Students' mathematical preparation Part B: students' perceptions

There is a growing concern worldwide over the decrease in the number of mathematics and science graduates. Associated with this are factors such as the mathematical underpreparedness of students entering the university system, and a lack of emphasis on the importance of mathematics for post-secondary studies. This paper analyses students' perceived preparation in mathematics encountered in their first semester of undergraduate study at the University of Southern Queensland. The excerpts are drawn from surveys and interviews of students enrolled in first year courses that have mathematical content. The survey showed that there was a broad response of being 'well prepared' for mathematics across first year courses. Interviews generally confirmed the responses to the survey in terms of students' confidence in their mathematical preparation. However a significant number of students in the science based degrees acknowledged that they were inadequately prepared.

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