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Abdullah, A-N M (2019) Assessing economic, social, political and environmental issues related to mega-projects : A case study of Merowe Dam in Sudan, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Plymouth.

Adeyinka Shittu, T (2012) Development of a framework for sustainable repair of adobe building in an urban area in Nigeria, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Plymouth.

Alharbi, S (2020) The influence of human resources management on job embeddedness and voluntary turnover intention: a case study of the constructions industry in Saudi Arabia, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Plymouth Business School, University of Plymouth.

Almami, A (2014) Investigating the antecedents and consequences of Saudization in the construction sector, Unpublished PhD Thesis, Plymouth Business School, University of Plymouth.

Alsofyani, S (2021) An analysis of how culture influences the arbitration process used to resolve disputes on construction projects in Saudi Arabia, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Plymouth.

Dangana, S (2015) A decision support framework for selecting innovative sustainable technologies for delivering low carbon retail buildings, Unpublished PhD Thesis, School of Architecture, Design and Environment, University of Plymouth.

Garmston, H M (2017) Decision-making in the selection of retrofit facades for non-domestic buildings, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Plymouth.

Heffernan, E E (2015) Delivering zero carbon homes and sustainable communities: The potential of group self-build housing in England, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Plymouth.

Latorre, V (2009) Construction manager's influence on project success, Unpublished PhD Thesis, School of Architecture, Design and Environment, University of Plymouth.

Mathews, J D (2000) Optimisation and decision support during the conceptual stage of building design: New techniques based on the genetic algorithm, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Plymouth.

Maull, W M (1998) An investigation into the development of engineering students' conceptual understanding of mathematics, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Plymouth.

  • Type: Thesis
  • Keywords: skills; beams; teaching; mathematics; mathematical modelling
  • ISBN/ISSN:
  • URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10026.1/1066
  • Abstract:
    Following widespread concern over an apparent decline in the mathematical skills of engineering students, this study employed survey and observation methods to investigate the ways in which engineering students understand mathematical concepts, and to compare these with the concepts held-by students of mathematics. It was found that the engineering students employ a different vocabulary from mathematics students in discussing mathematics, and that their understanding of mathematical concepts develops differently from mathematics students both in response to teaching (which appears to be a transitory effect) and as their experience gives meaning to the ideas in life outside study. These findings are important in two ways. We need to make the mathematics teachers of engineering students aware of the language and concepts of their students so that the possibility of mutual misunderstanding is reduced, and we as educators need to help engineering students to make these connections in order to ground their mathematics in reality and to use mathematics an Instrument for understanding the world. Compared with the classical mathematical modelling paradigm and the classical empirical modelling paradigm, the method used by engineering students was found to be a hybrid based on the Identification of the type of problem and the application of a "preexisting law. Some misconceptions concerning the behaviour of beams In bending were found to be widely held, by respondents with a range of levels of experience. Whereas the particular misconceptions are not Important in themselves. It Is salutary to realise that expertise in one area of study does not necessarily Inoculate one against misconceptions In a closely related area. A software package was written using the context of mathematical modelling to help students relate concepts In calculus to physical situations. This package was found not to engage the students sufficiently to provoke cognitive change, and suggests that a higher degree of Interactivity Is needed.

Sherif, K F (2010) Total quality management and construction project management in Libya, Unpublished PhD Thesis, School of Engineering, University of Plymouth.

Soliman, E M (2005) Delay hierarchy propagation model, Unpublished PhD Thesis, School of Engineering, University of Plymouth.

Ulrich de Alencastro, J P (2019) The impact of quality management on the thermal performance of social housing in the United Kingdom, Unpublished PhD Thesis, School of Art, Design and Architecture, University of Plymouth.