Worried over the high failure rate among engineering students in Mathematics, Anna University has decided to conduct a 15- hour bridge course, which will be compulsory for the 1st year students from the coming academic year.
The bridge course will be conducted before the commencement of the regular Engineering Mathematics classes in the first semester of the engineering studies. At the end of the bridge course, colleges will conduct an assessment test, which will be included in the internal assessment of the subject.
In Anna University department, 50 per cent marks are allotted for internal assessment (average of three tests) and another 50 per cent for external assessment. Similarly, in the case of affiliated colleges, 20 per cent marks are allotted for internal assessment (average of three tests) and remaining 80 per cent for external assessment. The bridge course will focus on the essential and fundamental Plus Two level Mathematics necessary for understanding Engineering Mathematics.
“Many students do not take Plus -1 Maths subjects and concentrate on Plus-2 Maths subjects... When they come for higher studies, they cannot follow Engineering Mathematics and fail in the subject. Even IIT failure rate in Mathematics is high. To overcome this, we have decided to introduce the bridge course from the coming academic year,” said P Kaliraj, Vice Chancellor (officiating) of Anna University.
Around 20-25 per cent students in engineering colleges fail in Mathematics, says Chandrasekar, Head, Mathematics Department.
“According to the feedback t from students, many schools do not teach important Mathematical subjects like Differentiation and Integration which was covered in the Plus-1 syllabus. To ensure that students and faculty members take the bridge course seriously, it was included in the internal assessment,” he added.
The varsity is also planning to conduct orientation for the Mathematics faculty members of all engineering colleges in TN between June 3 and 6, through its Centre for Faculty Development. It will be held at three colleges each in Chennai and Coimbatore region and at two colleges each at Tiruchy, Madurai and Tirunelveli region.