Calling anyone who has studied maths with the OU!

[domesticsluttery]

as I know there are a few on here...

I have just finished an OU qualification, the Certificate in Early Years Practice. I had decided to take a break from studying, but have been looking through courses and thoght that the Certificate in Mathematics looked quite interesting. I would probably do Using Mathematics and Discovering Mathematics.

I have a degree in Economics and Accounting from a brick university, so am not completely unfamiliar with maths based subjects, but that was quite a while ago.

What are the TMAs like on these courses? On my previous courses they were essay based, so I assume that they will be different for these.

Is it advisable to study the Starting with Maths Openings course first?

anyone...? Or are you all too busy doing quadratic equations?

I did the Certificate last year, but choose MST121 - Using Mathamatics and MS221 - Exploring Mathematics. I really enjoyed it.

Your background sounds similar to mine - I've got a degree in Economics, but not A Level maths. I think the Starting with Maths course would be far too easy for you, even if your maths is a bit rusty.

Regarding TMA's they were fine. For MST121 they tended to have 6 multi-part questions, 2 from each unit. I've always found it much easier to score well with short answer rather than essays - and the bonus with the courses you are thinking about is there is no exam!

Thanks Jaxx.

Like you I studied Economics without a Maths A level (which seems strange looking back was pretty common!).

No exams certainly sounds good. Now I just have to work out if I can afford another course.

I did one called mathematics in computing(discontinued). It was great and the tmas were multi part questions. I teach maths A level and was doing it as part of a computing dip. I actually dropped a computing module as the course materials were so crap and took the maths in computing so as not to waste my fees!The maths course materials were really good.

hello, I'm doing maths (funny that :o) - full degree with OU.

I looooove it. I've done MST121, MS221 and am doing M208 now. 221 has an exam but 121 doesn't.

TMAs are great, you also get CMAs on some courses - multiple choice!

love the resources although the DVDs are ancient and somewhat cringeworthy!

I would hazard a guess that if you're not totally out of touch with maths, from having done economics etc, that the openings one would be too easy for you. I didn't find 121 much harder than A level, but then I'd only been out of education about a year.

Hi, sorry this reply may be a bit late.

I'm just about to start MST121 and MST123; Using Mathemtics and Discovering Mathematics. I have registered for MST221 for October 2011.

Just doing the CMA for 121, it has made me realise how out of shape (in maths terms) I am. I loved maths at school. Finished 10 years ago, done some college in between, but having three children I found it hard trying to juggle my life around, especially as the college was miles away from home. So I decided to opt for OU. I just hope to make some friends from there too :)