Faculty of Science

B.A. Mathematics

Programme Code: 00000

Programme Description

Mathematics Department is one of the pioneer units in the Faculty of Sciences that was established as a servicing unit at the inception of the University in 2004. The unit continued in its servicing capacity until the 2008 academic session when the full B.Sc. (Mathematics) programme took off.

Vision

The BSc. Mathematics programme is designed to equip the undergraduate students with the basic requirement for serving in a professional capacity in most areas of computation Mathematics as well as develop knowledge in theory of applied Mathematics. The degree programme would explore all the basic rudimentary or foundation knowledge of computing technology not known to most of students with the tools for computational techniques and thinking, as they would be exposed to the fundamentals of computing processes.

Mision

The BSc. Mathematics programme is designed to equip the undergraduate students with the basic requirement for serving in a professional capacity in most areas of computation Mathematics as well as develop knowledge in theory of applied Mathematics. The degree programme would explore all the basic rudimentary or foundation knowledge of computing technology not known to most of students with the tools for computational techniques and thinking, as they would be exposed to the fundamentals of computing processes.

Aims

The BSc. Mathematics programme is designed to equip the undergraduate students with the basic requirement for serving in a professional capacity in most areas of computation Mathematics as well as develop knowledge in theory of applied Mathematics. The degree programme would explore all the basic rudimentary or foundation knowledge of computing technology not known to most of students with the tools for computational techniques and thinking, as they would be exposed to the fundamentals of computing processes.

Objectives

To be the most learner-focused and learner-sensitive programme at the National Open University of Nigeria.

To produce competent graduates of Mathematics with sound knowledge and skills to contribute to the rapid technological growth of the Nigerian society and the word at large.
To produce competent graduates who will seek to advance and exploit entrepreneurial opportunities in the field of Mathematics.
To produce graduates who will utilize their Mathematics knowledge, skills and abilities to enhance safety, health and welfare of the public through the simulation, construction and maintenance of industrial equipment.
To produce graduates that will satisfy the manpower needs of our society in sectors of energy, industry, communication, science, engineering and research.

Entry Requirements

To be admitted into the B.Sc. Mathematics programme, a candidate is expected to possess at least one of the following:

Five (5) credit passes in Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) or at the School Certificate (SC), General Certificate of Education (GCE) Ordinary Level, National Examinations Council (NECO) or 6 merit passes in National Board for Technical Education (NABTEB) or Teachers Grade Two Certificate (TC II) examinations. The credit passes must include Mathematics and Physics. Credit pass in English language is required.
General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced level in Mathematics and Physics for entry into 200 level of the programme.
National Certificate in Education (NCE) with merit passes in Mathematics and Physics or Physics and Chemistry for entry into 200 level of the programme.
National Diploma (N.D.) in the Mathematical sciences or equivalent qualification from an institution recognized by Senate for entry into 200 level of the programme.
Degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) or equivalent qualification in any physical science from an institution recognized by Senate for entry into 200 level of the programme.

Note: All direct entry candidates must satisfy the ordinary level requirement.

Programme Structure

Course Credit System

Subjects taught in the Unit are based on the ‘course system’ in which the subject areas are broken down into courses which are examinable. The courses are organized into levels (100-400 levels) in an order according to the academic progress.

Classification of Courses
The courses in the Unit are classified as follows:
1. Compulsory courses: These are the core courses that must be offered and passed by students at a grade not below E
2. Elective Courses: These are optional courses which may be offered based on the interest of the student or for the purpose of fulfilling the minimum requirement for the award of the degree.
3. General Studies Courses: These consist of the university general studies courses coded GST. They are compulsory courses for all students of the university and are being offered by the University in compliance with the National University Commission (NUC) minimum Bench Mark.

Criteria for the award of B.Sc (Mathematics) Degree

The student is required to pass all compulsory courses and complete a minimum of 140 credits units of core courses and at least 12 units of electives for 8 semesters to qualify to be admitted into the B.Sc. Mathematics degree. Direct entry must pass minimum of 110 credit units of core courses and at least 10 units of elective courses for a 6 semesters to qualify to be admitted into the B.Sc. Mathematics degree. The compulsory courses are made up of those courses specifically labeled as compulsory (C) and the required elective courses labeled as elective (E).

