Random and targeted course deletions in a curriculum network

Abstract

Prerequisite courses are crucial in programs of study (PoS) since they prepare students for more advanced topics in the course. However, scholars suggest that some prerequisites may prove to be unnecessary and even detrimental to the students' performance. Hence, a careful investigation of the implementation of prerequisites must be undertaken to enforce a more effective PoS. This paper deals with the issue on prerequisites using a network approach. We show how a curriculum network evolves when certain concepts (prerequisites) are deleted. The effects of concept deletions from a merged physics and mathematics curriculum on learning are determined through simulations using four different types of node deletions (Random, Random-Random, Weak and Strong Targeted). The different deletion procedures show varying connectivity trends. The curriculum network constructed has a scale-free distribution with a power-law exponent of 1.79. Results show that the network is robust to random deletions but vulnerable to targeted attacks, which is typical of scale-free networks and reminiscent of the dynamics found in the spread of epidemics.