For students pursuing careers in engineering, data science and other technical fields, experience with industry-standard software can provide a competitive edge in the job market. Now, Jaguars can gain that experience using MATLAB, a powerful computing and programming platform available at no cost to all Texas A&M University-San Antonio students, faculty and staff.
The campus-wide access initiative grew out of the work of Burak Asoylu, a mathematics professor who joined A&M-San Antonio in 2021. He began developing innovative educational pathways for students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), including incorporating computer coding into his courses.
“That way, our students are more competitive in the STEM marketplace,” he said.
Last year, Asoylu secured a $329,000 National Science Foundation grant to strengthen STEM graduates’ computational skills and expand the University’s research and training capabilities.
As part of the grant, he led an initiative to secure a campus-wide MATLAB or "matrix laboratory" license. Developed by MathWorks, the software supports applications ranging from engineering and data analysis to robotics, artificial intelligence and machine learning. Its interactive tools help users explore complex concepts, solve problems and develop computational skills.
“MATLAB helps make abstract concepts more intuitive through interactive lessons,” Asoylu said. “It’s particularly valuable as the University strengthens its STEM programs and prepares graduates for careers in in-demand technical fields. It helps students build technical skills, faculty develop innovative teaching methods, and researchers pursue new computational approaches.”
The University is already incorporating MATLAB into its curriculum. This semester, the College of Arts and Sciences introduced Programming for Engineers, a new course that familiarizes students in the Electronic Systems Engineering Technology program with the platform.
Through hands-on experience, students can apply theoretical concepts to practical challenges and develop skills relevant to internships and future engineering careers.
“Having access to industry-standard software such as MATLAB helps our students become more competitive in the workforce,” said Venki Uddameri, professor and chair of the Department of Computational, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences. “Our focus is to make our students readily employable, and MATLAB knowledge goes a long way toward improving the marketability of our graduates and making them strong candidates for local industry.”
Asoylu said A&M-San Antonio is among approximately 2,100 universities worldwide with unlimited, campus-wide access to MATLAB through campus-wide licensing.
“This crucial investment will transform the way we teach,” he said.
Uddameri added that the University’s smaller class sizes also give students opportunities to work closely with faculty as they learn to use the software.
“That individualized instruction helps students better understand the technology and its practical applications, complementing the benefits of access to professional-grade tools,” he said. “Together, the software and faculty support give students more opportunities to develop the knowledge and experience needed to succeed in technical fields.”