Unit Outline
XAB090
Bridging Maths
Semester 1, 2025
Jane Stratton
University College
University College
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B
Unit Coordinator
Jane Stratton
Email: Jane.Stratton@utas.edu.au
 
What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
Bridging Maths explores essential foundation skills and knowledge in mathematics. This unit is designed to help you to improve your maths skills, build self-confidence, develop logical thinking skills, and encourage good study habits to support independent study. You will have the opportunity to practice fundamental skills before applying your knowledge to solve problems. This unit can help you prepare for further study in business and science related courses and is recommended as a starting point for students who have not studied pre-tertiary mathematics in years 11 & 12. Topics covered include: order of operations, basic algebra, linear/quadratic/exponential equations, graphical methods and modelling, indices and logarithms, sequences and series, trigonometry, and basic statistics.
Intended Learning Outcomes
As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.
On completion of this unit, you will be able to:
1
Use conventional mathematical notation and terminology to communicate fundamental algebraic techniques.
2
Demonstrate mathematical fluency and proficiency through diverse skills practice.
3
Apply appropriate mathematical techniques to interpret equations, tables, graphs, and solve word-based problems in a range of contexts.
4
Independently select and carry out relevant mathematical procedures.
Alterations as a result of student feedback
Not yet determined.
 
 
Teaching arrangements
ATTENDANCE MODE
TEACHING TYPE
LEARNING ACTIVITY
CONTACT HOURS
FREQUENCY
Online
Independent Learning
7-hrs preparation, skills practice & assessments/assignments
7
Weekly
Workshop (Online)
2 x 1-hr Zoom workshop
2
Weekly
Tutorial (Online)
1-hr Zoom tutorial
1
Weekly
Online Class
2 x 1-hr Zoom learning/study support (optional - to assist with independent study & assessment tasks)
2
Weekly
Attendance / engagement expectations
If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online or includes online activities, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline or MyLO, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.
 
 
 
 
How will I be Assessed?
 
For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.
Assessment schedule
ASSESSMENT TASK #
ASSESSMENT TASK NAME
DATE DUE
WEIGHT
LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:
Skills Practice Quizzes
See the MyLO site for the due date
10 %
LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:
Evidence of Learning
See the MyLO site for the due date
20 %
LO2
Assessment Task 3:
Written Assignments
See the MyLO site for the due date
30 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:
Final Exam/Online Test
Exam Period
40 %
LO1, LO3, LO4
 
Assessment details
Assessment Task 1: Skills Practice Quizzes
Task Description:
Quizzes are released and due weekly. Each quiz contains 5 short answer questions and you will have unlimited attempts during the quiz availability period.

See the Assessment Info. Folder in MyLO Content for further details.
Task Length:
5 multiple choice questions per attempt. Recommended time allocation: 1 – 2 hours per week (as part of your 10 hours of study per week for this unit).
Due Date:
See the MyLO site for the due date
Weight:
10 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Correctly use and interpret basic mathematical terminology
LO2, LO3
2
Demonstrate a commitment to regular skills practice
LO2, LO3
3
Apply effective time-management techniques
LO2, LO3
 
Assessment Task 2: Evidence of Learning
Task Description:
Materials are released and due weekly via MyLO. Each week you will complete/submit the following:

a) Content Summary Part A (template provided) - prepare for workshops/guided applications using the self-study webpage. Recommended time allocation: 2 - 2.5 hours per week.

b) Content Summary Part B (template provided) - complete the guided applications with support in workshops and/or asynchronously using the materials provided. Recommended time allocation: 2 - 2.5 hours per week (including timetabled workshops).

c) Content Summary Part C (template provided) - complete the self-reflection questions. Recommended time allocation: 10 - 15 minutes per week.

This assessment task rewards ongoing engagement, effort, and commitment to study throughout the semester. Note that Content Summary Templates will require you to download/print a template from MyLO, hand-write your notes/answers in the spaces provided, and upload a single PDF file of your work.

See the Assessment Info. Folder in MyLO Content for further details.
Task Length:
AT2a: Fill-in-the-blank/short answer questions and own handwritten notes (equivalent 3 – 5 pages) per week. AT2b: Minimum of 10 short answer maths questions. AT2c: 10 - 15 Multi-select/Likert scale/short answer self-reflection questions per week. Recommended time allocation: 4 - 5 hours total per week (as part of your 10 hours of study per week for this unit).
Due Date:
See the MyLO site for the due date
Weight:
20 %
 
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Effective preparation for, and attendance of tutorials (or asynchronous equivalent).
LO2
2
Demonstrate a commitment to regular skills practice and reflection on progress.
LO2
3
Apply effective time-management techniques,
LO2
 
Assessment Task 3: Written Assignments
Task Description:
There are 4 written assignments in this unit (due in weeks 3, 6 ,9 & 12). Written Assignments will include 8 – 10 multi-part short answer exam style questions to allow you to practice your skills and get feedback from your teacher in preparation for the end of semester exam.

