• Course description
• General information
• Textbooks
• Differential Equations Primer
• Homebrew texts and notes
• Video pre-class lectures
• Schedule
• Assignments
• Slack
• Homework, quiz, & exam policies
• Academic Honesty/Professionalism
• University-Sanctioned Activities
• Counseling and Wellness Center
• Center for Student Success
• Religious Accommodation Statement
• Access and Accommodations
• Sexual Misconduct/Sexual Harrassment Reporting
• Correlation of course & program outcomes

Course description

This course is an introduction to the mathematical modeling and design of electrical, mechanical, and electro-mechanical systems. A system dynamical approach is used, which allows different energy domains to be modeled within a unified framework. Circuit elements covered include resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, transistors, and operational amplifiers. (Adopted from the course catalog.)

General information

Instructor

Cameron Devine Ph.D.

Email

[email protected]

Classroom location

Cebula Hall 201A or zoom (password on moodle)

Times

A1: TTh 9:00-10:20 am

B1: TTh 10:30-11:50 am

Lecture Notes

ME 345 A1

ME 345 B1

Textbooks

• Derek Rowell and David N. Wormley. System Dynamics: An Introduction. Prentice Hall, 1997. (Required. Abbreviation: RW)
• Agarwal, A. and Lang, J. Foundations of Analog and Digital Electronic Circuits. Elsevier Science, 2005. (Recommended.)
• Paul Horowitz and Winfield Hill. The Art of Electronics. Third Edition. Cambridge University Press, 2015. (Recommended. Abbreviation: HH)

Differential Equations Primer

I highly recommend reviewing the solution of linear ordinary differential equations. Dr. Rico has developed a text Differential Equations Primer For SISO Linear Systems (DE) and a companion lecture series to help prepare students to enter this course.

Homebrew texts and notes

Partial texts (with fill-ins) will be posted on the Electronics (El) and the Dynamic Systems (DS) pages. We’ll work through the entire El text and the first four chapters of DS.

Have a service such as that of the SMU Computer Resource Center print them in bulk for you (start with El for now). Whichever printing service you use, I recommend binding them such that pages can be replaced (e.g. three-ring bindable) in case there are major revisions to a section during the term.

You are required to have a binder (or equivalent) with Electronics Lectures 01.01 - 01.07 ready to show by our third class to avoid a 10% deduction on your first quiz grade. (Or you can show me those lectures on your note-taking tablet.)

Throughout the semester, you should be ready to show these (current) in any class, with threat of 10% quiz grade deductions.

Video pre-class lectures

Before every class, there will be one or more video lectures you will be required to watch! See the Schedule. They are all available on YouTube. Watch them with the texts printed out, filling in the blank sections as you go.

Schedule

The following schedule is tentative. Bonus lectures denoted “+” are optional, but recommended. The class dates listed in bold will be in person.

Assignments

Assignment 1

• Do the assigned reading.
• Do El Exercises:
  • fun.corporationism,
  • fun.pseudoscaras, and
  • fun.banana.
• Do DE Ch 05 Exercises 1 and 3.
• Take the weekly homework quiz on moodle.
• Solution pwd: FD7hBUYBp2HEWvQc0i.

Assignment 2

• Do the assigned reading.
• Do El Exercises:
  • fun.crumble,
  • fun.coracomorph,
  • fun.masticurous,
  • can.hippophobia,
  • can.fruitarianism,
  • can.gastrolobium, and
  • can.thyroprivic.
• Take the weekly homework quiz on moodle.

Assignment 3

• Do the assigned reading.
• Do El Exercises:
  • ssan.ungoopably,
  • ssan.overexplication, and
  • ssan.empetheticism.
• Take the weekly homework quiz on moodle.

Assignment 4

• Do the assigned reading.
• Do El Exercises:
  • ssan.roup,
  • ssan.vestmental,
  • ssan.radiomicrometer,
  • nlnmul.prolongate,
  • nlnmul.synopses (same as prolongate but using impedance methods), and
  • nlnmul.horklump.
• Take the weekly homework quiz on moodle.

Assignment 5

• Do the assigned reading.
• Do El Exercises:
  • nlnmul.spartanism,
  • nlnmul.outsmart (same as spartanism but using the piecewise linear model),
  • nlnmul.combmaker,
  • nlnmul.diaspora,
  • nlnmul.porosity,
  • nlnmul.overbroil,
  • nlnmul.lush, and
  • nlnmul.hogwash.
• Take the weekly homework quiz on moodle.

