IF0QMJ: Quantitative Methods

Module code: IF0QMJ

Module provider: International Study and Language Institute

Credits: 20

Level: F

When you'll be taught: Semester 2 / Summer

Module convenor: Dr Rehana Bari, email: r.bari@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): Before taking this module, you must have GCSE Mathematics (C) or equivalent. (Open)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 11 December 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Quantitative Methods introduces the key elements of statistics to an A-level standard. 

This module aims to introduce some standard quantitative techniques to allow student to deal with more advanced techniques used in a range of undergraduate degree programmes in subjects such as mathematics, sciences, business, finance, economics and many more. 

By learning the techniques required to analyse and solve a variety of statistical problems, students gain both general theoretical and numerical skills and those that are more related to their degree programme. Such skills and knowledge allow students to confidently approach quantitative study in their undergraduate degree. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Demonstrate the skills of statistical calculations and interpretation using real-world contexts 
2. represent situations mathematically and graphically to understand the relationship between problems in context and interpret solutions 
3. analyse statistical and financial data, recognise normal and binomial distributions and be able to calculate probabilities associated with them 
4. Explain the language used in hypothesis testing and interpret the findings 

Module content

The module begins with a range of basic techniques including presenting and summarising data, descriptive statistics, such as measures of central tendency, and dispersion. This is followed by probability theory, correlation, regression and time series. 

In the second half of the semester, probability theories continue with the binomial and normal distributions. The module is completed by a study of the principles of hypothesis testing. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching is delivered in person in the classroom with four 50-minute lectures and one 50-minute small group tutorial each week. Lecture materials are available online prior to each session.

Weekly optional surgery hours for individual assistance are available as required.

The schedule of this module, including start and finish dates, follows that of the January Start Foundation, which does not follow standard University Semesters. There is however significant overlap and Semesters referred to in this document are the University Semesters where most of this module teaching will take place. Information about specific key module dates will be provided by the International Foundation Programme prior to the start of the course.

Study hours

At least 66 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs