More carrot than stick: Encouraging computer programming in thermal design projects

Kevin D. Cole

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Students will do almost anything to avoid using thermal-property tables. In this paper, Matlab-based thermal-property software is described as an enticement for students to do computer programming in the design of thermal systems. Downloaded shareware was used for steam properties in a steam-cycle project, and an air-property package was developed for use with a gas-turbine project. Although the use of computer programming required considerable effort by both instructor and students, most students did gain a better appreciation of the utility of writing computer programs as part of engineering design. Student evaluations of the course were not significantly affected compared to semesters in which computer programming was not encouraged.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)698-703
Number of pages6
JournalComputer Applications in Engineering Education
Volume21
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2013

Keywords

  • Brayton
  • Rankine
  • power cycle
  • thermodynamics
  • thermophysical properties

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Computer Science
  • Education
  • General Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'More carrot than stick: Encouraging computer programming in thermal design projects'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this