This paper discusses two software packages used in kinematics courses at Purdue University, Calumet (Indiana) and some algorithms written by students for cam design. The first software package, 4BAR, requires the user to define the particular four bar linkage in terms of lengths of the individual links and the angle and distance to the coupler point. Once the linkage has been defined, the user is free to select different options which will analyze various aspects of the linkage. The options are as follows: (1) coupler curve point; (2) table of output; (3) transmission angle; (4) animation; (5) position; (6) velocity; and (7) acceleration. The second software package, CADAM, allows the user to test the motion of a mechanism to verify that it works as designed. The program allows the user to construct and modify mechanisms, delete existing linkages, animate the motion of the mechanism, and display the motion coordinates of the mechanism on a graph or table. Figures and graphs are included to show some of the capabilities of both software packages. A sample of a computer project in which students were asked to write a computer program that could calculate and generate a cam profile is also included. The problem statement and a diagram that were part of the assignment and a computer program (in both BASIC and FORTRAN programing languages) are also provided. (KR)