Superstart

Superstart is a refresher course for students planning to enrol in MATHS 108, MATHS 150 or ENGSCI 111 and who do not have a strong background in Mathematics with Calculus.

Superstart is a two-week intensive course held from mid-February each year.

Superstart aims to make a big difference to students enroling in MATHS 108, MATHS 150, or ENGSCI 111 who do not have a strong background in Mathematics with Calculus and so are likely to fail their first-year mathematics course.

Superstart aims to boost students' skills and understanding to make a pass in the standard papers more achievable.

Superstart has been running since 2000, as a joint initiative of the Department of Mathematics and the Faculty of Engineering, with excellent results: its students generally achieve pass rates at or above class averages, and some gain A passes.

The course is intended for students enrolling in Stage 1 mathematics (not statistics) who have

• a low level of achievement in NCEA Level 3 Calculus (achievement rather than merit) or in CIE A2 Mathematics or
• gaps in their preparation, either from incomplete Level 3 NCEA credits or by having completed CIE AS rather than A2
• studied Statistics rather than Calculus at level 3
• 7th form equivalent qualifications, but have not studied mathematics for some time.

Other students find Superstart useful for discovering exactly where they should start their career in university mathematics, or in giving them a head start in MATHS 102.

Students intending to enrol in the courses below should have NCEA level 3 (or equivalent) in Calculus with the following attainments:

• ENGSCI 111 "Mathematical Modelling 1" and MATHS 150 "Advancing Mathematics 1" require at least 18 credits at level 3 Calculus, of which at least 6 credits must be merit level or higher
• MATHS 108 "General mathematics 1" requires at least 12 credits in Calculus, or at least 18 credits in Statistics

Students without adequate background for these courses should consider a full course in a preparatory paper: MATHS 102 "Functioning in Mathematics" is appropriate.

Students with an average of merit in their NCEA Calculus credits should pass the standard first-year university mathematics courses (if they put the recommended amount of work into the course).

Eligible students with a low level of achievement or gaps in their Calculus preparation should consider completing the Superstart course.

10 Day course: recommended for most students
18 February - 1 March 2013
9am - 4pm each day
Cost: $260

7 Day course: recommended for students with strong algebra and a good understanding of functions but with gaps in calculus and/or trigonometry
21 February - 1 March 2013
9am - 4pm each day
Cost: $190

The mornings will be devoted to a mathematical core common to all disciplines and will consist of a lecture followed by work on exercises with the assistance of tutors.

The afternoons may contain some core material but will also contain some two hour modules covering a variety of themes. There will be some choice depending on a student's intended discipline.

Print out and complete the 2013 Enrolment Form

and either

• post it to the
  Student Resource Centre
  Faculty of Science
  University of Auckland
  Private Bag 92019
  Auckland 1142

or

• bring it to the
  Student Resource Centre
  Ground Floor, Room G16, Maths-Physics Building
  38 Princes Street
  (Open on week days 9am-4pm)
  or
  to the office of the Mathematics Department
  4th floor, Maths-Physics Building
  38 Princes Street

or

• scan your completed application and email it to src@math.auckland.ac.nz.

You will be sent a receipt for the course fee.

Enrolments will be accepted until the course is full. If you are enrolling after 11 February, it is best to do so in person at the Student Resource Centre.

• Students enrolled for the 10 day course should register on Monday 18 February, between 8:30 and 8:45am, in room G16 on the ground floor of the Maths/Physics Building 303, at 38 Princes St. Bring with you the course fee receipt, pens, plenty of scrap paper, and maybe your calculator.
• Students enrolled for the 7 day course should go to the same place, at the same time, with the same equipment, on Thursday, 21 February.

If you are concerned that your enrolment has not been received, or have questions, please phone 09 923 5757 and leave a message if necessary. Your call will be returned.

For enquiries related to the course please contact the

Superstart Coordinator
Wendy Stratton
Phone: +64 9 373 7599 ext 85757
Email: superstart@math.auckland.ac.nz