Challenges in offering engineering programs at a new campus

Abstract

Engineering was first offered at the new Springfield campus of the University of Southern Queensland in 2007, with programs at both Associate Degree and Bachelor of Engineering Technology level, with a focus on Civil Engineering and Infrastructure Management. Several of the students come from low socio-economic backgrounds, with a number being the first in their family to study at University. Within this particular cohort there are a large percentage of mature aged students. The teaching of mathematics to these students has been problematic due to the fact that for many their last contact with mathematics was a considerable period of time before they commenced their University study. A number of the students also had a fairly low level of achievement in high school mathematics. In addition, the initial lack of laboratory facilities presented a range of challenges to developing vibrant engineering programs at the Springfield campus. In 2009 these challenges have now either been successfully overcome or are being actively addressed, with the next potential challenge being to further expand the engineering programs at the Campus.