UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE
DEPARTMENT OF TEACHER EDUCATION
UNITED COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
DIPLOMA IN EDUCATION (PRIMARY)
GENERAL COURSE / EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT COURSE
MATHEMATICS MAIN STUDY SYLLABUS
1.0 PREAMBLE
This syllabus is designed for post ‘O’ Level students pursuing a three-year pre-service
Diploma in Education (Primary) Course. The course follows a 3-3-3 model of training, that
is, initial three residential terms, three terms on Teaching Practice including Distance
Learning and the final three residential terms. The syllabus intends to broaden the students’
understanding of Mathematics as an academic discipline.
2.0 AIMS
The course aims to:
2.1 broaden students’ knowledge and understanding of Mathematics;
2.2 develop, in students, an appreciation of Mathematics as a logical and coherent
subject;
2.3 impart mathematical skills that will enable students to interact more meaningfully
with their environment; and
2.4 produce Mathematics teachers that can integrate technology in the teaching of
Mathematics.
3.0 LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the course students should be able to:
3.1 use mathematical symbols, vocabulary and methodology accurately and
appropriately;
3.2 communicate mathematical concepts in a logical manner;
3.3 use advanced mathematical skills and techniques in solving mathematical problems;
3.4 apply problem solving strategies in solving real life situations;
3.5 calculate numerical data and make reasonable predictions and inferences;
3.6 use Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to solve mathematical
problems; and
3.7 inculcate mathematical skills that will enable students to interact more meaningfully
with learners of diverse needs.
1
4.0 CONTENT
FIRST RESIDENTIAL PHASE
4.1 Indices
4.1.1 Surds
4.1.2 Laws of indices
4.1.3 Rational indices
4.1.4 Zero and negative indices.
4.2 Logarithms
4.2.1 Laws of logarithms
4.2.2 Change to bases
4.2.3 Relationship between logarithm and indices.
4.3 Polynomials
4.3.1 Algebraic expressions
4.3.2 Concept of polynomials
4.3.3 Operation of polynomials
[Link] Addition
[Link] Subtraction
[Link] Multiplication and
[Link] Division
4.3.4 Factorisation of polynomials.
4.4 Identities
4.4.1 Meaning of identity
4.4.2 Partial fractions
4.4.3 Simple Trigonometric identities.
4.5 Equations
4.5.1 Identity and equation
4.5.2 Types of equations
[Link] Linear
[Link] Quadratic
[Link] Cubic
[Link] Rationale
2
[Link] Quartic
[Link] Simultaneous equations.
4.6 Inequalities
4.6.1 Properties of inequalities
4.6.2 Types of inequalities
[Link] Linear
[Link] Quadratic
[Link] Rational.
4.7 Coordinate Geometry
4.7.1 Cartesian coordinates
4.7.2 Midpoint of two points
4.7.3 Distance between two points
4.7.4 Gradient of a straight line
4.7.5 Parallel lines and perpendicular lines
4.7.6 Collinear points
4.7.7 Equation of a straight line
4.7.8 Intersection of straight lines.
4.8 Functions
4.8.1 Functions
[Link] Concept of function and notation
[Link] Composite functions
[Link] Inverse functions
4.8.2 Graphs
[Link] Concept of a graph
[Link] Relationship between an algebraic equation and graphs;
1
[Link] Graph y = kxn where k is a constant and n is a positive integer or n=± ;
2
and
[Link] Graph of y = f(x) where f(x) is a quadratic function or f(x)=ax2 + bx + c
where a,b and c are constants.
4.8.3 Special functions
[Link] Polynomial
3
[Link] Rational
[Link] Trigonometric
[Link] Logarithmic
[Link] Exponential.
4.8.4 Transformations
[Link] linear transformations.
4.9 Trigonometry
4.9.1 Trigonometric functions
[Link] Sine
[Link] Cosine
[Link] Tangent
[Link] Secant
[Link] Cosecant
[Link] Cotangent, of any angle.
4.9.2 Special angles
[Link] Sine
[Link] Cosine
[Link] Tangent.
4.9.3 Inverse trigonometric functions
4.9.4. Graphs of:
[Link] Sine
[Link] Cosine
[Link] Tangent.
