Work in Progress: A New Role for Math in Engineering Education

The role of the industrial engineer is under dramatic change. Until some decade ago, the engineering education was mainly focusing on computations as a basis for the selection of system components or for determining dimensions of construction elements. Such calculations had to be repeated for every new system design, every new building, bridge, amplifier, engine, transmission, etc. Computations by means of pencil and paper, but with the slide rule replaced by hand calculators. At least in Sweden, we are still organizing math education and training in engineering programs that way. However, today such calculations are, outside the math departments, automated. Design rules and general are built into the computerized design and modeling tools