At the end of the course students should be able to: (i) differentiate simple mathematical functions of one variable, (ii) use differential calculus to solve simple, one-variable unconstrained optimisation problems; (iii) partially differentiate two-variable functions, (iv) integrate simple mathematical functions, and (v) use the definite integral to find the area under a graph.
Pre/co-requisites
GCSE/AS-Level Mathematics (compulsory Pre-Requisite).
Aims
The aim of this course is to introduce students who have not taken mathematics A level to the main mathematical tools used in economics and the social sciences.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course students should be able to: (i) differentiate simple mathematical functions of one variable, (ii) use differential calculus to solve simple, one-variable unconstrained optimisation problems; (iii) partially differentiate two-variable functions, (iv) integrate simple mathematical functions, and (v) use the definite integral to find the area under a graph.
Syllabus
The course is organized in three parts of which the second will be the largest.
Algebra and Coordinate Geometry: Basic algebra, factors and factorizing, quadratic equations, powers, logarithms, mathematical functions, graphs, linear and non-linear functions.
Differential Calculus: Slopes of graphs between points and at a point, differentiability, ordinary differentiation, rules of differentiation, marginal concepts, second derivatives, maxima and minima, profit maximization, functions of more than one variable, partial derivatives.
Integration: Indefinite and definite integration, finding the area under a curve.
Please note when looking at past exam papers that the syllabus for ECON10061 changed in 2017-18, when matrices/linear algebra was dropped and replaced with partial differentiation and integration.
Teaching and learning methods
Synchronous activities (such as Lectures or Review and Q&A sessions, and tutorials), and guided self-study
Employability skills
- Problem solving
- Taking ECON10061 will enhance the basic numeracy and mathematically skills of students who only took maths to GCSE level at school. These skills, alongside literacy and being articulate in speech, are highly valued by employers
Assessment methods
90% of total marks for 1.5 hour examination in January.
10% of total marks for course work.
For information about assessment and feedback please follow this link:
http://www.campus.manchester.ac.uk/tlso/map/teachinglearningassessment/assessment/sectionb-thepracticeofassessment/policyonfeedbacktostudents/
Feedback methods
• Answers to exercises and tests provided via Blackboard.
• Anonymised sample feedback exercises and tests provided via Blackboard.
• Weekly exercise classes/tutorials.
• Regular Blackboard announcements/emails.
The School of Social Sciences is committed to providing timely and appropriate feedback to students on their academic progress and achievement, thereby enabling students to reflect on their progress and plan their academic and skills development effectively. However, remember that feedback is responsive: i.e. we can only provide feedback if you actually do the required work and engage with the feedback process.
Recommended reading
(1) Jacques, I. "Mathematics for Economics and Business", Prentice Hall, 2009 (Sixth edition).
(2) Renshaw, G. "Maths for Economics", Oxford University Press, 2009 (Second edition).
(3) Wisniewski, M. "Mathematics for Economics", Palgrave Macmillan, 2013 (Third edition).
(4) Asano, A. "An Introduction to Mathematics for Economics", Cambridge University Press, 2013.
Copies of the latest editions of the above books are available from Blackwell’s Academic Bookshop. However, older, second-hand editions are just as good if not better than the latest editions, especially as the publishers have removed the solutions to exercises from the sixth edition of Jacques and second edition of Renshaw and made them available online instead in order to make students buy new copies of the books.
Several copies of all the above books are available in the John Rylands University Library, including the High Demand collection. However, it is strongly recommended that you buy one of them, whether new or second-hand. The ECON10061 lecture notes are not exhaustive; in particular, explanations are deliberately brief and the numbers of examples and exercises provided are few. You should therefore use them in conjunction with one of the above textbooks.
Jacques and Renshaw are also recommended textbooks for Advanced Mathematics, which you may want to take in your second year.
If you feel you have forgotten much of your GCSE Maths, you should download the GCSE MATHEMATICS HELP BOOKLET from Blackboard and work through it over the first two or three weeks of term. The following books also cover the essential background material required for the course:
(5) Renshaw (see above), Chapters 1 and 2, and Chapter 3, sections 3.1-3.2.
(6) Jacques (see above), Chapter 1.
(7) Abbott, P.W. "Teach Yourself Algebra", David McKay and Co., 1995.
(8) Curwin, J. and Slater, R. "Improve Your Maths: A Refresher Course", Business Press, 2000.
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
---|---|
Alexander Squires | Unit coordinator |
Additional notes
For every 10 course unit credits we expect students to work for around 100 hours. This time generally includes any contact times (online or face to face, recorded and live), but also independent study, work for coursework, and group work. This amount is only a guidance and individual study time will vary.