Teaching mathematics to engineering students

Abstract

Some new ideas in teaching mathematics to engineering students and the implementation of these ideas into the teaching of mechanical engineering students at Brighton University are discussed. The importance of explaining to the students why knowledge of mathematics is essential for their future practical work is emphasized. Mathematics is a language for expressing physical, chemical and engineering laws and general equations should be illustrated by practical numerical examples in order to transfer the surface/atomistic approach to learning to the deep/holistic one. Necessary steps in the manipulation of algebraic equations should be highlighted. Formal lecturers should be supplemented by compulsory reading, handouts, elements of small group teaching and formative assessment. The analysis of self-assessment forms completed by students show that they learn physical concepts much easier than mathematical concepts.