In this unit we see how finite and infinite series are obtained from finite and infinite sequences. We explain how the partial sums of an infinite series form a new sequence, and that the limit of this new sequence (if it exists) defines the sum of the series. We also consider two specific examples of infinite series that sum to e and pi respectively. (Mathtutor Video Tutorial) This resource is released under a Creative Commons license Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivative Works and the copyright is held by Skillbank Solutions Ltd.

The Mathematics Clinic is provided throughout the teaching year.

• Offered on a drop-in basis to ALL university students accessing mathematical modules.
• Timetabled to be accessible to all Stage One and Stage Two specialist mathematics students, (main users: Stage One students in first semester).
• Clinic is staffed by friendly, approachable and experienced members of staff.
• Feedback confirms student appreciation of this facility.

Wider access students i.e. those people who have narrowly missed the entrance requirements, are given a chance to "topup" their mathematical knowledge before entering Napier University. They can study at their own pace over the summer vacation. There is regular communication with a university tutor and extra study sessions are held during August at the University.

The past decade or so has seen a huge growth in the number of mathematics support centres within UK higher education institutions as they come to terms with an increasing volume of students who are poorly prepared for the mathematical demands of their chosen courses. In other parts of the world we observe similar developments. In the early years many centres were short-lived enterprises staffed either by concerned volunteers who found a few hours in the week to offer additional support, or alternatively by part-time staff on short-term contracts. More recently, we have observed a trend to more substantial support centres many of which attract central funding and dedicated staff. Given this trend there is a need to ask whether our efforts are worthwhile, how we might know this, and whether we can justify ongoing funding. This talk by TONY CROFT of Loughborough University at Queensland University of Technology, 2009, will describe some of the challenges associated with acquiring data on effectiveness. Various ways in which we can measure our success will be explored. Finally, several exemplars will be provided of work being undertaken to capture the sort of evidence required to secure continued funding of mathematics support centres.

Three questions involving the transpoition of formulae. DEWIS resources have been made available under a Creative Commons licence by Rhys Gwynllyw & Karen Henderson, University of the West of England, Bristol.

A common mathematical problem is to find the angles or lengths of the sides of a triangle when some, but not all, of these quantities are known. It is also useful to be able to calculate the area of a triangle from some of this information. (Mathtutor Video Tutorial) The video is released under a Creative Commons license Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivative Works and the copyright is held by Skillbank Solutions Ltd.

The sine, cosine and tangent of an angle are all defined in terms of trigonometry, but they can also be expressed as functions. In this unit we examine these functions and their graphs. We also see how to restrict the domain of each function in order to define an inverse function. (Mathtutor Video Tutorial) This resource is released under a Creative Commons license Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivative Works and the copyright is held by Skillbank Solutions Ltd.

This mathtutor animation shows how graphs of sin, cos and tan may be plotted as angles increase in positive and negative directions. This resource is released under a Creative Commons license Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivative Works and the copyright is held by Skillbank Solutions Ltd.

Five questions on trigonometry. The first involves determining the quadrant an angle lies in, the remaining questions involve solving trigonometric equations. DEWIS resources have been made available under a Creative Commons licence by Rhys Gwynllyw & Karen Henderson, University of the West of England, Bristol.

Ni fhloinn, E., Bhaird, C. M., & Nolan, B. (2014). University students' perspectives on diagnostic testing in mathematics. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 45 (1), 58-74. DOI:10.1080/0020739X.2013.790508 Many universities issue mathematical diagnostic tests to incoming first-year students, covering a range of the basic concepts with which they should be comfortable from secondary school. As far as many lecturers are concerned, the purpose of this test is to determine the students' mathematical knowledge on entry. It should also provide an early indication of which students are likely to need additional help, and hopefully encourage such students to avail of extra support mechanisms at an early stage. However, it is not clear that students recognize these intentions and there is a fear that students who score poorly in the test will have their confidence further damaged in relation to mathematics and will be reluctant to seek help. To this end, a questionnaire was developed to explore studentsâ?? perspectives on diagnostic testing. Analysis of responses received to the questionnaire provided an interesting insight into studentsâ?? perspectives including the optimum time to conduct such a test, their views on the aims of diagnostic testing, whether they feel that testing is a good idea, and their attitudes to the support systems put in place to help those who scored poorly in the test.

Computer based assessment has been used at UWE for a number of years on certain modules run by the School of Mathematical Sciences. In this case study we discuss the operation of the assessment for a first year engineering mathematics module in which students are permitted multiple attempts and are allowed, within an specified period of time, to choose when they take the assessment. Feedback from students has been highly positive about the assessment regime and our observation is that operating the tests in this way does encourage students to work steadily throughout the year.

Quantum theory is a key part of the chemical and physical sciences. Traditionally, the teaching of quantum theory has relied heavily on the use of calculus to solve the Schr�¶dinger equation for a limited number of special cases. This approach is not suitable for students who are weak in mathematics, for example, many students who are majoring in biochemistry, biological sciences, etc. This case study describes an approach based on approximate numerical solutions and graphical descriptions of the Schr�¶dinger equation to develop a qualitative appreciation of quantum mechanics in an Australian University.

For first and second year engineering students at Napier University, the TI-83 graphics calculator plays a major role in an integrated technological approach to mathematics. This case study reviews the process of integration and its current position in the teaching of students.