Politecnico di Milano Encourages Out-of-the-Classroom Learning with University-Wide Access to MATLAB, Online Courses, and On-Campus Training

Previously, professors who taught at the bachelor’s or graduate level had to set aside class time to teach the software skills that students needed for homework, lab assignments, or research projects. Instead of allocating limited classroom time to teaching these skills, the university wanted to provide a flexible online alternative. Further, the university wanted to offer a certification program so that students could demonstrate their mastery of these skills to potential employers.

In past years, the university had to set up computer labs equipped with machines configured with the software the students needed. Not only were the labs costly to maintain, but space was limited—there was no guarantee that students would find a workstation available when they needed it. Politecnico di Milano wanted to provide students with campus-wide access to the software on their own laptops. 

Politecnico di Milano acquired a Campus-Wide License for MATLAB and worked with MathWorks Training Services to provide students with online and onsite training.

The Campus-Wide License gave students, professors, and researchers campus-wide access to MATLAB, Simulink^®, and 80 related products. Instead of competing for limited computer lab space, students now complete assignments and conduct research using MATLAB anywhere they want on their personal computers or laptops.

The university organized tutorials consisting of 15 to 20 hours of training delivered over several weeks. The tutorials, which cover MATLAB basics up through advanced topics using specific toolboxes, were attended by more than 500 students last year.

All students were given access to online, self-paced courses on mathworks.com. Hundreds of students completed these courses, which included MATLAB Onramp, a two-hour introduction to MATLAB, as well as advanced courses on data processing and visualization, programming techniques, and machine learning.

Prof. Biscari worked with MathWorks trainers to set up a Certified MATLAB Associate program for doctoral students. Of the 33 students who participated in the program in its first year, 29 earned the certification credential.

The university decided not to offer the online courses or training sessions for credit. “We don’t require students to take a course on MATLAB; they choose to learn MATLAB because they want to develop the skills that will be most useful in their careers,” explains Prof. Biscari. “Many students prefer studying and learning by themselves because they feel it sets them apart, and they recognize that improving their personal knowledge is an important part of their education.”

• Classroom teaching time optimized. “These days, professors need every hour of class time for instruction,” says Prof. Biscari. “Taking time away to teach a software tool is difficult. That’s why the MATLAB online training and the tutorials we provide are perfect for us; they enable students to learn essential skills outside of class.”
• Students equipped to complete assignments outside the lab. “Previously, we had to provide software and computer labs for students to do their work, and before that it was done with pen and paper,” notes Prof. Biscari. “With the Campus-Wide License, the university no longer has to provide everything; the students work on their own computers at home.”
• MATLAB certifications earned. “Most of the 29 doctoral students who achieved MATLAB certification were planning to pursue careers in industry rather than academia,” says Prof. Biscari. “They participated not only to deepen their knowledge but also to demonstrate to potential employers that they had mastery of skills that are essential to many fields.”