Abstract:

Nowadays, Civil Engineering Schools cannot be oblivious to the irruption of technology in the daily activities of future engineers. In Civil Engineering in general, and in particular in the field of hydraulic engineering, there are many computer tools used in the development of the career. Engineering solutions to real problems are turning into complex decision-making processes, where different disciplines should interact. Consequently, updates on education to provide engineers with the appropriate tools to manage such situations are strongly demanded.

Graduate and Master Curricula are geared towards students acquiring a series of skills, regarding not only the acquisition of knowledge, but also the training to access the labour market. The subjects have a strong theoretical background to be learned and assimilated by the students, usually by means of master lectures. Besides, some of the subjects can incorporate other type of lectures, including the use of computer tools, to provide students other skills to acquire.

In this context, within the context of Maritime and River Engineering subjects in the University of Granada, different computer tools have been included in the lectures. Firstly, some of the problems raised are solved with spreadsheets. Besides, the use of an open source programming language as Python allows complex problems resolution, including wave climate analysis or maritime structures design, as an example. Lastly, numerical models are used to real case resolution. Teachers observed a high motivation of students, who even ask to attend extra courses oriented to the complementary tools used in the lectures. In addition, other resources as free-based learning web platforms are planned to be implemented.

Keywords:

Computer tools, maritime engineering, river engineering, professional skills.