|
Mathematics for Engineering: An ASL Qualification for The Advanced Diploma in Engineering
Introduction
Mathematics is an integral part of the study of engineering
regardless of which branch of engineering is chosen. Many in the engineering
community believe that additional mathematics material should be available
for those students studying the Advanced Diploma in Engineering to prepare
them for progression onto engineering degree courses at university. Many
also appreciate that teachers in schools and colleges need more real engineering
examples to underpin the essential mathematics and also to excite interest in
engineering. In response to these challenges, the engineering and maths communities
joined together in May 2007 to form a Maths Task Group.
Maths Task Group
The group contains
representatives from well established organisation
like
The Task Group has also
benefited from the input of observers from
This group has developed an Additional and Specialist
Learning (ASL) Mathematics qualification that will be available for any Level 3
learner wishing to develop his or her mathematical skills and knowledge
in a real life context, especially in engineering. A consensus is emerging
that students thinking of studying engineering at university should
take this qualification as an ASL Qualification along with the Advanced Diploma
in Engineering at Level 3. However, learners enrolled on other diplomas
might also choose to study this qualification.
Mathematics for Engineering
The ASL qualification is based on a foundation
year course taught at Loughborough University over many years. This course
is designed for students without A level Mathematics who wish to go on to
study engineering to degree level. It has been designed to contain all
the necessary topics from A level Mathematics to facilitate such study.
The unit is designed for 90 guided learning hours calculated as actual
class contact hours, lectures or tutorials etc. Very good results have
been achieved by students following this course in their subsequent engineering
studies at Loughborough.
Clearly, this ASL qualification would provide an appropriately
rigorous maths programme within the Engineering Diploma, tailored to the
needs of engineering students. To provide powerful motivation to students,
teachers/lecturers will be expected to highlight engineering applications of
the mathematics in the course. Support will be available to the
teachers to teach this qualification. Engineering Mathematics Exemplars are currently
under development and will be uploaded on this website as they are completed.
We are confident, based on the Loughborough experience,
that success in this demanding programme can prepare students on the Engineering
Diploma for subsequent university studies in Engineering, and possibly other
science or technology subjects as well.
For more information, please
see the following document:
This qualification is now
available in the National Database Accredited
Qualification catalogue and the details can be seen
on the following link:
http://www.accreditedqualifications.org.uk/qualification/50041368.seo.aspx
This qualification is now
being offered by OCR and all the necessary details
with full specification and Sample Assessment
Material is available on the following link:
http://www.accreditedqualifications.org.uk
Engineering Mathematics Exemplars
The exemplars are intended to:
-
motivate mathematics
teaching and learning
-
provide support for
teachers teaching contextualised mathematics for
the first time
-
help students gain fluency
in the use of mathematics for practical problem
solving
-
illustrate the
applicability of the mathematics in the ASL unit
-
exemplify valuable
activities undertaken by engineers
Proposed Distribution of 50 exemplars over different engineering streams
 |
Engineering Stream |
|
% & No. of Exemplars |
|
Examples |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mechanical |
|
20%
10 |
|
Design, analysis and manufacture of
motor vehicles, aircraft, heating & cooling systems, watercraft, manufacturing plants,
industrial equipment and machinery, medical devices, Wind Turbines, Gas Holders,
machine tools, precision tools, engines, etc. |
|
|
|
|
Civil |
|
20%
10 |
|
Structural Engineering, Geotechnical
Engineering, Water Engineering, Transportation,
Highways, Construction, Engineering Surveying,
Material Technology
|
|
|
|
|
Electrical/Electronics |
|
20%
10 |
|
Design and construction of electronic circuits
to solve practical problems
Circuit Theory, Electronic Components (Resistors, Capacitors, Inductors, Diodes,
Transistors), Power Transmission, Motor Control, Domestic Appliances,
Telecommunications (Mobile phones, Landline, Internet), Computers and
integrated circuits, Battery Charger, Television, Radar and radio location
|
|
|
|
|
Chemical & Process Industries |
|
20%
10 |
|
Petroleum extraction, treatment, pipeline
transport and refining, petrochemical, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, pulp and
paper manufacturing, mining, food, beverages, ceramics, base metals, coal, plastics, rubber,
textiles, tobacco, wood and wood products, paper and paper products, etc.
|
|
|
|
|
Automotive & Aerospace |
|
10%
5 |
|
Design, construction and science behind Cars, Trucks,
Buses, Motorcycles, Trains, Aircrafts, Spacecrafts, Rockets, etc.
|
|
|
|
|
Health and Well Being |
|
10%
5 |
|
Recycling, Environmental Safety Issues, Water Purification,
etc.
|
All the completed exemplars
are under modification and will be available soon.
Please keep visiting and thank you for your
patience!
For any further queries, please contact:
Dr Sapna Somani
Maths Coordinator
14-19: Diploma in Engineering
The Royal Academy of Engineering
3 Carlton House Terrace
London
SW1Y 5DG
Direct Tel.: 020 7766 0639
Mobile: 07878 633 730
Email: Sapna Somani
Other Teaching Resources
A summary of useful websites for teachers:
|
|
Skip to page footer
|
