The place of the computer in chemical engineering education

The rapid pace of technological development in computers makes for special problems in treating the subject in the best way on a chemical engineering degree programme. The computer's strengths and weaknesses in an educational context are considered in general terms, as are the broad objectives of chemical engineering education to a degree level. Four areas of computer application likely to feature in a degree programme are identified as: process modelling; programming; computer-based control of processes, and computer-interactive mathematics tuition. Each of these is reviewed. A reflection on teaching simulation at undergraduate level using a commercial package is presented. The paper discusses the difficulties which fresher students experience with mathematics. Finally, some methods of assessing computer-acquired skills are discussed.