Obstacles detected in the mathematical training of engineers. A literature review

The purpose of this paper was to know, identify and synthesize some studies carried out on the obstacles and difficulties that can arise in the teaching or in the learning of mathematics for the training of engineers. The study was descriptive. 63 documents published between 1981 and 2017 were analyzed. The results of this review show a focus in the research of the epistemological, cognitive and didactic obstacles. The results inform also an interest in identifying the source of the obstacles, for example, students, teachers, institutions or in the culture. In particular, this study shows some obstacles and difficulties in mathematical modeling; some them are based on aspects related to the articulation of mathematics with other disciplines, mathematization and the use of mathematical language in engineering problem-solving. Some implications for institutions and teachers emerge from the review.