© 1997 by Institute of Mathematics and its Applications
Mathematics A-Level as Preparation for University Mathematics-based Programmes
Mario Micallef has been the Mathematics Admissions Tutor at Warwick University for two years. He is involved in the development of the Mathematics undergraduate curriculum at Warwick and regularly teaches a section of the first-year course in analysis. Dr Micallef is a Reader of Mathematics and his primary interest is research in differential geometry
Address for correspondence: Mathematics Institute, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK. (maug{at}maths.warwick.ac.uk)
Mathematics A-level is being expected to serve a dual role:
as preparation for a mathematics based course at university and
to equip candidates with advanced mathematical skills required for the quantitative aspects of other subjects and by employers.
The current A-level is failing to identify and adequately prepare those best suited for mathematics-based courses at university. A higher mathematics syllabus is proposed for these students; the Mathematics A-level can then be adjusted to better serve its other role. Such a dual mathematics programme already exists in many curricula.