Most importantly, faculty members conducting research offer a more relevant and stimulating classroom experience. Research programs also support curriculum development. An undergraduate computer-science course in simulation modeling is being redesigned and taught using the Visual Simulation Environment developed in a research project from 1983 to 1995. This research prototype enables students to describe existing or planned systems that can be experimented with in the simulation form before major commitments of dollars have to be made. Some experiments, such as hazardous waste disposition and smart road design, would not be possible except in simulation form.
Graduate students are partners in the research effort.
The quality of our graduate students is also a factor in the productivity of our programs. Undergraduates also benefit. Finally, research is the basis of the university's land-grant mission to share new knowledge. Sponsored activity also supports instruction and extension. The availability of experts at a nationally recognized research university who can serve as consultants was a factor in WPI receiving the grant, according to WPI President Dean Eyman.