The synergistic integration of mathematics, software engineering, and user-centred design: exploring new trends in education

Abstract

There is an increasing recognition in the society that interdisciplinary challenges must be part of new educational practices. In this paper, we describe the key curriculum activities at the University of Southern Denmark that combine mathematical modelling, software engineering, and user-centred design courses. These three disciplines represent a core of our graduate program, aiming at educating the professionals that will be capable of not only using but also further developing new technologies, and therefore, will be capable of fostering further the progress in computational science and engineering. Finally, we show how the learning environment, with emphases on broadening the student experience by industrial links, affects the student career aspiration.

Introduction

Computational science and engineering (CSE) has evolved into a discipline in its own right and its role in the society has continued to increase. Numerical simulation plays a key role in, and is an intrinsic part of CSE since it allows us to facilitate scientific discoveries and to make the process of engineering design more efficient than has ever been possible. However, designing technology and creating new products that would have an impact in years ahead is not about just performing computations based on the existing models or the models that are currently being developed. Rather, it is close continuous interactions in the process of product design and technology development between applied mathematicians, mechanical and electronic engineers, software and usability engineers, and hardware specialists that will make a difference in years ahead.

We see CSE as the synergistic integration of mathematical models, sciences, mechanical, electrical, and computer systems with human expertise and experience. The current economic forces and the market-driven university environment are not the same as they were several decades ago. They might not be very favourable in attracting the best minds in mathematics, physics and other core science curricula. However, it is clear that as the boundaries between the sciences and engineering become increasingly blurred, an increasing number of very strong students will look for a multidisciplinary education. Moreover, there is evidence to suggest that educational programs with an engineering design component will become increasingly popular [2]. Being an integral part of CSE education, the program we discuss in this paper is different from what has been already developed at other institutions of which we are aware (e.g. [9]). The difference is concerned primarily with the fact that the curriculum at the Mads Clausen Institute (MCI), University of Southern Denmark is developed with the major focus on teaching students how to apply mathematical models in conjunction with tools and methodologies of mechanical, electronic and computer engineering to the design of industrial products.

The MCI at the University of Southern Denmark is a centre for product innovation with research and development expertise in the areas of mathematical modelling of physical systems, in particular modelling of electromechanical systems and computational electronics, software design, and user-centred design (UCD). The MCI has a strong tradition of links with manufacturers of mechatronics devices and in applying mathematical modelling, software engineering, and UCD tools during the process of product development. In particular, we have close links with the largest industrial concern in Denmark, Danfoss.

Since CSE education is traditionally based on problem solving methodologies, it is generally agreed (e.g. [9]) that (a) CSE differs from classical education in mathematics and/or computer science because CSE by definition and by tools is based on collaborative efforts of people working in different disciplines, and (b) CSE differs from an often-used approach in engineering education where students learn how to use “canned” codes because CSE by definition and by tools is based on creativity. Nowadays CSE is considered as an important partner to theory and experimentation in the set of tools that advance science and engineering [5], [10]. It is evident that higher education has to respond to an increasing demand in training people who are able to effectively use integrated knowledge and methodologies coming from a fusion of several different disciplines pertinent to CSE. We believe that a core subset of these disciplines should include mathematical modelling, software engineering, and UCD in a graduate program aiming at educating the professionals that will be capable of not only using but also further developing new technologies, and therefore, will be capable of further fostering the progress in CSE. At the MCI, University of Southern Denmark we strive to integrate the above three areas, and in this paper we show that the intended fusion is possible, and can bring along important benefits to students, not achievable otherwise.