Students are typically exposed to programming in various languages as part of their experience in computer science. Assembly language and hardware concepts are considered standard knowledge in addition to other related topics. Teaching firmware, the integration of hardware and software, is the subject of this paper. The need for teaching firmware is presented, followed by a description of a project assigned to students. Lastly, a discussion of the portability of the concepts learned is presented.

Much has been written about software engineering programs from the viewpoint of the academician, but do these programs really reflect the needs of industry? This paper provides some insight into the needs of practicing software engineers at Texas Instruments who are developing software according to military specifications and requirements for embedded real-time systems. The needs of our environment are compared to the entering skills of a typical new-hire, with the differences noted. These differences can be satisfied by internal training that covers all aspects of software engineering, from communicating with co-workers to understanding the system life cycle.

This paper discusses some of the issues concerning education in the academic environment and training in the industrial work environment. Recent college graduates, "new-hires", must realize as they enter the workforce, that even though they have completed four year degree programs, they are beginning at an entry-level position. They will need job specific training to make them productive software engineersporn their employer's perspective.The aspects of distinguishing between education and training are discussed along with an understanding of how college prepares graduatesfor employment in the computer industry; specifically, the field of military sofhltare development as developed at Texas Instruments.

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This paper discusses some of the issues concerning education in the academic environment and training in the industrial work environment. Recent college graduates, "new-hires", must realize as they enter the workforce, that even though they have completed four year degree programs, they are beginning at an entry-level position. They will need job specific training to make them productive software engineersporn their employer's perspective.The aspects of distinguishing between education and training are discussed along with an understanding of how college prepares graduatesfor employment in the computer industry; specifically, the field of military sofhltare development as developed at Texas Instruments.