Centre for Science and Mathematics
The Centre for Science and Mathematics (CSM) aims to provide all students at Republic Polytechnic with a firm foundation in the basics of scientific knowledge and mathematical reasoning ability. These abilities are not only fundamental to all disciplines offered at RP, but are also an essential part of a well-rounded education.
CSM works to provide a conducive and stimulating hands-on learning environment for students to explore, apply and understand the relevant concepts.
The first-year curriculum for all RP students includes a semester of five common modules of which two are offered by CSM:
In the second semester, the year one students will take five diploma-specified modules. The year one modules which are offered by CSM in the second semester are:
- Mathematics II
- Chemistry
- Physics
CSM provides two higher-year modules in mathematics which build on the logical and mathematical reasoning skills that students gained from Mathematics & Mathematics II in their first-year curriculum. CSM also provides a higher-year module, Applied Physics, to students with the aim of equipping them with a set of skills in the application of scientific principles to practical devices and systems. These modules also serve to provide students with a stronger foundation for further studies:
- Advanced Mathematics I – Differential Equations
- Advanced Mathematics II – Linear Algebra
- Applied Physics
A101 Science
This foundation module is designed to develop scientific thinking and reasoning skills through an appreciation of some ideas that underpin much of what we know today about our natural world. The aim is to equip students with the ability to apply scientific principles of thinking and reasoning to almost any field of inquiry. Students will learn about key concepts and applications in a range of topics from energy to electricity, from atomic structure to bonding in compounds, from cells to genetic inheritance of organisms, and from Newtonian mechanics to special relativity.
A113 Mathematics
This foundation module focuses on the essentials of mathematics that would be useful and relevant for a wide range of applications. Emphasis will be placed on the understanding of key concepts, skills in solving problems, and on the use of the spreadsheet as a tool. Students will learn about key concepts and applications in basic algebra, calculus, probability and statistics.
A114 Mathematics II
This module is designed to equip students with the mathematical skills required to solve a range of common real-world problems. Building on the skills developed in the A113 Mathematics, this module allows students to apply mathematics to real life situations by modelling them appropriately as mathematical problems. Analytical and problem solving skills will be developed. Students will also be introduced to the mathematical symbols and notation that are commonly used. The main topics addressed include linear algebra, calculus and hypothesis testing.
A201 Chemistry
This module serves to enable students to have a good understanding of chemical principles that apply to fields such as biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology, pharmacology, material science and environmental science. Throughout the course, students will appreciate how the submicroscopic properties of atoms and molecules affect the macroscopic properties of matter, understand the chemical nature of biology and understand the basis and relevance of chemical calculations needed for problem-solving in areas such as biotechnology, environmental science, material science and the pharmaceutical industry.
A207 Physics
Building on the students’ knowledge of basic Physics principles acquired from A101 Science, this module is designed to further develop students’ understanding of Physics principles and to provide students with a foundation in Physics for further study in engineering, applied science and other related fields. In this module, students will learn about forces and their application to biomechanics, simple harmonic motion, heat and conduction, ideal gas equation and adiabatic expansion, thermodynamics (including the first and second law), hydrostatics, fluid flow with and without losses, optics and diffraction, the wave-particle nature of light, principles of ultrasound and MRI.
A211 Advanced Mathematics I – Differential Equations
This module is designed to equip students with the mathematical skills required to solve a range of common real-world problems. Building on the skills developed in the first-year modules A113 and A114, this module allows students to apply mathematics to real life situations by modelling them appropriately as mathematical problems. Analytical and problem solving skills will be developed. Students will also be introduced to the mathematical symbols and notation that are commonly used. The main topics covered include the basics of differentiation, integration, differential equations, numerical methods, complex numbers and polar co-ordinates.
A212 Advanced Mathematics II – Linear Algebra
This module is designed to equip students with the mathematical skills required to solve a range of common real-world problems. Building on the skills developed in the first-year modules A113 and A114, this module allows students to apply mathematics to real life situations by modelling them appropriately as mathematical problems. Analytical and problem solving skills will be developed. Students will also be introduced to the mathematical symbols and notation that are commonly used. The main topics covered include the basics of systems of linear equations, matrices, vector spaces, vectors, and linear transformations.
A203 Applied Physics
This module covers fundamental principles in Physics to address issues of technological importance in science and engineering, in particular, the applications of scientific principles to practical devices and systems. The module aims to equip students with a set of analytical tools that may be used to forge the link between the structure and properties of materials in order to yield, at the emerging technology level, enhanced material performance. Students will learn about key concepts and applications in a range of topics which include an introduction to electrical, magnetic, optical, acoustic, mechanical properties of materials and nuclear physics.
CSM’s modules, like all modules at Republic Polytechnic, are based on the belief that we ‘learn by engagement with an activity’. Our approach to learning is markedly different from the more common scheme consisting of lectures, tutorials, homework and examinations. At RP, classes of no more than 25 students collaborate in teams using information technology to solve ‘real life’ problems. This One-Day, One-Problem™ setting allows students an extended period of time to work in depth on the issue at hand.
The focus is on students’ understanding and their ability to reason. Facilitators engage students throughout the day by questioning, assessing and challenging students’ thinking. Students are encouraged to approach the problem with whatever prior knowledge they have, and make progress through discussion and mutual learning within the team. In this way they are able to integrate knowledge in a personal way and to discern the context and relevance of what they learn.
Critical thinking is central to the student’s learning in science and mathematics. The emphasis is not merely on arriving at the ‘correct’ answers, but rather on a deeper understanding of the concepts involved. Students are encouraged to explore and investigate ideas by undertaking a variety of tasks, and present their findings and conclusions to the class.
Our academic staff are passionate about science and mathematics, and seek to share that passion with our students. Every member undergoes specific training programmes to develop and hone their skills in various aspects of education. Staff attend seminars and workshops to foster a spirit of vibrancy and to stimulate a fruitful exchange of ideas.
CSM is prepared to work with secondary schools in various programmes for mutual benefit. While RP’s main focus is on post-secondary education, there are opportunities for joint projects which will allow ideas to be exchanged and developed. To this end, CSM is embarking on a number of special educational projects with selected secondary schools that embrace similar objectives. These are aimed at exposing students to RP’s style of education and at sharing our experiences with secondary schools.
CSM seeks to participate in research activities on science and mathematics education, including collaborative projects with like-minded organisations. The unique learning environment and educational approach provided by RP allows it to develop and implement a wide range of pedagogical methods based on a constructivist philosophy, and to continually improve them for the benefit of the students. CSM takes seriously its responsibility to the academic community to undertake appropriate research activities and to participate in relevant forums for fruitful academic discourse.
“To prepare today’s students for the future, it is no longer sufficient to train them to pass exams. Students must develop logical reasoning skills and the ability to figure out for themselves how things work. Topics in science and mathematics provide a natural and wonderful way to equip students with the necessary skills in critical thinking and understanding.”
– Dr Albert Miao, Director, Centre for Science and Mathematics.
Director:
Dr Albert Miao
Staff Strength:
Read our staff profiles here
Modules Offered:
A101 Science
A113 Mathematics
A114 Mathematics II
A201 Chemistry
A207 Physics
A211 Advanced Mathematics I - Differential Equations
A212 Advanced Mathematics II - Linear Algebra
A203 Applied Physics
Enquires:
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