Preparatory Mathematics (3 cr)

Evaluation scale

Pass/Fail

Content scheduling

The schedule will be specified at the beginning of the course, but the content is roughly covered in the following order on a weekly basis:

- rules of calculation, powers, and square roots
- polynomials and rational expressions
- equations
- percentage calculations and problems
- right triangle, areas, and volumes
- function notation, lines

Objective

Course purpose

During this course you rehearse and reinforce mathematical knowledge and skills needed in the beginning of your studies.

Course competences

EUR-ACE: Knowledge and understanding 
Knowledge and understanding of the mathematics and other basic sciences underlying their engineering specialisation, at a level necessary to achieve the other programme outcomes.

Learning outcomes

After completing this course you recall basic algebraic operations and rules for numbers and symbols, and formulas related to common geometric shapes. You understand the difference between an expression and an equation. You are able to apply what you have learned to solve simple problems related to your own field of study.

Content

Basic algebraic operations, the notion of square root, rules for exponents, simplification of polynomial expressions and simple rational expressions, simple linear and quadratic polynomial equations, percentages, simple geometry and trigonometry for right triangles, basics of functions, verbal problems.

Location and time

The course will be implemented from August 21, 2023 to October 15, 2023.

Materials

The material required for completing the course is available in the Moodle workspace of the course.

Teaching methods

Face-to-face learning: Lessons at Rajakatu campus
Independent studying with written material and weekly online tutoring sessions

Employer connections

-

Exam schedules

Supervised final exam during week 41 (October 9, 2023 - October 15, 2023)

International connections

-

Completion alternatives

- Hybrid implementation (online) at the same time in autumn 2023
- Online course at one's own pace

Student workload

Computational workload: 3 credits * 27 hours/credit = 81 hours, of which
- lessons approximately 21 hours
- exams and tests approximately 3 hours
- independent work approximately 57 hours

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

You are able to simplify simple polynomial- and rational expressions and evaluate expressions numerically. You recognise the difference between an expression and an equation. You can explain how simplifying an expression differs from the process of solving an equation. You are able to solve simple linear and quadratic polynomial equations. You can solve the edges and angles of right triangles. You can solve simple problems with equations. You know the notation for functions, are able to read the values of a function from a graph, and compute values of a given function using the functions expression. You recognise the equation of a line, are able to draw the line by using it, and you can determine the equation of a line from a picture.

Further information

The assessment of the course is based on the tests completed independently on the Moodle learning platform and a supervised final exam.