DIAGNOSTIC TOOL AND ONLINE RESOURCE PROVIDING MATHEMATICS SUPPORT FOR NON-SPECIALISTS

We report on the development of a diagnostic tool to provide support for non-mathematics students. This tool has been designed to aid the transition onto university courses where mathematics is required during the course, but is not a pre-requisite. Our experiences in running espressoMaths (the university-wide mathematics support drop by station), in addition to discussions with academics from different faculties, highlighted the need for mathematics support at the University of the West of England (UWE, Bristol) across a broad range of abilities and applications. Students get very stressed and frustrated by their mathematical limitations affecting their studies. Our aim, in developing the diagnostic tool, is to better prepare such students for their studies so that they feel more supported in their transition to University and start at UWE with a stronger mathematical base.