What are the views of mathematics students?
Students generally feel that their mathematics course lacks both volume and quality. Many express frustration at the lack of depth in learning materials and inadequate support for understanding complex concepts. Lecturers are often praised for their hard work and dedication, but some students find them unhelpful or unapproachable.
The coursework and assignment workload is perceived as heavy, with too many assignments being given in a brief period, leading to undue stress. The assessment methods used in the course are also a cause for concern, with many students feeling that exams do not accurately reflect their abilities, particularly those who excel in coursework but struggle with exams.
Group work is another area of contention, with some students finding it difficult to collaborate with peers and feeling that workload is often unevenly distributed. Despite this, some students appreciate the opportunity to develop teamwork skills.
The provision of study spaces and learning resources is generally considered good. However, some students find the course's IT systems and online platforms to be cumbersome or unhelpful at times. The lack of transparency around exam results release dates also causes anxiety among some students.
Some students feel that their lecturers are not adequately supported or resourced, leading to high workloads and stress, affecting the quality of teaching and support they receive. Additionally, there is a perception that those in senior positions within the institution are overpaid and under-accountable.
Despite these concerns, some students praise individual lecturers for their expertise, communication skills, and dedication to student success. However, overall, many students feel that their mathematics course has been a negative experience, with some even expressing regret at choosing the subject or feeling undervalued by the institution.