Using Matlab to teach the introductory computer-programming course for engineers

The introductory computer-programming course for engineers is usually taught using the C++ programming language. This work describes our current effort to introduce a pilot project, which can be used in an evaluation process by those departments that would like to substitute Matlab for C++. Those who would like to continue the current practice, but are looking for more challenging problems/projects involving Matlab can also use the project outcome. The project, at this time, is not calling for elimination of C++, but merely a reversal of our on-going practice at Penn State; namely, twelve weeks of Matlab and two weeks of C++. A discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of conducting a computer-programming course in this format are included.