Teaching mathematics for future engineers: overcoming issues of educational inadequacies

Abstract

Engineering as a profession requires a clear understanding of mathematics. In the field, mathematical and scientific theories and principles are applied to real life situations and used to develop economical solutions to technical problems. Over the past years, Engineering Institutions are facing issues corcerning the process of teaching and learning mathematics. These issues mainly focuses on the inexperience of the educator which includes the lacking knowledge, skills and attitude as well as the development of an appropriate mathematics curriculum for the students whom embark in engineering courses. The first part of the paper is aimed to discuss issues involving best practices for an engineering mathematics educator to enhance their knowledge, skills and attitude with regard to training topics, methods, and resources in the process of teaching and learning mathematics. The second part of the paper is aimed to discuss issues on the suitable mathematical curriculum for engineering undergraduates to ensure that they have sufficiant skills and knowledge for the solution of engineering problems which arises in the 21st century.