Mathematics Mathematics in Engineering Educationin Engineering Education

N. Grünwald & V. KonevN. Grünwald & V. KonevHochschule Wismar – University of Technology, Business and Hochschule Wismar – University of Technology, Business and

Design, Wismar, GermanyDesign, Wismar, Germany

Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk, RussiaTomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk, Russia

Why Math Education Why Math Education Have to Be ReformedHave to Be Reformed

In view of the modern tendencies of rapid change in In view of the modern tendencies of rapid change in educational activities and level of development of educational activities and level of development of engineering education, international cooperation of engineering education, international cooperation of universities is becoming an insistent need to provide universities is becoming an insistent need to provide students new educational opportunities. students new educational opportunities.

Access to the Internet and computer tools of training Access to the Internet and computer tools of training change the traditional education concept and result in change the traditional education concept and result in an appearance of new forms of education such as an appearance of new forms of education such as distance learning, e.g. distance learning, e.g.

Some Capabilities Some Capabilities of New Informational Technologiesof New Informational TechnologiesMathematics occupies a particular place among all the exact Mathematics occupies a particular place among all the exact sciences. sciences. The language, theoretical methods, and logic of physical and The language, theoretical methods, and logic of physical and engineering sciences are based on mathematics since it engineering sciences are based on mathematics since it concentrates the most important results of exact thinking of concentrates the most important results of exact thinking of scientists and engineers. scientists and engineers. Mathematics possesses fundamental and constantly growing Mathematics possesses fundamental and constantly growing importance for the technical progress. Modern teaching of importance for the technical progress. Modern teaching of mathematics in engineering programmes is unthinkable mathematics in engineering programmes is unthinkable without using scientific computing environments for problem without using scientific computing environments for problem solving and computer tools for training. solving and computer tools for training. Following these modern tendencies of teaching mathematics, Following these modern tendencies of teaching mathematics, computer systems cannot replace basic mathematical computer systems cannot replace basic mathematical knowledge as a tool for engineers to master technological knowledge as a tool for engineers to master technological needs currently and in the future.needs currently and in the future.

Mathematical education of future engineers have to Mathematical education of future engineers have to be modified to include the modern Internet-be modified to include the modern Internet-technologies, math software and other computer aids.technologies, math software and other computer aids.In order to realize this purpose it is necessary:In order to realize this purpose it is necessary:• to select the fundamental component of mathematics, to select the fundamental component of mathematics,

which provides the ability to reason logically and to apply which provides the ability to reason logically and to apply knowledge to special engineering courses;knowledge to special engineering courses;

• to pick out the conceptions of central importance;to pick out the conceptions of central importance;• to analyze the existing educational programs, approaches, to analyze the existing educational programs, approaches,

and methodical materials in view of their correspondence and methodical materials in view of their correspondence to the modern tendencies of engineering education.to the modern tendencies of engineering education.

Possibly, the most instructive proofs could be Possibly, the most instructive proofs could be combined into separate sections as examples of exact combined into separate sections as examples of exact reasoning.reasoning.

By making use of the Internet tools and By making use of the Internet tools and software environment, software environment, all all routineroutine calculating calculating work (in numerical form as well as in work (in numerical form as well as in symbolical one) could be readdressed to symbolical one) could be readdressed to computer programs such as Matlab or Maple, computer programs such as Matlab or Maple, for example. for example.

It is very important to find a balanced It is very important to find a balanced combination of the above components.combination of the above components.

Estimation of KnowledgeEstimation of Knowledge

If a system of estimation of knowledge is based on a list of If a system of estimation of knowledge is based on a list of questions that a student should know to pass a mathematical questions that a student should know to pass a mathematical examination successfully, then the system stimulates examination successfully, then the system stimulates memorizing the answers to the most asked questions.memorizing the answers to the most asked questions.

In order to avoid such “stimulus”, the list of questions should In order to avoid such “stimulus”, the list of questions should be changed by the list of problems. Students should be able to be changed by the list of problems. Students should be able to solve that problems to pass an examination. The number of solve that problems to pass an examination. The number of solving problems determines passing marks.solving problems determines passing marks.

Such system stimulates students to work constructively, to Such system stimulates students to work constructively, to study fundamental mathematical problems, and to apply study fundamental mathematical problems, and to apply Internet-based tools as well as computer software.Internet-based tools as well as computer software.

WebCT: WebCT: The System of Distance LearningThe System of Distance Learning

The system WebCT is intended for The system WebCT is intended for organization of online distance learning.organization of online distance learning.It contains:It contains:- WebCT E-mail tools- WebCT E-mail tools- calendar- calendar- public bulletin board- public bulletin board- WebCT chat- WebCT chat- WebCT White Board- WebCT White Board- other tools- other tools

Calendar is used to inform students about some eventsCalendar is used to inform students about some events

The tutor can easily manage by calendarThe tutor can easily manage by calendar

Chat allows the tutor and students to discuss projects in Chat allows the tutor and students to discuss projects in real timereal time

WebCT White Board is a graphic version of ChatWebCT White Board is a graphic version of Chat

Additional tools:Additional tools:Plan of the CoursePlan of the Course

Additional tools:Additional tools:Instructor InformationInstructor Information

Additional tools:Additional tools:SyllabusSyllabus

Additional tools: GlossaryAdditional tools: GlossaryGlossary allows to get an information about some object Glossary allows to get an information about some object

or the definition of a term.or the definition of a term.