Course for Engineering Technology

The teaching of applied mathematics for students in the Engineering Technology (ET) curriculum is always a challenge in terms of imparting the essential mathematical knowledge for use in changing technological environments. In this paper, essential MATLAB commands in the applied mathematics course for ET students are emphasized. Of several useful commands available in MATLAB, only a select few, important and essential, commands are introduced to enhance the understanding of the applied mathematical subject. In addition, this introduction of essential MATLAB commands provides useful knowledge for ET students of the current and the future technological approach to solve similar applied mathematical problems. The MATLAB commands that are taught in the applied mathematics course are identified in this paper. In addition, this paper gives notes on the use of each of these MATLAB commands through several mathematical examples. The effects on the student's understanding of and on the enthusiasm developed with the subject by such a teaching of these essential MATLAB commands are also discussed in this paper