The type of computing environment dawning on the engineering campus is significantly different from that which was available just a few years ago and is radically different from the environment under which traditional mechanical design education developed. %%% The aims of this research are the development of a mathematical model for the mechanical design process and the development of prototype teaching aid for a computer environment. Such a computer aid will provide an interactive, self-paced problem drill environment. In addition, it will provide an electronic workbench for problem solving. The major thrust of the work will be the development of a quantitative theory for the design process that will then allow the exploitation of the full power of a workstation computer environment in mechanical engineering education. A general set of software, hopefully applicable to other disciplines, will be tested through the development of several sets of course materials for mechanical engineering design courses. The study will conclude with an evaluation of the technical and educational merits of such a system.