4.9.5 Trigonometric equations
4.9.6 Addition formulae
4.9.7 The t- formulae
4.9.8 Proofs of Trigonometric identities
4.9.9 Plane Trigonometry
[Link] Use of sine and cosine rules
[Link] Area of a triangle
[Link] Circular measure.
4.10 Vectors
4.10.1 Types of vectors
4
4.10.2 Representation of vectors
4.10.3 Algebra of vector
4.10.4 Applications of vectors in geometry and kinematics.
4.11 Matrices
4.11.1 Types of matrices
4.11.2 Algebra of matrices
4.11.3 Determinants and inverses of matrices
4.11.4 Applications of matrices.
4.12 Differentiation
4.12.1 Differentiation from first principles
4.12.2 Differentiation of standard functions
4.12.3 Differentiation of parametric and implicit functions
4.12.4 Application of differentiation
4.12.5 Higher order derivatives.
4.13 Integration
4.13.1 Indefinite integration as the reverse process of differentiation including
integration of standard functions
4.13.2 Integration as the limit of area under a curve
4.13.3 Integration by substitution by parts
4.13.4 Definite integrals
4.13.5 Application of integration.
4.14 Series
4.14.1 Definition of sequences and series;
4.14.2 Arithmetic Progression (AP) and Geometric Progression (GP)
4.14.3 Binomial theorem.
DISTANCE LEARNING
4.15 Statistics
4.15.1 Collection and sampling of data
[Link] Sampling
5
[Link] Frequency tables
[Link] Frequency polygons
[Link] Histograms
[Link] Cumulative frequency curve.
4.15.2 Measure of Central Tendency
[Link] Mean
[Link] Median
[Link] Mode.
4.15.3 Measure of Dispersion
[Link] Range
[Link] Quartiles and inter-quartile ranges
[Link] Variance and standard deviation.
4.15.4 Regression and correlation
[Link] Scatter diagram
[Link] Regression lines
[Link] Product correlation coefficient.
4.15.5 Hypothesis testing
[Link] Parametric tests
[Link] The concept of hypothesis testing
[Link] Testing hypothesis about the mean
[Link] Testing hypothesis about the difference of two means
[Link] The Chi-Square Distribution
4.16 Mathematics and Information Communication Technology (ICT)
4.16.1 Data entry in MS word
4.16.2 Inserting rows and columns
4.16.3 Using basic arithmetic and logical formulae
4.16.4 Making charts and graphs from spreadsheet figures.
FINAL RESIDENTIAL PHASE
4.17 Probability
4.17.1 Addition and multiplication of probabilities
4.17.2 Exclusive and independent events
6
4.17.3 Conditional Probability
4.17.4 The tree diagram
4.17.5 Baye’s Theorem
4.18 Probability distributions
4.18.1Discrete and Continuous random variables
4.18.2 Probability distributions
4.18.3 Distributions functions
4.18.4 The concept of mathematical expectations
4.18.5 The mean or expected value of a random variables and properties of
mean
4.18.6 The variance of a random variable and its properties
4.19 Mechanics
4.19.1 Statics
[Link] Types of forces
[Link] Composition and resolution of forces
[Link] Equilibrium of a particle
[Link] Friction.
4.19.2 Kinematics
[Link] Displacement, velocity and acceleration
[Link] Uniform acceleration
[Link] Newton laws of motion
[Link] Connected particles.
4.20 Group Theory
4.20.1 Concept of a group
4.20.2 Axioms
[Link] Closure
[Link] Identity
[Link] Inverse
[Link] Associativity
4.20.3 Order of a group
7
4.20.4 Abelian group.
4.21 Limits
4.21.1 Concept of limits
4.21.2 Limit of:
[Link] Sum
[Link] Product
[Link] Quotient.
5.0 APPROACHES
5.1 Lectures
5.2 Demonstrations
5.3 Seminars
5.4 Discussions
5.5 Research
5.6 Distance learning
5.7 Information Communication and Technology (ICT)
5.8 Seminars
5.9 Tours
6.0 ASSESSMENT
6.1 Final assessment consists of coursework and examination as follows:
6.1.1 Coursework (30%)
[Link] Coursework comprises an assignment and an in-class test of equal weighting
both written in the final residential phase.
6.1.2 Examination (70%)
[Link] Two 3-hour papers.
6.3 Candidates pass each component separately with a minimum average of 50%.