The Group of Eight’s (Go8) Review of Education in Mathematics, Data Science and Quantitative Disciplines, released today, found that the state of mathematical sciences in Australia has deteriorated to a dangerous level and will require universities to provide additional maths enabling courses and to improve co-operation between education and maths faculties in future.
The Review, chaired by former University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gavin Brown, was commissioned by the Go8 Vice-Chancellors in 2009 because of serious concerns about the number and quality of students entering university courses requiring strong quantitative skills.
The Review highlights some startling statistics.
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From 2001 to 2007 the number of students enrolled in a mathematics major in Australian universities declined by approximately 15%. |
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The number of students taking Advanced Maths at high school also dropped by 27% between 1995 and 2007. |
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Demand for mathematics and statistics graduates is predicted to grow by 3.5% per year till 2013. |
The Review concluded that “universities cannot ignore the downward change in mathematics preparedness affecting entering students. In the short term there appear to be only two conceivable responses: the provision of enabling (i.e. remedial) programs and the lowering of standards.”
Click here to download or view - The Go8’s Review of Education in Mathematics, Data Science and Quantitative Disciplines
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