Presentation and Discussion of the Methodology

1. Methodology for Comparative
Analysis of Math Cources

2. SEFI
• Organized in 1982
• Has a special work group on Math Education
(MWG)
• Every 10 years SEFI MWG produces a report:
“Framework for Mathematics Curricula in
Engineering Education”
• 1992: core topics of math curricula
• 2002: core learning outcomes of teaching math
• 2012: core math competencies

3. University and Discipline settings
• Short university profile:
– Classic or Technical
– number of students
– number of engineering disciplines
– number of engineering students,…
• Selected discipline/major profile: …
• Which part of the entire study program does
Math have?
• Usage of Mathematical software (Matlab /
Mathematica / …)

4. Course settings
• Type (bachelor/master) and year (1/2/…), selective or
mandatory
• Prerequisite and Outcome Courses
• Who is teaching / which department (math or smth.
else)
• Name of the course / focus of the course
(Theoretical/Applied)
• ECTS (credits)
• How the activity in the course is divided/ordered in
terms of lectures/labs/homework/internships
• Competencies: prerequisite / target
(take into account PISA / SEFI (http://www.sefi.be/) /
Math-Bridge ontology / http://www.cdefi.fr)

5. Teaching aspects
• Content
• Pedagogy
• Assessment

6. Use of ICT/TEL
• Which tools
• Which activities
• Mandatory / extra credit / fully optional
• e-Learning / Blended learning / traditional / …

7. Course statistics
• Students (in/out)
• Grades distribution
• International students
• Student demographics
(gender, age, nationality, % of scholarships, ...)

8. Resources
• Teaching hours
• Preparatory hours
• Teaching assistants (for grading /…)
• Computer labs
• How large are the classes
• Number of person hours per student invested
• Usage of Mathematical software (Matlab /
Mathematica / …)