Students' mathematical preparation Part A: Lecturers' perceptions

This paper analyses first year lecturers’ perceptions of mathematics topics and skills needed in the respective courses that they teach and their perceptions of students’ preparedness for these topics. Surveys and interviews with lecturers were conducted at a regional university in Australia and showed many lecturers regarded that little mathematics was needed in their courses and that mathematics was compartmentalised into specific courses. However, when mathematics was evidenced, lecturers often perceived their students having poor skills and some have adjusted their courses accordingly.