Micros for students-a computer-intensive environment

ABSTRACT

In order to integrate effective computer utilization into undergraduate engineering, science, computer science, and management curricula, Stevens Institute of Technology has added to its central computer capabilities, personal ownership of microcomputers by students. In 1983, and again in 1984, all entering freshman at Stevens were required to purchase a Digital Equipment Corporation Professional 350 computer with 10 megabyte hard disk, 512K of random access memory and dual floppy disk drives with 800K bytes of storage. With this system, students received PROSE editing software for word processing and two programming languages, BASIC and FORTRAN. DEC PRO 350s have also been distributed in various campus locations and a subsidized program has resulted in widespread faculty ownership of these systems. External grants and institutional funds have supported faculty efforts to develop computer-related curriculum materials in more than 50 courses. Curriculum applications are extremely varied and include simulations, design projects, numerical methods, and tutorials. Currently, there are 1,400 DEC 350s being utilized at Stevens, a pilot networking effort is being implemented, and a fully networked campus is planned for implementation during the 1986/87 academic year. Curriculum examples, initial networking experience, and planning objectives will be discussed.

Index Terms

• Applied computing

  • Education

• Social and professional topics

  • Professional topics

    • Computing education

      • Model curricula