"The Integration of Technology, Writing and Mathematics into an Introductory Matlab Course for Engineering Students"

In this paper we will present material used in the Vaughn College Introduction to Matlab course.CSC 215 is offered to engineering students that have had a course in calculus and writing.The objective of the first half of the course is to teach students basic programming.What is unique is that the programming techniques are motivated by problems seen in the traditional calculus course, such as Newton's root finding method, numerical integration and differentiation.The second half of the course is the study of the numerical solution of differential equations.We first look at the physical model, then make the appropriate numerical scheme.Next an error analysis is done, code is written, and solutions are studied.Finally, we look at differences between linear and non linear equations and the onset of chaos.Students are expected to write a final report interpreting their results, combining the techniques they have learned and give group presentations.Open ended research questions appropriate for undergraduates will also be discussed.