----- Title: ----- The Foundation: The Teaching of Finite Elements at Undergraduate Level ----------- Organizers: ----------- Jat du Toit School of Mechanical Engineering North-West University Private Bag X6001 Potchefstroom 2520 South Africa Email: Jat.DuToit@nwu.ac.za Ph: +27 18 299 1322 Fax: +27 18 299 1320 Mike Gosz Associate Provost for Undergraduate Affairs Illinios Institute of Technology Main Building Rm. 102 3300 S. Federal St. Chicago IL60616-3793 USA Email: gosz@iit.edu Ph: +1 312 567 3198 Goran Sandberg Head of Department of Construction Sciences Chair of Structural Mechanics Director: Centre for Scientific and Technical Computing Lunarc Lund University PO Box 118 SE-221 00 Lund Sweden Email: goran@byggmek.lth.se Ph: +46 46 222 8146 ------------------------- Minisymposium description: ------------------------- The teaching of finite elements methods and analysis at the undergraduate level lays down the foundation for our endeavours based on this methodology. It concerns itself with the future of all our efforts. It is therefore imperative that at a congress such as the USNCCM we should pay attention to this important subject. Originally, finite element methods were only taught at the post-graduate level. As finite elements codes became more generally available and user-friendly, the teaching of finite element methods and analysis gradually found its way into undergraduate programs. Based on the textbooks that are being published a wide spectrum of approaches to the subject is observed. This ranges from an almost purely practical approach with little emphasis on the underlying theory, to a highly theoretical approach with some reference to practical applications. It is the aim of this minisymposium to encourage the exchange of ideas on issues such as: * At what stage and how should students be introduced to finite element methods and analysis; * What should be the balance between theory and practical applications; * What should be the scope of the theory that we address; ? What should be the contents of the associated courses; and * How could finite elements be used to support and enhance the understanding of physical phenomena. The structure and building blocks of a proper foundation in finite element methods and analysis, therefore, constitutes the focus of this minisymposium