Assessment and development of core skills in engineering mathematics

Many engineering students enter Dublin Institute of Technology with core mathematical problems. Each year a diagnostic test is given to incoming first year students at both Ordinary and Honours degree levels. This test reveals deficiencies in numerous core areas of mathematics. Many students ignore the help that is available to them and limp through several years of engineering carrying a serious handicap of poor core mathematical skills. Anecdotally, engineering students at all levels can almost complete relatively complex mathematical problems, but end up with the wrong answer by making some very basic errors. The aim of this project is to set up a “module” in core mathematics. The course material is basic but a very high pass mark of 90% is set. Students may repeat this module as often as they like until they achieve a pass mark. An automated examination for this module has been developed on WebCT and a bank of questions has been created. Initially, this project was piloted as part of the third year Ordinary Degree mathematics module in Mechanical Engineering. Results and analysis of the students’ attempts at the examination are presented. Over 90% of students achieved a pass in this module, with some students taking up to six attempts. Their results are compared with their original results from the diagnostic test completed in their first year in 2006. We also present a summary of the resources being made available to the students to help them develop their core skills