An investigation into the performance and problems of first-year engineering students at the University of Cape Town

The first- and second-year results of the 1989 engineering student intake were analysed and revealed that matriculants from Black Education Departments performed significantly worse in the first year than those from White Education Departments. Matric point scores were found to be good predictors for White Education Department matriculants, but less so for Black Education Department matriculants, with matric Physical Science a better predictor than matric Maths, for both first- and second- year courses. Using interviews and a survey of students, a set of academic and non-academic problems experienced by first-year engineering students were identified with black students found to have experienced a particular set of problems to a greater degree than white students. The data produced a portrait of the interaction between first-year engineering students and the academic and social systems of the university. The dominant feature that emerged was one of distance between the individual students and elements of the university environment, including staff, fellow students and the academic material. Factors from the student's personal and educational background that appeared to accentuate this experience of distance were identified. Recommendations to the Engineering Faculty were compiled on the basis of this analysis together with student suggestions for improving the first-year engineering programme.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Year dc:date.issued

1992

Author dc:creator

• Jawitz, Jeff

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Martin, JB
• Cowan, Bill

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/8382

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/8382