Integration of Engineering Application Examples in Mathematics Courses

Abstract

Contribution: The article describes an innovative concept to create authentic application examples for mathematics courses in an engineering degree program in order to illustrate the relevance of mathematics for engineering. Background: It can be difficult and time consuming for mathematics instructors to find and understand authentic applications. Larger projects may be difficult to integrate into an existing course outline. Intended Outcomes: With the help of the new concept, examples can be created that are authentic, that can be embedded in an existing course outline, and that are not too time consuming for the instructor to create. Application Design: The new concept combines two approaches: 1) peer teaching and 2) interaction of different disciplines. In close cooperation with a student from a higher semester who has already successfully completed the course, applications from the student’s study or work context are sought and prepared for successful embedding, and integrated into the course. Findings: An accompanying evaluation study shows that the students in the mathematics courses find the examples created motivating and rate them as authentic and application-oriented.