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University of Pittsburgh Announces Engineering Education Initiative

26 January 2000

University of Pittsburgh Announces Engineering Education Initiative

New Expanded Curriculum Program Endorses DesignSpace Software from ANSYS, Inc.

    SOUTHPOINTE, Pa., Jan. 25 -- ANSYS, Inc. , a
leading global provider of advanced computer-aided engineering (CAE) software
solutions, today announced an educational engineering initiative in
conjunction with the School of Engineering of the University of Pittsburgh.
This program will enable teachers and students to design simulation tools from
ANSYS, Inc.  In order to improve the quality of learning, especially during
the critical freshman year, the School of Engineering, including faculty from
chemistry, mathematics, and physics, is introducing an innovative integrated
curriculum.
    "The goal of the program is to help students better understand and apply
math and science concepts, and synthesize this knowledge to solve engineering
problems," said Cheryl A. Delaney, director Freshman Engineering Program.
"The new curriculum is based on highly successful models that have been
developed in part through the National Science Foundation funding at several
sites around the country," Delaney added.
    This educational program introduces the use of ANSYS/DesignSpace(R)
software for up-front design analysis.  At this time, the freshman pilot
program which began in 1999 with 40 students, is currently using 20 licenses
of ANSYS/DesignSpace.  Next year, Pitt will incorporate 80 students into the
program and by the third year, hopes to comprise 80 percent of the freshman
class.
    "This is a completely new endeavor for Pitt.  We had a new teaching room
constructed for this program alone, so the students would have the ability to
experience interactive teaching," stated Delaney.  The program is designed to
be a "common engineering curriculum" for all students whether they incorporate
mechanical, industrial, or material science engineering.  Professors have
revised the basic engineering core curriculum so that the engineering,
physics, chemistry, and calculus sequences are closely coordinated.
    "This major change in the curriculum of the University of Pittsburgh shows
how important software tools like ANSYS/DesignSpace have become to the
engineering community.  This educational initiative offers students and
professors a powerful new learning tool that will better motivate them for
what they will be learning later in their studies, as well as in the
professional world," said Jim Cashman, president, ANSYS, Inc.  "We believe
that this project will help the students of today become the design engineers
and industry leaders of the future," Cashman added.
    "Through curriculum programs like the University of Pittsburgh's, students
gain access to powerful simulation tools that are widely used throughout
industry," said Paul Bemis, vice president Marketing, ANSYS, Inc.
"Perspective employers also can find value in this program, which eliminates
the learning curve and ensures that new employees will become more productive
in less time," he added.

    About ANSYS, Inc.
    ANSYS, Inc., headquartered at Southpointe in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, is
committed to providing the highest level of performance on the most advanced
simulation applications in the CAE industry.  ANSYS, Inc. strives to meet the
software requirements for the entire engineering enterprise that is created by
today's competitive marketplace.  ANSYS, Inc. partners with leading hardware
and software suppliers to provide the best engineering environments available.
A global network of ANSYS Support Distributors provides sales, support, and
training for customers.  Information about ANSYS, Inc. and its products can be
found on the ANSYS Website at http://www.ansys.com .

    Note:  ANSYS and DesignSpace are registered in the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office.  All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the
property of their respective owners.