The Role of Mathematics In Engineering Practice and in the Formation of Engineers

I n Ireland, the number of school leavers pursuing professional engineering careers has been declining almost continuously over twenty years. Students wishing to pursue professional engineering degree courses are required to demonstrate proficiency in secondary school mathematics at the higher level. Yet, only a 16% minority of secondary school mathematics students in Ireland takes the Leaving Certificate mathematics exam at the higher level. It is widely thought that mathematics is the “key academic hurdle” in producing a supply of engineering graduates