Assignment 6

• Do the assigned reading.
• Do RW Problems 1.1, 1.4, and 1.6.
• Take the weekly homework quiz on moodle.

Assignment 7

• Do the assigned reading.
• Do RW Problems 2.1, 2.3, 2.5, 2.7, 3.6, and 3.8.
• Take the weekly homework quiz on moodle.

Assignment 8

• Do the assigned reading.
• Do DS Problem graphs.lillimoomie.
• Do RW Problem 2.10.
• Take the weekly homework quiz.

Assignment 9

• Do the assigned reading.
• Do DS Problem graphs.4.
• Do RW Problems 4.3, 4.4, and 4.7.
• Take the weekly homework quiz.

Assignment 10

• Do the assigned reading.
• Do DS Problems ss.7, ss.8, and ss.9.
• Take the weekly homework quiz.

Assignment 11

• Do the assigned reading.
• Do RW Problems 5.6 and 5.12.
• Take the weekly homework quiz.

Assignment 12

• Do the assigned reading.
• Do RW Problems 6.1, 6.6, and 6.12.
• Take the weekly homework quiz.

Assignment 13

• Do the assigned reading.
• Do DS Exercises:
  • emech.rectangle,
  • emech.quadrilateral, and
  • emech.onomatopoeia.
• Take the weekly homework quiz.

Slack

Everyone is required to join the Slack workspace Prof. Cameron Devine. We’ll use it to communicate with each other during the semester. Join by clicking here. Be sure to join the channels #me345-general and #me345-homework.

Homework, quiz, & exam policies

Homework & homework quiz policies

Weekly homework will be “due” on Fridays, but it will not be turned in for credit. However – and this is very important – each week a quiz will be given on Friday that will cover that week’s homework.

Quizzes will be available on moodle each Friday, and must be completed by that evening (before midnight). Late quizzes will receive no credit. The lowest two quiz scores will be dropped.

Working in groups on homework is strongly encouraged, but quizzes must be completed individually.

Exam policies

The midterm exams will be take home, and the final exam will be in-class. If you require any specific accommodations, please contact me.

Calculators will be allowed. Only ones own notes and the notes provided by the instructor will be allowed. No communication-devices will be allowed.

No exam may be taken early. Makeup exams require a doctor’s note excusing the absence during the exam.

The final exam will be cumulative.

Grading policies

Total grades in the course may be curved, but individual homework quizzes and exams will not be. They will be available on moodle throughout the semester.

Homework Quizzes

30%

Midterm Exam 1

20%

Midterm Exam 2

20%

Final Exam

30%

Academic Honesty/Professionalism

What is Academic Integrity?

Saint Martin’s University is a community of faculty, students and staff engaged in the exchange of ideas in the ongoing pursuit of academic excellence. Essential to our mission is a focused commitment to scholarly values and intellectual integrity, and a respect for the ideas, beliefs and work of others. This commitment extends to all aspects of academic performance. All members are expected to abide by ethical standards both in their conduct and their exercise of responsibility to themselves and toward other members of the community. As an expression of our shared belief in the Benedictine tradition, we support the intellectual, social, emotional, physical and spiritual nurturing of students.

What is Academic Dishonesty?

Saint Martin’s University defines academic dishonesty as violating the academic integrity of an assignment, test and/or evaluation of any coursework. This dishonest practice occurs when you seek to gain for yourself or another an academic advantage by deception or other dishonest means. You have a responsibility to understand the requirements that apply to particular assessments and to be aware of acceptable academic practice regarding the use of material prepared by others. Therefore, it is your responsibility to be familiar with the policies surrounding academic dishonesty as these may differ from other institutions.

The Acceptable Use of AI in Coursework

Any use of technology that misleads a reviewer in assessing the student’s mastery of a specific set of skills or knowledge is a type of intellectual dishonesty, that is, a type of cheating. Students who are unsure about the appropriateness of using an artificial intelligence tool (or “AI”) should check with the instructor before using it. This includes the use of tools that generate text, images, video, code, and other works. If you are permitted by your instructor to use one or more AI tools in producing your work, you should disclose the use of that tool. You should say which tool you used and how you used it. Then if you use specific AI generated content (text, images, videos, audio, code, and so on) you should cite it in the style (APA, MLA, and so on) specified by your instructor.

University-Sanctioned Activities

If you are absent from class due to university-sanctioned activities, such as sports, it is your responsibility to request that the absence be excused; otherwise, the absence will be recorded as unexcused. Absent students are responsible for catching up with the class, and if any assignments are due on the day of the absence, it is your responsibility to turn in the assignments on time.

