On the performance of first year engineering students in mathematics: A case study of University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), Tarkwa

Abstract

Engineering as a profession, requires a clear understanding of mathematics. It is therefore vital that engineering students acquire both abstract and an empirical understanding of Mathematics. This paper examines and analysis the level of mathematical knowledge of first year engineering students in UMaT. The data on scores of students in the courses „Linear Algebra and Trigonometry‟ and „Calculus‟ were analyzed from six departments: Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department, Mechanical Engineering Department, Geomatics Engineering Department, Geological Engineering Department, Mining Engineering Department and Mineral Engineering Department. The findings from the study revealed that majority of the students performed well. Approximately 7% (i.e. 6.93) of the students failed the course Linear Algebra and Trigonometry while 11.26% failed Calculus. Amongst the departments, students in the Mining Engineering Department performed best in the course Linear Algebra and Trigonometry while, for the course Calculus, the students of the Mechanical Engineering Department performed best over the periods of study. The students under UMaT performed well by the help of the marks adjusting model. Furthermore, the grades obtained by the students depicts that the students in the academic years 2000-2004 performed better than the students in the academic years 2005-2008