Modelling, programming and computing have become core activities of modern day engineering. In this context, an early introduction to and continued experience with engineering computer software, an ability to interpret solutions and a solid understanding of the computer representation of numbers are major benefits to the future careers of engineering students.

A noticeable emphasis on computing and modelling goes back to the calculus reform, a main theme in undergraduate mathematics education within English speaking countries during the last two decades.

Engineering departments whose students have learned within the reform calculus have the opportunity to regard more realistic and sophisticated models that include more relevant factors than just those simple cases with a closed form solution. Many of these Departments noticed an increase in students' conceptual understanding of the mathematical ideas and techniques for interpreting solutions based on graphical or numerical output.

Recent reform efforts include the swedish 'Body & Soul' project, whose books aim at combining analytical and computational components and the HELM (Helping Engineers Learn Mathematics) project, which was initiated by the University of Loughborough in England.