Computer workstations perform calculations and display graphics fast enough to make real qualitative improvements in teaching engineering. This project is using 18 SUN SPARC 20 Model 61 Workstations to bring computer-aided design and scientific simulation into our core courses. Freshmen and sophomores in all six engineering programs take a common core, lasting through part of the third year, that gives a broad background in physics and engineering science. The new machines make possible three things: first, students will have four years' exposure to a uniform set of UNIX tools, allowing expertise to develop; second, computer-aided design will begin in the earliest courses as a better basis for later study; finally, engineers will develop improved insight into the engineering sciences by simulation of fundamental exemplary problems. Traditionally, simple examples that can be solved by hand are the main tool for teaching introductory science. Many suitable problems that could extend one's physical intuition are neglected because they are hard to compute or draw, a difficulty that workstations can overcome. For example, one such problem in electricity and magnetism is the electrostatic focusing of a beam of electrons in a CRT. The actual lens is just three concentric tubes set end to end at different potentials. Its analysis shows potential theory, electric field visualization, and particle dynamics in an economically important context. This project is developing software with simple interfaces for a suite of such examples as a new teaching tool.