Degree Rules

Evaluation:  
There are two aspects to the assessment of this programme. First, there are Tutor Marked Assignments (TMA) which is 30% of the total course mark. At the end of the course, 100 – 200 level students would sit for Computer Based Test [CBT] (E-examination) and 300-400 level students would sit for written examination called Pen on Paper (POP) which has a value of 70% of the total course grade.

Outline of Courses Structure –

Course Structure Mathematics Programme

100 Level — 1st Semester

Course Code	Course Title	Unit(s)	Status
BIO101	General Biology I	2	C
BIO191	General Biology Practical I	1	C
CHM101	Introductory Inorganic Chemistry	2	C
CHM103	Introductory Physical Chemistry	2	C
CHM191	Introductory Practical Chemistry I	1	C
CIT104	Introduction to Computer Science	2	C
MTH101	Elementary Mathematics I	3	C
MTH103	Elementary Mathematics II	3	C
PHY101	Elementary Mechanics, Heat and Properties of Matter	2	C
PHY191	Introductory Practical Physics I	1	C
GST101	Use of English and Communication Skills	2	C
GST107	The Good Study Guide	2	C
	Total Credit Units	23

100 Level — 2nd Semester

Course Code	Course Title	Unit(s)	Status
BIO102	General Biology II	2	C
BIO192	General Biology Practical II	1	C
CIT102	Software Application Skills	2	C
CHM102	Introductory Organic Chemistry	2		C
CHM192	Introductory Practical Chemistry II	1		C
MTH102	Elementary Mathematical II	3	C
STT102	Introductory Statistics	2	C
PHY102	Electricity, Magnetism and Modern Physics	3	C
PHY192	Introductory Physics Laboratory II	1	C
GST102	Use of English and Communication Skills II	2	C
		19

200 Level — 1st Semester

Course Code	Course Title	Unit(s)	Status
CIT215	Introduction to Programming Languages	3	C
MTH211	Abstract Algebra	3	C
MTH213	Numerical Analysis I	3	C
MTH241	Introduction to Real Analysis	3	C
MTH281	Mathematical Methods I	3	C
STT211	Probability Distribution I	3	C
GST201	Nigerian Peoples and Culture	2	C
GST203	Introduction to Philosophy and Logic	2	C
	Elective	2	E
	Total Credit Units	24

Summary of Distribution of Courses Credit

BIO101: General Biology I (2 Units)

Characteristics of living things; cell as the basic unit of living things, cell structure, organization, cellular organelles, tissues, organs and systems.

Classification of living things, general reproduction and concept of inter-relationships of organism. Heredity and evolution. Elements of ecology (introduction) and habitats.

BIO102: General Biology II (2 Units)

Course Code	Course Title	Unit(s)	Status
BIO102	General Biology II	2	C
BIO192	General Biology Practical II	1	C
CIT102	Software Application Skills	2	C
CHM102	Introductory Organic Chemistry	2		C
CHM192	Introductory Practical Chemistry II	1		C
MTH102	Elementary Mathematical II	3	C
STT102	Introductory Statistics	2	C
PHY102	Electricity, Magnetism and Modern Physics	3	C
PHY192	Introductory Physics Laboratory II	1	C
GST102	Use of English and Communication Skills II	2	C
		19

BIO191: General Biology Practical I (1 Unit)

Course Code	Course Title	Unit(s)	Status
CIT215	Introduction to Programming Languages	3	C
MTH211	Abstract Algebra	3	C
MTH213	Numerical Analysis I	3	C
MTH241	Introduction to Real Analysis	3	C
MTH281	Mathematical Methods I	3	C
STT211	Probability Distribution I	3	C
GST201	Nigerian Peoples and Culture	2	C
GST203	Introduction to Philosophy and Logic	2	C
	Elective	2	E
	Total Credit Units	24

How to Apply