First Course For ENGINEERING Students
Q: What first course programming language should be used for engineering (civil, mechanical, electrical not CS) students? Any statistics similar to the CS1 list available?
A: -http://www2.eng.cam.ac.uk/~tpl/languages.html contains some discussion and pointers. -I think that this is a typical CS kind of solution.... imposing a standard religion I tried that some years ago.... and it didn't work. My colleagues with EE degrees took a different approach and did much better. A computer proffessional (and many engineers) find out what their clients need before solving there problems. I suggest you get to know your engineering departments needs and start from there.... similarly for teaching course for scientists (non CS) and artists. They will love you forever if you teach their students the languages they think they need to know. Be prepared for some surprises. Be prepared for Mech eng to want a different language to EE, etc. Also... get feedback. The client's needs change with time. So may the language they need you to teach. Another hint, search out some problems that the students will need to have programmed for their departments assigned work and set them as exercises.