News

Virginia Tech and The MathWorks Extend Engineering Student Collaboration

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 07/14/09

Blackburg's Virginia Tech College of Engineering will be extending its use of tools from The MathWorks in a three-year initiative with the university's engineering and science students. The vendor, which sells software for technical computing and model-based design, will provide resources and support for the continued use and development of course components that use MathWorks tools including MATLAB and Simulink, industry-standard software applications. The MathWorks will also sponsor Virginia Tech's Ware Lab, where students conduct innovative engineering projects.

This three-year collaboration builds upon years of Virginia Tech students using MathWorks software in academic competitions, such as EcoCAR and Challenge X, which both focus on designing more sustainable vehicles. The company's software has also previously been licensed for use on laptops by Virginia Tech students. For example, the college's 5,700 undergraduate engineering students receive an engineering software bundle that includes 17 MathWorks products.

"Our expanded relationship with The MathWorks provides an extraordinary asset for our engineering and science students," said Glenda Scales, associate dean, international programs and IT. "We continuously strive to create more competitive programs and curriculum, and we know our students expect to learn about and gain expertise in cutting-edge tools that prepare them for industry. By offering MathWorks software, we achieve both of these goals."