This paper shows how electrical engineering undergraduates can acquire a working

knowledge of the finite element method (FEM) within a short period of time using MATLAB. For

simplicity, only first-order triangular elements are considered. The scalar wave equation for

homogeneous isotropic waveguides is used for introducing the FEM. Simple waveguide problems,

including a design problem, are discussed as examples. It is shown how the knowledge acquired can

be extended to other electromagnetic problems