Vertical integration of the undergraduate learning experience

The burden to students of repetitively learning new software packages can be significantly reduced by introducing a consistent computing environment throughout the curriculum. Such an environment must be sufficiently versatile, robust, and powerful as well as extensively used by practicing engineers. Although this experiment in vertical integration is still in its early years, student feedback indicate that this approach is yielding the benefits of developing in senior students a confidence in their ability to communicate, work in teams, and mentor their juniors. Lower-class students are realizing the relevance of the fundamental courses to their career goals and the importance of developing their skills in computing, modeling, and analysis.