Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27
None
Available as a Free Standing Elective
No
This module gives the opportunity to further develop skills of mathematical problem solving and application of mathematical results to real-world scenarios, especially those involving the analysis and interpretation of large data sets. This aims to develop skills that are needed when undertaking employment or research, such as working in depth on a problem over an extended period, writing reports, communicating mathematical and data-informed results to different audiences, working in collaboration with others, and basic data analysis using Pandas. This module will provide employability skills experiences and develop students’ ability to articulate their skills, which will be useful to draw on when applying for jobs.
Aims
The module's first aim is to further develop students’ problem-solving abilities and ability to select techniques and apply mathematical knowledge to authentic work-style situations, especially those involving analyzing large data sets. Specifically, within this aim, the module aims to:(i) develop skills in data analysis and visualization using the software Pandas;(ii) develop students’ ability to solve a problem in depth over an extended period and produce reports;(iii) develop students’ ability to communicate mathematical results and data-informed insights to audiences of differing technical ability, including other mathematicians, business clients and the general public;(iv) develop an appreciation of how groups operate, different roles in group work, and the different skills required to successfully operate as a team;(v) develop their professionalism.The second aim of this module is to develop students' employability skills in key areas such as writing CVs and covering letters, online testing and public speaking.
Intended Learning Outcomes
articulate employability skills: select appropriate techniques, and apply mathematical and statistical knowledge to analyze, visualize and interpret data in order to find solutions to real-world problems: 3communicate mathematical results to audiences of differing technical ability via different methods: 3produce reports based on the development of a piece of work, in depth over an extended period of time: 3
48 hours classes. The balance between these activities will vary from week to week, including presentations, group work and individual activities.102 hours individual exercise preparation, which includes 30 hours collaborative working in groups outside classes.
Level 4 Mathematics or equivalent.
Description of Module Assessment
1: Portfolio weighted 30%A portfolio of employability skills and assessment centre taskThe portfolio consists of a series of elements. Following the completion of a formative skills audit, and a session designed jointly with the careers service, students produce a CV and covering letter to apply for a mock graduate job. They then complete a 10-minute timed online Numeracy Test on the KLE followed by a 90-minute Assessment Centre task modelled on that used by the Civil Service.
1) Students create a CV and Cover Letter suitable for a graduate scheme application.
2) Students complete a "mock" graduate scheme application, including competency-based questions.
The total length of the portfolio is equivalent to 1000 words.
2: Group Assessment weighted 30%Extended Group Assessment (approximately 3 weeks)Group assessment 1 focuses on teams bidding for a "business contract". To bid for this contract, each team must demonstrate their suitability by completing a three-week task involving data analytics. The output of this task is a tending document and presentation suitable for their business client with recommendations to increase revenues and profits based on data-informed insights.
The groups will be formed randomly by the tutor and will have between 4-5 members each depending on the class size.
The group's report will not exceed ten sides of A4, not including appendices, but including figures and tables. A separate submission must include an initial project plan, record of collective decision making via minutes of meetings, and reflection on individual contribution. Formatting guides will be provided. The presentation's length will not exceed ten minutes, followed by questions for 5 minutes. Each member must contribute to the presentation, but the questions can be answered by anyone.
A group assessment mark will be allocated based on the report, oral presentation and the group management documents. Individual contributions to group work will be assessed using tutor-moderated self- and peer-assessment. Each individual member of a group will be required to complete a peer review form assessing their contribution as well as the other members of their group. This includes giving a score along with justification. The peer assessment score will be used to scale the group assessment mark to allocate an individual mark. Details on the peer assessment procedure and allocation of marks will be explained at the beginning of the project.
The groups are expected to spend a maximum of 12 hours over the duration of this
assessment.
3: Group Assessment weighted 40%Extended Group Assessment 2 (approximately 5 weeks)Group assessment 2 focuses on a graduate-level business task that the groups complete in five weeks. The task involves analyzing a much larger and challenging dataset compared to Group assessment 1 The output of this task is writing a business report and oral presentation to the business client. The groups will be formed randomly by the tutor and will have between 4-5 members each
depending on the class size.
The group's business report will not exceed ten sides of A4, not including appendices, but including figures and tables. A separate group submission includes an initial project plan, record of collective decision making via minutes of meetings, and reflection on individual contribution. Formatting guides will be provided. The presentation's length will not exceed ten minutes, followed by 5 minutes for questions. Each member must contribute to the presentation, but the questions can be answered by anyone.
A group assessment mark will be allocated based on the report, oral presentation and the group management documents. Throughout the group assessment, Individual contributions to group work will be assessed using tutor-moderated self- and peer-assessment. Each individual member of a group will be required to complete a peer review form assessing their contribution as well as the other members of their group. This includes giving a score along with justification. The peer assessment score will be used to scale the group assessment mark to allocate an individual mark. Details on the peer assessment procedure and allocation of marks will be explained at the beginning of the project.
The groups are expected to spend a maximum of 16 hours over the duration of this
assessment.
