Mathematics: Specialist Mathematics Units 3 & 4

OVERVIEW

Specialist Mathematics is designed to provide access to worthwhile and challenging mathematical learning in a way which takes into account the needs and aspirations of a wide range of students. It is also designed to promote students’ awareness of the importance of mathematics in everyday life in a technological society, and confidence in making effecting use of mathematical ideas, techniques and processes.

Each unit deals with specific content and is designed to enable students to achieve a set of outcomes.

Enrolment in Specialist Mathematics Units 3 and 4 assumes a current enrolment in, or previous completion of Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4.

In addition, students attempting Specialist Mathematics Units 3 and 4 are expected to have successfully completed Specialist Mathematics Units 1 and 2.

CONTENT

AREAS OF STUDY

• Functions and Graphs
• Algebra
• Calculus
• Mechanics
• Vectors
• Probability and Statistics

The appropriate use of technology to support and develop the teaching and learning of mathematics is to be incorporated throughout the units. In particular, students are encouraged to use graphics calculators and other technologies both in the learning of new material and the application of this material in a variety of different contexts.

Specialist Mathematics can only be undertaken in conjunction with Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4.  They may be studied concurrently, or Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4 may have been previously completed.

SPECIAL NOTE FOR MATHEMATICS STUDIES

Various combinations of units are possible. Students should be guided by their Mathematics teachers and select units very carefully.  In addition, the careers adviser should be consulted in order to determine pre-requisites for further courses of study.  The standard sequences of mathematics which can be studied are as follows:

Please note the following:

• Please note that at WCC General Mathematics and Specialist Mathematics cannot BOTH be undertaken in the same calendar year. Permission to complete all three Mathematics subjects is only under special circumstances and is worked through in conjunction with the Head of Mathematics and the VCE Coordinator.
• Specialist Mathematics Units 3 and 4 must be studied in conjunction with Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4, not in isolation. It will offer certain students the maximum possible depth of mathematics tuition for entry into specialised tertiary courses.
• Specialist Mathematics Units 1 and 2 must be studied in conjunction with Mathematical Methods Units 1 and 2.
• Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4 cannot be undertaken without Mathematical Methods Units 1 and 2 having been previously completed.
• Students who only take Units 1 and 2 of General Mathematics may be eligible for some tertiary courses which require two units of mathematics (eg. Physical Education). Students who subsequently progress to Units 3 and 4 of Further Mathematics will have a broader range of tertiary course options.