It’s been almost a decade since the turn of the century and for the most part, the way we teach undergraduates essential mathematical, application, and design concepts in engineering modeling have remained unchanged for almost half a century. This engaging seminar makes three bold assertions.
1. Even with a technology strategy, we are currently not getting to the conceptual core of engineering modeling.
2. Industry is undergoing a major transformation and we stand to fall behind in our pedagogy.
3. New software is finally emerging that promises to reconcile theory, with application, and design in industry, research, and ultimately in the classroom
With fresh thinking, new engineering challenges such as interdisciplinary design and optimal design can begin influencing the curriculum in a way that is accessible to most undergrads, is relevant to industry, and does not sacrifice rigor. The software framework to make the case will be MapleSim, a new product from Maplesoft (the symbolic math people) that offers a general modeling environment that combines mathematics, analysis, design, and deployment. It fundamentally differs from the current generation of modeling software in that it offers a richer and more relevant treatment of the underlying mathematics and physics of models. MapleSim and other such “physical” modeling tools have experienced rapid adoption in industry in recent years and institutions are now starting the path to curriculum reform. Although most notable areas have so far been mechatronics, control, and mechanical design, there has generally been broad interest across disciplines.
This seminar will be a compact, engaging introduction to curriculum opportunities with MapleSim and physical modeling in general. Dr. Tom Lee is Vice President of Applications engineering and Chief Evangelist with Maplesoft. He has a background in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in physical systems modeling and control, and computer-assisted engineering education. A long-time member of the ASEE, he is a frequent invited speaker at many international meetings.