For each Written Assignment you need to download/print the assignment, hand-write your answers in the spaces provided, and upload a single PDF file of your work to MyLO.

We suggest allocating 2 - 3 hours per week to completing this task and strongly recommend that you plan to attend the 'optional online' Zoom Help Sessions on MyTimetable to get real-time, personalised support.

See the Assessment Info. Folder in MyLO Content for further details.
Task Length:
8 – 10 multi-part short answer questions per assignment.
Due Date:
See the MyLO site for the due date
Weight:
30 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Interpret question scenarios, identify methodology and/or formulae required, and produce a solution.
LO3, LO4
2
Effectively communicate quantitative information.
LO1
3
Apply effective time-management techniques.
LO2
 
Assessment Task 4: Final Exam/Online Test
Task Description:
The exam is an open-book online test completed during the Exam Period.

The exam will consist of 15 multi-part short-answer questions to assess all topics covered in Modules 1-13 (similar to those covered in your weekly Content Summary Templates and Written Assignments). Exams are timetabled by the Exams Office, and you are expected to make yourself available at the allocated time which will be released to you in eStudent towards the end of semester.

The online exam process has a 4-hour overall time limit (adjusted if you have a Learning Access Plan) - on the day you will need to organise yourself so that you can download/print the exam from MyLO, complete all the questions showing your working out in your own handwriting, and upload your completed exam to the MyLO Assignments. Zoom/phone support will be available at the start and end of the Exam for students who encounter technical difficulties.

See the Assessment Info. Folder in MyLO Content for further details.
Task Length:
15 multi-part short answer questions (3 hours writing time + 1 hour reading/admin. time).
Due Date:
Exam Period
Weight:
40 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Correctly use basic mathematical terminology.
LO1
2
Effectively communicate quantitative information.
LO1, LO3
3
Interpret question scenarios, identify methodology and/or formulae required, and produce a solution.
LO3, LO4
 
 
 
How your final result is determined
To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.
Academic progress review
The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.
Submission of assignments
Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.
Academic integrity
Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.
Requests for extensions
If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.
 
A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.
 
The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.
Late penalties
Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.
 
Review of results and appeals
You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.
 
 
 
Required Resources
Required reading materials
All required readings are available online and accessed via the online content and activities through MyLO.
 
Recommended reading materials
All required learning materials for the unit will be supplied via MyLO and should be considered the primary resource. However, you may also find it helpful to consult alternative resources for further background information or to explore topics in more depth. Please be aware that different resources may use varying notation or different formulae/techniques. If you encounter anything you are unsure of, please ask your teachers.
These peer-reviewed, openly licensed textbooks are available online for free, can be downloaded as a PDF, and are low cost in print. The online versions are interactive and have links to additional resources if you need more explanation. While these texts cover similar topics, the level of detail varies. Explore the different options to find the level that best suits your current understanding of a topic.
OpenStax Prealgebra 2e (https://openstax.org/details/books/prealgebra-2e)
OpenStax Elementary Algebra 2e (https://openstax.org/details/books/elementary-algebra-2e)
OpenStax Intermediate Algebra 2e (https://openstax.org/details/books/intermediate-algebra-2e)
OpenStax Algebra and Trigonometry 2e (https://openstax.org/details/books/algebra-and-trigonometry-2e)
You may also find these open-source websites useful for additional explanations and examples.
Khan Academy – Maths: https://www.khanacademy.org/math
Maths is Fun: https://www.mathsisfun.com
 
Other required resources
It is essential to have a non-programmable scientific calculator.

Recommended calculator models include:
o Casio fx-82AU plus
o Canon F-717SGA
o Any other ‘natural display’ scientific calculator

NB CAS calculators, mobile phones, online calculators or other equivalent apps (including Generative AI technologies) are not permitted and their use will be deemed a breach of academic integrity.

General stationery for this unit should include, note paper, pens (useful to have different colours), pencils, a ruler, and graph paper. It would also be useful to have a ring binder for collating notes and handouts. Please have a workbook dedicated to this unit to keep all your work in one place.