Problems requiring numerical solutions of differential equations or the use of agent-based modeling are presented for use in a course on mass transfer. These problems were solved using the popular technical computing language MATLABTM. Students were introduced to MATLAB via a problem with an analytical solution. A more complex problem to which no analytical solution exists was then assigned. An example follows using agent-based simulation techniques to solve problems that are difficult to formulate in terms of differential equations. This example was used as a course project in which a kinetic Monte Carlo simulation was used by students to investigate progenitor cell invasion into a polymeric tissue engineering scaffold.