In Engineering Studies, UOC offers Technical Engineering for Information Systems, Technical Engineering for Information Management and Telecommunications. The academic results of the different programmes show that the teaching and learning process is not easy — particularly for mathematics students given that their prior knowledge is often insufficient, they find the content hard to grasp, and their level of motivation is low. We have had to make an effort to mitigate these factors and guarantee that students can eventually reach the level of knowledge required to successfully carry out their professional activities.

One of the main aspects that should be taken into account when designing an engineering course is students' prior level of knowledge. In particular, the syllabuses of all engineering courses, particularly those of telecommunications courses, include many subjects that require an understanding of mathematical concepts and processes. The basic mathematics subjects in these syllabuses cover the fundamentals of linear algebra and differential calculus and provide the tools required to solve simple differential equations. The telecommunications engineering course introduces the basic complex variable tools required to understand and handle the Fourier Transform, Discrete Fourier Transform and z Transform. It also covers the tools required to analyse non-deterministic phenomena: random variables and stochastic processes. IT engineering courses study basic statistical techniques and introduce discrete mathematics as the basis for many of the processes studied, from the analysis of information structures and the efficiency of their use to the construction of circuits.

A basic understanding of mathematics is required to study these subjects, as well as to achieve the objectives in other technical or physical areas, especially during first-year courses. In particular, students should have a basic grasp of the different types of numbers, be able to solve equations and linear equation systems, handle polynomials and have a clear understanding of functions and differential and integral calculus.

Tutorial action

To help students assess their level of knowledge and their awareness of how to apply this knowledge, before they register for a course, we recommend they complete a series of exercises with the help of a brief guide. Specifically, we provide a summary of the concepts and basic processes in each topic. Students can use books and their own notes when taking these tests; the aim is to make them aware of their level of mathematics, so they can decide whether they ought to go over this area again before registering for the mathematics subjects in the course.

We also give them the solutions to the exercises, so they can see if they have managed to solve them correctly and see the procedure for a correct answer. They also receive guidelines for interpreting their results. They should take two key factors into account when assessing their level of knowledge: whether they have mastered the techniques required to solve exercises, and, if not, whether they understand the given solution.

After evaluating their results with the help of a tutor, students can decide whether to register for the subjects in the first semester or whether it would be advisable to revise before doing so. In this case, we recommend they register for the Introduction to Mathematics for Engineers course.