Preparatory Mathematics (3cr)

Evaluation scale

Pass/Fail

Objective

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

EUR-ACE: Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of the mathematics and other natural sciences underlying their engineering specialization, 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

By completing this course, you will have strengthened and supplemented your mathematical skills, which are essential for the initial stage of your studies in engineering. You will learn basic arithmetic operations and rules with numbers and symbols, as well as the most common calculation formulas related to geometric figures. You will understand the difference between an expression and an equation and be able to apply what you learn to solve simple problems in your field of study. This course will provide you with a solid foundation for further study and help you succeed in your technical studies.

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-angled triangles, basics of functions, verbal problem solving tasks.

Location and time

The course will take place during weeks 3 - 8 (12.1. - 20.2.2026). The exam will be in week 10.

Materials

The written, video and other course material are to be published in the course learning environment.

Teaching methods

independent study, online course
weekly guidance sessions on Teams
Homework and tests
Independent work on exercises

Exam schedules

Schedule of the tests, exams and resits are to be published in the learning environment at the beginning of the course.

Student workload

The estimated workload of the course is 3 credits * 27 h/cr = 81 h.

Guidance 12 h
Independent exercises 24 h
Independent study, preparation for the tests and tests 45 h

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

You are able to simplify simple polynomial and rational expressions and evaluate expressions numerically. You recognize 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-angled 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 recognize the equation of a line, are able to draw the line by using it, and determine the equation of a line from a picture.

Further information

Assessment methods:
The course includes compulsory assignments, homework and mid-term tests. Assessment will be by means of an end-of-course pass/fail exam. You can take the mid-term tests during the course if you have passed the homework in the previous sections. The final examination can be taken if the mid-term tests of the course have been passed.

The course is assessed pass/fail.

This course is recommended if you have no background in in upper secondary school long mathematics and/or need to build up your calculation routine before moving on to the actual mathematics courses.