Should control be the only motivation, and Matlab the only tool?

摘要

The first part of this paper describes a course on parametric identification offered in two versions, one for graduate students and the other for the continuing education of researchers and engineers. Some of the choices made are explained, including why, in the opinion of the author, motivation should not be restricted to control. The second part of this paper is devoted to explaining why, again in the opinion of the author, students should be presented with other options than using MATLAB (or any of its competitors) for their practical assignments, and to describing some projects in this respect.