LMATE: An Innovative Bachelor Degree Connecting Mathematics And Industry

The bachelor degree in Mathematics Applied to Technology and Enterprise (LMATE) has an innovative structure, working in partnership with industry, involving a transdisciplinarity curriculum plan, with a solid mathematical base including extensive knowledge in statistics, optimization, modeling and programming (Python, R, etc.), along with training in engineering, physics and management. LMATE presents three differences in relation to other applied mathematics portuguese bachelors degrees: it was constructed upside down towards the usual, once partner entities (enterprises, public entities and research centers) were consulted on relevant mathematical contents to solve their problems, instead of being created exclusively by the academy; in its curricular plan has optional curricular units from several engineering areas; and is the only bachelor degree in applied mathematics that has an internship integrated. As LMATE performance evaluation measures the following can be listed: the number of partner entities has increased to 37 currently; demand has been far greater than the offer of vacancies, reaching around 800%; average entry grades have been increasing (from 12.6 to 15.2); and more than 70 of the 176 students who entered in the six years of LMATE have graduated, having done internships in partner entities. Based on a follow-up study of students who have already finished LMATE to assess the quality of the knowledge acquired and its employability, it is concluded that many of finalists enroll in master's degrees, the majority just after LMATE; others enter the labor market straight away, but all feel that LMATE provided them with adequate preparation.