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Michael Carr1, Paul Robinson2, Ciaran O’Sullivan2, Martin Marjoram2, Damian Cox3 and Cormac Breen1.
1Dublin Institute of Technology, 2Institute of Technology Tallaght, 3Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown
For many years now we have known about the significant deficiencies in the basic mathematical skills of many engineering undergraduates. Mathematics diagnostic tests in the UK, Ireland and Portugal have shown these shortcomings.
Many third level institutes throughout Europe have introduced high threshold tests in basic maths in the early years of third level Engineering. In this paper we discuss a joint project between several third level institutions in Dublin and the Further Education sector to introduce a new 1 year Mathematics course aimed at students who have left school without a higher Level mathematics qualification, but who wish to start a STEM discipline at college and at honours degree level. Currently, most colleges in Ireland will only accept a passing grade in Higher level honours mathematics as an entry requirement for a STEM discipline. This 1 year module will focus on mathematics for STEM disciplines in particular and should form a viable alternative to the 2 year Leaving Certificate qualification for acceptance onto a STEM course for non-traditional students.
This paper will focus on an automated testing component of this module which has been designed in collaboration between third level and Further Education colleges. We discuss the particular implications of this work for Engineering Mathematics at third level.