Counseling and Wellness Center

There may be times, as a college student, when personal stressors interfere with your academic performance and your daily life. The Counseling and Wellness Center supports students by addressing mental and emotional well-being with FREE and confidential services. To schedule an appointment, call 360-412-6123 or email [email protected] or stop by the CWC (1 st floor St. Raphael Center).

If you would rather not go to the CWC or need support in the evenings and weekends, please consider using the TimelyCare app (timelycare.com/smusaints) to speak with a mental health provider, free, 24/7, from your phone or computer.

Center for Student Success

The Center for Student Success is an integrated learning assistance program that offers services for students at all levels of achievement in pursuit of intellectual growth and academic excellence. The Center offers peer tutoring, study support, first year/early major advising, and writing support. Please investigate ways in which to support your learning. The CSS is located in the lower level of O’Grady Library. You can sign up for tutoring appointments on the webpage: https://www.stmartin.edu/academics/academic-resources/center-student-success.

Religious Accommodation Statement

Saint Martin’s University, in honor of the sacredness of the individual, and being deeply rooted in the Catholic Benedictine tradition of higher education, values the many religious and spiritual practices of our campus community. Saint Martin’s University supports our students in their ongoing journey of becoming. In compliance with Washington State Law RCW 28B.137.010, Saint Martin’s University reasonably accommodates students for reasons of religious observances.

Access and Accommodations

Your experience in this class is important to me. If you have already established accommodations with Disability Support Services (DSS), please communicate your approved accommodations to me at your earliest convenience so we can discuss your needs in this course. If you have not yet established services through DSS, but have a temporary health condition or permanent disability that requires accommodations (conditions include but are not limited to mental health, attention- related, learning, vision, hearing, physical or health impacts), you are welcome to contact DSS at 360-438-4580 or [email protected] or [email protected]. DSS offers resources and coordinates reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities and/or temporary health conditions.  Reasonable accommodations are established through an interactive process between you, your instructor(s) and DSS.  It is the policy and practice of the Saint Martin’s University to create inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state law.

Sexual Misconduct/Sexual Harrassment Reporting

Saint Martin’s University is committed to providing an environment free from sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence. There are Title IX/sexual harassment posters around campus that include the contact information for confidential reporting and formal reporting. Confidential reporting is where you can talk about incidents of sexual harassment and gender-based crimes including sexual assault, stalking, and domestic/relationship violence. This confidential resource can help you without having to report your situation to the formal reporting process through the Dean of Students – Ms. Melanie Richardson, Associate VP of Human Resources – Ms. Cynthia Johnson, Public Safety – Ms. Sharon Schnebly, or the Office of the Provost – Dr. Tanya Smith-Brice, unless you request that they make a report. Please be aware that, in compliance with Title IX and under the Saint Martin’s University policies, educators must report incidents of sexual harassment and gender-based crimes including sexual assault, stalking, and domestic/relationship violence. If you disclose any of these situations in class, on papers, or to me personally, I am required to report it.

Correlation of course & program outcomes

In keeping with the standards of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, each course is evaluated in terms of its desired outcomes and how these support the desired program outcomes. The following sections document the evaluation of this course.

Desired course outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the following course outcomes are desired:

1. students will have a clear and thorough understanding of concepts, principles, and methods of modeling mechanical, electrical, and electro-mechanical systems;
2. students will be familiar with the operation and input and output characteristics of the following electrical circuit elements:
   • resistors,
   • capacitors,
   • inductors,
   • diodes,
   • transistors, and
   • operational amplifiers;
3. students will understand the designs of basic circuits;
4. students will be able to model electrical and mechanical systems with a unified modeling technique;
5. students will be able to construct state-space models (including state equations) of electrical, mechanical, and electro-mechanical systems;
6. students will be able to analyze the characteristics of system models;
7. students will be able to solve for first- and second-order linear (time-invariant) system responses;
8. students will be able to solve for general linear (time-invariant) system responses;
9. students will understand the larger contexts of electro-mechanical system dynamics, especially with regard to technology development and society; and
10. students will be able to communicate what they are learning and its broader contexts.

Desired program outcomes

In accordance with ABET’s student outcomes, our desired program outcomes are that mechanical engineering graduates have:

1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
2. an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Correlation of outcomes

The following table correlates the desired course outcomes listed along the left hand side with the desired program outcomes listed along the top.