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A modelling approach to traditional applied mathematics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 September 2016

R. A. d’Inverno
Affiliation:
Department of Mathematics, The University, Southampton SO9 5NH
R. R. McLone
Affiliation:
Department of Mathematics, The University, Southampton SO9 5NH

Extract

There seems little doubt that the proportion of the mathematics sixth form who include traditional applied mathematics as part of their studies is steadily decreasing, and that this decline in its turn affects both the popularity of, and the ability of students to cope with, applied mathematics in universities. It is evident that fewer sixth formers are taking the ‘double mathematics plus physics’ route to reading mathematics at degree level; the combinations taking its place are many and varied, but often include statistics, for example, instead of applied mathematics, and economics or geography or a language instead of physics. Even where some students take so-called double mathematics, the syllabus followed often gives statistics as an alternative to applied mathematics, and an increasing number of schools are teaching this option.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Mathematical Association 1977

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References

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