Deficiências em matemática entre os alunos ingressantes no curso de Licenciatura em Física da UFAL: uma proposta para amenizá-las

Abstract

The importance of mathematics in the current development of our society is practically undeniable. Particularly for students opting for courses in the Sciences, such as Physics, it plays a central role. Additionally, the dropout and failure rates in Physics courses across Brazil are quite significant. Faced with this issue, we decided in this study to survey the performance of students entering the Physics Education course at UFAL in the disciplines of Analytical Geometry, Elements of Physics, Calculus 1, and Physics 1, from the academic semesters of 2020-1 to 2022-1. We also investigated dropout rates during this period. Subsequently, we developed a leveling project to address the basic mathematics deficiencies of students who enrolled in the course in the academic semester of 2023.1. We investigated the students' performance in some basic mathematics questions before and after the leveling. One of the findings was that the leveling had a significant impact on students' performance in questions involving basic mathematical concepts such as exponentiation, fractions, functions, trigonometry, inequalities, first and second-degree equations, factorial numbers, among others. Although we did not have sufficient time to assess the impact of leveling on students' performance in course subjects, as well as whether leveling will help reduce their dropout rates, the results obtained in the leveling suggest that perhaps this is indeed a suitable proposal to address the deficiencies in basic mathematics of students entering Science courses, particularly in the Physics course.