Reinforcing Mathematical Skills In  Introductory Programming Courses


Reinforcing Mathematical Skills In Introductory Programming Courses
Published in:	Global Partnerships for Development and Engineering Education: Proceedings of the 15th LACCEI International Multi-Conference for Engineering, Education and Technology
Date of Conference:	July 19-21, 2017
Location of Conference:	Boca Raton, FL, United States
Authors:	Jeffrey Duffany, PhD. (universidad del turabo, US)
Full Paper:	#463

Abstract: Introductory programming classes are usually part of the core curriculum taken in the first two years by all engineering students. In these classes students learn programming skills by writing, compiling and running computer programs in a chosen computer language. By carefully selecting the programming exercises that are assigned and used in the classroom a variety of outcomes can be acheived depending on what is perceived to be relevant or important to an engineering education. This paper provides an overview of how introductory programming can be used to reinforce basic mathematical skills and gives several specific examples of how this might be done. For example students might be asked to write a computer program to solve the quadratic formula or multiply two square matrices. Not only does this teach the programming language but it also reinforces mathematical skills that are required in more advanced engineering classes.