Are science students ready for university mathematics?

Authors

  • Mary Patricia Coupland University of Technology, Sydney
  • Jason Stanley UTS
  • Layna Groen UTS
  • Stephen Bush UTS
  • Stephanie Beames UTS

Abstract

At UTS students in science courses often struggle with the first year first semester mathematics subject. This year we requested all commencing science students to take a Readiness Survey so that we could advise them of suitable pathways for the maths subjects in their degree. One such pathway includes taking a one-semester subject of introductory calculus before the regular mathematics subject. This paper reports on the practicalities of running such a test before semester starts, and the pathways taken up with varying levels of success by Science students. Insights from a parallel survey and pathway used for some years now with Engineering students in the same institution are offered.

Author Biography

  • Mary Patricia Coupland, University of Technology, Sydney
    Director, Mathematics Study Support Centre, School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney.

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Published

2013-09-23