In offering the course at MPEI, three major objectives were born in mind. The first is to help the student understand the theory behind the FEM, its limitations, and the approximations used in applying it to solve the field problem in practical situations. The second objective is to prepare graduate students for research in NDT, that is, to teach them how correctly to pose and numerically analyze variety EM problems. The third objective is to give them the ability to expand their problem-solving skills using powerful numerical method and to become a qualified users of the FEM to model inspection procedures by using the code MAGNUM [1] developed for this course.

FEM model of an EM examination, as it is realized in MAGNUM, contains a quantitative description of the probe, the excited current, the scanning of the probe, the tested component's geometry, properties of the material. The aim of such a model is to predict the shape of signals detected in a hypothetical scan of the selected probe over the component.

There are some advantages to such model-based approach in education, the most important one being the capability to generate signals without purchasing the probes and defect samples. This allows the students to acquire a wide experience of inspections by providing a variety of samples for study, involving variations in material properties, probe or defect parameters.

Based on the experience gained from teaching this graduate course, it is concluded that the use of the FEM package MAGNUM raises the student interest in the area of NDT analysis and design. REFERENCE

1. V. P. Lunin, S. V. Kirsanov, "A Finite Element Code MAGNUM for Analysis of Electromagnetic Field on Personal Computers", 37th International Scientific Colloquium", Illmenau, 1992, pp. 107-111.