Curriculum Redesign to Provide Opportunities for a Diversity of Students

Abstract

The Faculty decision in 2012 to change the prerequisite for the Bachelor of Science at La Trobe University from Mathematical Methods (intermediate) to “any mathematics” (elementary/intermediate), in conjunction with the introduction of a quantitative literacy requirement in first year, has presented both challenges and opportunities for the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. This paper describes the curriculum redesign undertaken to provide pathways to the mathematics or physics major for any student, whilst also satisfying the constraint that there be no proliferation of subjects or duplication of teaching. This careful redesign has also enabled the closure of a somewhat problematic summer bridging course, and permits mid-year transfer to engineering degrees for students whose subject choice at Year 12 would otherwise leave them ill-prepared for such programs.