SCIENCE

LOS ANGELES, CA -- Structural Research & Analysis Corp. (SRAC) today announced the donation of 20 seats of COSMOS/Works(TM) Advanced to MassBay Community College. The contribution, valued at $259,000, allows MassBay engineering students to experience the software commonly utilized by industry professionals, thereby preparing them for an engineering career and enabling them to compete with standards set by four-year colleges. MassBay Community College has two campuses: Wellesley and Framingham, Mass. Its engineering program is designed to give students several options upon completion of its associate in science degree in engineering, including transferring to a four-year institution, or becoming engineering aides or mechanical technicians in a number of industries. The addition of COSMOS/Works in the fall of 2001 will enhance MassBay's current curriculum by incorporating hands-on FEA (Finite Element Analysis) training as part of an advanced engineering design class that uses SolidWorks. "SRAC is committed to expanding our educational efforts, so that student engineers can better understand the time and cost benefits of analysis in the real world," said Suchit Jain, vice president of Marketing. "COSMOS/Works allows them to conduct virtual testing and optimization earlier in the design cycle, thereby minimizing the need for expensive, time-consuming analysis and prototypes later on. It's essential that engineering students have 'hands-on' experience with the latest technology and engineering tools that are rapidly becoming an integral component for many companies." The donation came after a conversation between Paula Gralinski, MassBay alumna and regional account manager for SRAC, and Marie Planchard, professor of engineering at MassBay, at a technology show. "Such donations from companies enhance MassBay's reputation in attracting students and placing graduates," said Robert Turcotte, assistant vice president for Institutional Development for MassBay. "As a result, a degree or certificate from MassBay is much more prestigious and our alumni are looked upon with higher esteem in the work force." For more information visit www.cosmosm.com