Work in progress - novelty in a numerical methods course

This paper discusses the development, implementation and preliminary assessment of a new course that integrates an Introduction to Programming course with a Numerical Methods course using discipline specific examples. In the drive to decrease the time to degrees in engineering programs across the country, many are seeking ways to combine subject material in course without losing the resulting technical abilities of the students. This paper describes one such effort regarding a new course Computational Techniques in Mechanical Engineering at Bradley University. The paper examines the course content and specific methods to combine the two subject areas. The location of the course in an engineering curriculum is considered. Preliminary comparison of the studentspsila abilities in both subject matters is presented, based on exam question responses in the separate courses versus those in the combined course.