Instructor: Dr. Farid Farahmand & Dr. Ali Kujoory.

Time: Thursdays, 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Class Location: Salazar Hall 2003
Office: 2010 A Salazar
Phone:  (707) 664-3491
Email:  farahman@sonoma.edu
Webpage:  http://www.sonoma.edu/users/f/farahman/

Course Overview:

In this portion of the course, the focus will be on familiarizing the students with the Engineering Science labs, the equipment in these labs and a glance at some of the software used in the program. You are also required to complete a real engineering design. Read more about what engineers do....

Course Textbook:

There is no textbook for this class. The necessary course material will be posted on the course web site. However, students are expected to spend a small amount of money to purchase necessary materials for their final design project.

Grading Policy for tthe Lab Section:

Completion of labs / Attendance 50%
Final Design Project/User Manual 40%
Final Exam 5%
Team Blog/You Tube/Progress Report 5%
Extra Credit 3%

Final Design Project

The selected project will be based on the current need of the Assistive Living Technology Laboratory at Sonoma State University. The design project must be completed in groups with no more than three members. Each group is responsible to complete the assigned design projects. The project will have both mechanical and electrical parts. The design project must follow the client's specification. Only members of the group with the best project (selected by the client) will receive A+ grade. The second best project with receive A, and so on. The project grade will be for the entire goup. Each project must accompany a User Manual clearly identifying how the design operates. The project grade will be based on the following criteria:

In order to fully understand the nature of the project, groups may require to attend the Sidekicks program one or two Saturdays. Please note if your your project does not work, the group does not receive a grade for the project! All students are encouraged to use the discussion group to exchange ideas and information. Note: Although the final grade for the design project will be based on selecting the best design, all groups are highly encouraged to communicate with one another and assist each other in every possible way. 

Blog Page:

Each group is required to have a blog page. One easy way to create a blog is to use Google's blogger. You can watch video tutorial to learn more. Here is my blogger example for the ES Department. Here is cool example of a student project blog. All progress reports have to be posted on the blog.

Each team's blog must contain the following items:

Extra Credits:

All extra credits must be preapproved by the instructor. The topic for the extra credit should be submitted no later than Oct. 22. Maximum extra credit can be earned is 3%.

Tentative Weekly Schedule:

Date Lab Topics* Project Progress** Assignments
Thu 08/27 Welcome

 

 Read more about what engineers do.  
Thu 09/3 Join the discussion group with a valid email address.
Thu 09/10   Form a group. Submit the link to your blog page.
Thu 09/17+ Group Discussion  

 

  First assignment is due - only answer the questions at the end!
Sat 9/19 Second Sidekicks meeting. Attend to visit students with special needs. [++]
Thu 09/24 Introduction to breadboards - Creating electrical circuits Some ideas for designing the throwing machine

Projectile Simulator

Submit a 1-2 page summary of the project / post it on your blog

Create a http://delicious.com/ account and post the link on your blog.
Sat 9/26 Third Sidekicks meeting. Attend to visit students with special needs. [++]    Pictures
Thu 10/01+ Group Discussion    
Thu 10/08 Introduction to measurement equipment, part 2: AC First  progress report on your project. Post it on your blog. Oral report is required.  Things used for the project
Thu 10/15 AC measurement equipment continued    
Thu 10/22+ Group Discussion
Thu 10/29 Learn about Tones Speakers and AC signals. AC Lab First Prototype must be presented to the client. Last chance to submit a proposal for extra credit.
Sat 10/31 Last Sidekicks meeting. Attend to test the first prototype. ***
Thu 11/05 Discussion / Introduction to Photonics Second progress report on your project. Clearly identify what need to be done. Oral report is required.  
Thu 11/12+ Group Discussion    
Thu 11/19 Learn about relays and photoresistors Second Prototype must be submitted to the client.
Circuit Simulators:
Circuit Simulator Applets
Digital Simulator Applet

 
Thu 11/26 THANKSGIVING! NO  CLASS NO CLASS
Thu 12/03 Introduction to LabView /  Introduction to LabView    
Thu 12/10 Project Presentation Present the Final Product to the Client. Complete class evaluation form.
Thu 12/17 Final Exam Submit the final version of the User Manual. Create a movie and post it on your blog.
*All labs were designed by Mr. Shahram Marivani.  (more)
 
**  Absolutely no late submissions will be accepted!
+ Thought by Dr. Ali Kujoory.
++ All students are required to second or third Sidekicks meeting to meet the students with special needs.
*** Student are highly encouraged to attend the last Sidekicks meeting to test their first prototype.
 
 
Final Note to Students:
As you know, due to state budget cuts, all faculty members are required to take 9 furlough days this semester. Consequently, I will be missing no more than three classes. However, student are still required to submit their work on time as scheduled above.