REMIT: Mathematics in the University Education of Engineers

Last year, the Ove Arup Foundation commissioned myself and my colleague, Professor Richard Noss, to undertake a small research project to survey the current roles of mathematics in undergraduate engineering education in the UK, with a particular focus on civil engineering, and to identify some visions of future directions for the teaching of mathematics. The research took place from May to December 2002, using a methodology of interviews and visits with universities, professional institutions and civil engineering companies, supported by a literature review and a questionnaire survey of university civil engineering departments. The final report on the research has just been published…