Program Leader Responsibilities:
At RMIT the Program Leader (PL) for Science and Engineering Mathematics and Statistics (SEMS), leads the curriculum development of all mathematics and statistics service courses at RMIT. It is a strategic position that encompasses all aspects of SMGS’s provision of service teaching to the other schools and involves active participation in maintaining academic standards and in developing educational policy and curriculum in mathematics.
This role supports home departments in implementing RMIT’s rationalisation, articulation and transition activities as part of their program renewals. It involves working closely with the various discipline leaders in each school and their teaching and learning directors to ensure that SMGS’s courses are appropriate to the renewed requirements. Ensuring that these courses fit sensibly with the other courses offered in each semester is a challenge which has recently been aided by the adoption of problem-based-curricula. Such renewals contribute to the development of both College and University policies and strategies and require a careful preparation of supporting documentation. They demonstrate an ability to foster internal networks to enhance the standing and role of mathematics at RMIT. The three Engineering Schools in the SEH College at RMIT are by far SMGS’s largest clients.
The PL role promotes innovation and excellence in teaching and learning which recently included the introduction of Maple and use of Learning Management Systems (LMS) to support SMGS’s high quality mathematics courses. Student feedback conducted at the end of each teaching period results in extremely positive learning experiences. The SEMS program team have an enviable reputation with regard to the quality and quantity of their offerings.
