MAINTAINING THE COMPETITIVE EDGE - USE OF COMPUTERS FOR UNDERGRADUATE INSTRUCTION

There is a revolution in U.S. undergraduate engineering curricula, one marked by a renaissance of interest in liberal arts education, reemphasis on basic education, and a new emphasis on computer training. The Dept. of Petroleum Engineering at the U. of Texas recognized its weaknesses and in Sept. 1987 designed and implemented new curricula incorporating computer and technical communications skills for undergraduate students. This report provides details of the curricula changes. The results of this 4-year program demonstrate that problem-solving skills of petroleum engineering students are sharpened through computerized education and proficient communication.