The role of math epistemological beliefs in anticipting performance of engineering students

Some believe the mathematics as the highway to engineering; some others believe mathematics as a goalkeeper for entering the talented people to the engineering world. According to researches and observations, math is an important factor in engineer’s dropout. At first step the aim of this research is to find which one of math courses including calculus 1, calculus 2, differential equations and engineering mathematics is the main predictor of academic performance of engineering students. Another aim is to find the role of math epistemological beliefs in beliefs students’ performance at the main course which identify at first phase. Descriptive correlational method is used to achieve research goals. The research statistical population was all senior undergraduate students, of Industrial University of Birjand in the 2015-2016 who educate in the fields of electric, computer, civil and industrial engineering. They were estimated to be 550 students who 225 students were selected among them using cluster sampling method. Regression analysis showed that 32.7 percent of the variance of students’ GPA explained by these math course and calculus 1 is the most important predictor. Regression analysis showed math Epistemological belief explains that 8.1 percent of the variation of student`s score is anticipated by in math 1. Source of knowledge, speed of knowledge acquisition and innate ability are three components which are important for anticipating the success of engineering students in a math 1. These findings are discussed and suggestions is proposed to enhance the quality and success probability of engineering students in calculus.