Essential Skills & Master Classes

Delivered live via Microsoft Teams, this series of interactive one-hour workshops is designed to boost your confidence in applying Python to mathematical problem-solving. Whether you are revising core skills or exploring advanced applications, each session combines theory with hands-on coding examples.

These workshops will aim to cover the following areas:

Session 1: Essential Skills 1A – Arithmetic & Number Operations

Date: Monday, 27 October 2025 (12:00 – 13:00)

• Basic arithmetic in Python

• Square roots, rounding, floor & ceiling functions

• Percentage growth & change

• Prime checks, even/odd checks, GCD & LCM utilities

Session 2: Essential Skills 2A – Algebra with Python

Date: Monday, 03 November 2025 (12:00 – 13:00)

• Evaluating algebraic expressions

• Expanding and factoring

• Solving linear & quadratic equations

• Systems of equations with two variables

Session 3: Essential Skills 1B – Probability & Statistics

Date: Monday, 10 November 2025 (12:00 – 13:00)

• Summary statistics with Python

• Combinations, permutations, binomial and Poisson probability

• Applications of the normal distribution

• Confidence intervals for population means

Session 4: Essential Skills 2B – Graph Sketching with Matplotlib

Date: Monday, 17 November 2025 (12:00 – 13:00)

• Line, quadratic, cubic and reciprocal plots

• Histograms and scatter plots

• Adding regression lines and annotations

• Using NumPy for smooth plotting

Session 5: Master Class 1C – Linear Algebra & Vectors

Date: Monday, 24 November 2025 (12:00 – 13:00)

• Vector operations and dot products

• Matrix-vector and matrix-matrix multiplication

• Determinants, inverses, and transformations

• Scaling and translating points

Session 6: Master Class 2C – Simulations & Optimization

Date: Monday, 01 December 2025 (12:00 – 13:00)

• Monte Carlo simulations (dice, coins, π approximation)

• Bootstrap sampling

• Gradient descent optimization

• Random walk simulations

Why join?

• Practical & interactive – live coding demonstrations in Python.

• All materials provided – full notes, worked examples, and annotated slides.

• Tailored support – book a 1-to-1 follow-up for your personal coding questions.

When & where

• Dates: Mondays, 27 Oct – 1 Dec 2025

• Time: 12:00 – 13:00 (BST)

• Platform: Microsoft Teams (link sent on registration)

This is a single sign up workshop and this series runs across six weeks. You can attend a single workshop or follow the full progression from essential skills to advanced techniques.

Who should attend?

Ideal for students studying Engineering Mathematics, Computing, Data Science, Statistics, Research Methods and related modules—or anyone wishing to strengthen their Python-based mathematical skills.

Reserve your place
Seats are limited. Secure yours via the booking link below.
For questions, email mathsskills@bournemouth.ac.uk.

Looking forward to exploring Python maths with you!

Serkan Karakus
Senior Maths Tutor, Bournemouth University

Registration is required. Limited seats available.

To claim this activity towards your Graduate Skills+ Award, please sign up to the programme here: Graduate Skills+ Award Registration Form (bournemouth.ac.uk)