Gardiner Group

Mathematics Refresher Course for Universities

This Mathematics Refresher Course is used by the following Universities:

  • Massey University as a companion to MBA
  • University of Auckland Business School as a companion to MBA
  • University of Canterbury as a companion to MBA
  • Victoria University of Wellington as a companion to MBA
  • University of Waikato as a companion to MBA

This Mathematics Refresher Course is aimed at assisting students to gain competence with basic business mathematics and prepare them for the quantitative aspects of their University course of study.

However, the course is not restricted to University students. Anyone can register and use the resources for independent study. If you are not associated with any of the Universities listed above, you should register using "Institution" = "Independent Study".

The purpose of the refresher course is to help students develop the necessary skills and background knowledge to enable them to move successfully through their University course of study. The idea is that they really learn and understand the material and not just "get through" the course.

Content

The Mathematics Refresher Course is a computer-based self-study course.

Students enrolled for the Mathematics Refresher Course can download electronic copies of all the materials for the course including five coursebooks, five Powerpoint slide files and five assignments. Students complete the course in their own time and upload the assignments for marking.

As each assignment is completed it should be uploaded onto the Maths Refresher Website. The lecturer will mark it and return it with helpful comments as appropriate.

Ideally, students should start this course well in advance of the start of their studies so they can complete the assignments before the start of their studies. The time required to complete each module depends on the level of competence of each individual student. Each module could be completed with about 3 to 5 hours of study. Some students take about 10 hours per module.

The Mathematics Refresher Course consists of five modules

  • Introduction to mathematics
  • Mathematical tools and economics
  • Probability
  • Statistics
  • Financial mathematics

Module 1: Introduction to mathematics

  • Spreadsheets and Microsoft Excel tutorial
  • Numbers and rounding
  • Order of operations
  • Powers
  • Subscripts and summation
  • Inequalities
  • Percentage calculations
  • Prices including and excluding GST
  • Absolute values
  • Solving equations
  • Algebraic expressions

Module 2: Mathematical tools and economics

  • Straight line graphs
  • Graphs which are not straight lines
  • Slope (gradient)
  • Simultaneous equations
  • Graphing in economics
  • Using graphs

Module 3: Probability

  • Elementary probability concepts
  • Expected values
  • Measures of variation
  • Combinations and permutations
  • Binomial distribution
  • Normal distribution
  • Calculations based on normally distributed data

Module 4: Statistics

  • Descriptive statistics
  • Populations and samples
  • Central limit theorem
  • Confidence intervals
  • Correlation
  • Introduction to linear regression

Module 5: Financial mathematics

  • Simple and compound interest
  • Depreciation
  • Future value
  • Present value
  • Net present value
  • Internal rate of return.

Cost

Mathematics Refresher Course

  • Massey University: $99.00 incl GST
  • University of Auckland: $99.00 incl GST
  • University of Canterbury: $99.00 incl GST
  • Victoria University of Wellington: $99.00 incl GST
  • University of Waikato: $99.00 incl GST
  • Independent study: $99.00 incl GST

Registration

Register on the registration page.

Payment

An email is sent to the designated email address used during registration. This email contains a link and when this link has been acknowledged you should sign in to this web site.

You may make payment using VISA or Mastercard. Select Payment method "credit card".

You may make payment using internet banking. Select Payment method 'Internet banking' for a bank transfer using internet banking:

An invoice will be emailed to your email address and the invoice will contain the following payment details:

Account Name: Gardiner Consultants Limited
Account Number: 06 0287 0270357 00
Bank: ANZ Bank
Branch: Hornby Business Branch
Enter your name in CODE and invoice number (if available) in REFERENCE

Post registration:

When payment is confirmed you may sign in to this site and access the full set of course materials. Send an email to David Gardiner (Lecturer) if you have any issues or queries. Send the email to dave@gardinergroup.co.nz.

Mathematics Refresher Course Instructions

Here are some instructions to help you succeed in the refresher course.

The purpose of the refresher course is to help you develop the necessary skills and background knowledge to enable you to move successfully through your Graduate Programmes course of study. The idea is that you really learn and understand the material, not that you just "get through" the course.

You should have (or will be able to access) the following course materials

  • A set of five Adobe pdf files containing the course book notes
  • A set of five Powerpoint slides to be used in conjunction with the course book notes
  • A set of five Word documents containing the five assignments

The requirements are that you successfully complete the five assignments. To complete an assignment you need to show me that you have an understanding of the concepts involved.

Assignments should be prepared on a computer and uploaded to this website. Some of the WORD documents containing the assignment questions will have embedded Excel files in them. If you right-click onto these embedded files, then use WORKSHEET OBJECT and OPEN they will open up as an Excel workbook.

When your assignment is returned to you it may include feedback comments as appropriate. This should be examined carefully, along with your assignment so that you can learn from the comments.

The method you should use is to open up the Powerpoint files and set it to slide show. (SLIDESHOW View from beginning or View from current slide). Then using the Powerpoint slideshow as a prompt work your way through the course book notes for each module. At the end of each module, you should do the corresponding assignment.

Happy studying.  I look forward to receiving your assignments.

David Gardiner Refresher course lecturer

email: dave@gardinergroup.co.nz  

Telephone:  Mobile 021 655 855

Gardiner Consulting Group

175 Bridge Valley Road

RD 1

Wakefield 7095

New Zealand

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