Skip to Content

Home > School of Environment, Science and Engineering > Course options > Courses > Math refresher for engineering

Math Intensive Refresher Program (MIRP)

Commences January 7 to February 12, 2013

This program is intended for Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Civil Engineering prospective students.

Most engineers actually spend a very small portion of their time carrying out mathematical calculation. Yet mathematics is indispensable to engineering. Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, differential equations, trigonometry, vectors, complex analysis, probability and statistics are all important tools for civil engineers.

Civil engineers use these, and many other forms of math, to help them:

  • understand the chemistry and physics fundamental to the construction of civil engineering projects;
  • carry out the technical calculations necessary to plan a construction project;
  • with modelling and simulations to predict the behaviour of structures before they are actually built; and
  • with business decisions and other "non-technical" aspects of their jobs.

Before you commence your first engineering tutorial, you are expected to have a good understanding of mathematical principals from your previous high school or vocational education studies.

At Southern Cross University it is assumed that engineering applicants have achieved sound results in the Queensland subject Mathematics B and one science subject, or the New South Wales subjects Mathematics and one science subject.

If it has been four or more years since you have completed these studies, or if you would simply like to refresh your mathematical understanding prior to commencing our civil engineering degree in Session 1 2013, you should participate in the FREE SCU Math Intensive Refresher Program (MIRP) for engineering.

Topics will include:

  • Algebra;
  • Functions - basic ideas behind calculus;
  • Trigonometry and its applications – both "right triangle" and circular, with graphs;
  • Logarithms and exponentials; and
  • Introduction to Matrices.

As well as refreshing your math knowledge and skills, the MIRP will help you with:

  • navigating SCU student academic systems;
  • borrowing from the SCU Library;
  • knowing more about the University's Academic Skills Development service; and
  • information about the range of other student facilities and services available.

There are no exams; self-assessment will be encouraged.

You will need to have good access to the internet and a scientific non-programable calculator.

Access to learning and study resources and essential Book of Readings will be provided. On campus, you will have access to the SCU wireless network via your laptop, and you may borrow from the SCU Library and use the campus Library facilities.

Throughout your first session of study in the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Civil Engineering, you may maintain communication with the MIRP lecturer for occasional support and topic refreshment. Thereafter, you can access academic support from the University's Academic Skills Development service or from your Unit Assessors.

Math Intensive Refresher Program dates

For students commencing the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Civil Engineering in Session 1, 2013, the refresher program will be held:

Monday, January 7 to Tuesday, February 12, 2013 (5 weeks and two days).

SCU Orientation begins the following day on February 13, and Session 1 study commences February 18.

The refresher program will be delivered via mixed mode, initially by distance education (online) using a virtual classroom. Face-to-face (on-campus) tutorials will be made available, subject to demand.

Download the class timetable MIRP Timetable 2013 PDF

Still not sure if you should participate?

We recommend you complete the Engineering Mathematics Readiness Indicator. Your responses will provide an indication of your current mathematical knowledge and skills, and on completion you will be guided as to whether you should participate in the Math Intensive Refresher Program (MIRP) prior to commencing our civil engineering degree in Session 1, 2013.

To ensure that the scientific math symbols within the readiness indicator appear as they should, click here to download or update your existing Java software.

Download instructions on how to self-enrol and access the Engineering Mathematics Readiness Indicator PDF

To self-enrol and access the Engineering Mathematics Readiness Indicator click here

Register to participate

Please don't wait to receive an offer to study the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Civil Engineering. If there is any chance that you might study civil engineering with SCU, you should self-enrol to access the FREE SCU Math Intensive Refresher Program now.

If you have not already done so, please click here to download or update your existing Java software.

Download instructions on how to self-enrol and access the SCU Math Intensive Refresher Program (MIRP) PDF

To self-enrol and access the FREE SCU Math Intensive Refresher Program (MIRP) click here

Further information

Queries about the Math Intensive Refresher Program (MIRP) or the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Civil Engineering, please contact:

E: ese@scu.edu.au
Ph: +61 2 6620 3650

Updated: 24 April 2013