ES 110: Introduction to Engineering and Lab Experience (2)

Fall 2009

 

 Activity

Activity Location

Instructor

Office in Salazar Blg

Office hours

Email

Tel

Lectures: Mon

10:00-10:50 AM

Salazar Blg. Room 2009A

Dr. Ali Kujoory

Room 2005

Mon 11:00-12:00 PM

Thu 3:00-4:00 PM, or by appointment

ali.kujoory@ieee.org

(707) 664-2030

Labs: Thu

1:30-4:00 PM

Salazar Blg. Room 2003

Dr. Farid Farahmand

Room 2010A

by appointment

farid.farahmand@sonoma.edu

(707) 664-2361

 

Course Description:   1 hr Lecture, 2 ½ hr Lab. This course is designed to introduce the field of engineering to the students and expose them to the electrical, electronics, optical, networking, and computer equipment and lab environment.

 

Course Objective:

·       To describe “engineering” and the fields of engineering

·       To learn how to study to successfully complete the engineering program and develop leadership skills

·       To understand what would be expected from you as an engineer at the work place, as well as in society, your ethical, and & professional responsibilities as engineers

·       To discuss what are the various choices you can make

 

Prerequisite: None

 

Textbook:  “Studying Engineering: A Road Map to a Rewarding Career”, 3rd Edition, by Raymond B. Landis, ISBN 9780964696921, Discovery Press, 2007, 352 pages.

 

Course Slides: We will go through the course slides (see below) in the class.  I urge you to download and review the slides before each class.  You are required to read the textbook after each class for further reinforcement.

For the lab schedule go to        http://www.sonoma.edu/users/f/farahman/sonoma/courses/es110/index.shtml 

 

Attendance: Attendance is mandatory.  There will be no excused absences except in the case of emergencies that could be substantiated.

 

In-class and In-Lab activities:  There are many "group discussions" and exercises

·       To expand your understanding and scope of the material covered in lectures including design and lab work

·       To improve your communication, presentation, and summarizing skills

·       To enhance your team building via group activities

 

Class Participation:  Your participation in the class and in the group discussions (see the list below); also based on the reading, developing questions, or perspectives you would like to raise in the class

 

Notebook: Please bring a notebook (e.g., a spiral or a 3-ring binder) that will be used to document:

1.      All notes taken in the class

2.      All course assignments

3.      Questions, issues, or perspectives you gained from the reading and would like to raise in the class

4.      Group discussions and your opinion/comments on each section of the course

 

NOTE:   You are required to bring your text and your notebook to every class/lab meeting.

 

Homework:  Homework (see the list below) will be assigned bi-weekly.  Your answers/solutions must be turned in, preferably electronically in soft copy, no later than the beginning of the due session.  You can use MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or text and attach your solutions in an email to ali.kujoory@ieee.org.  Be concise, neat, and organized.  There will be points for your presentation.

 

Quizzes:  There are 4 ten-minute multiple-choice quizzes to be given during the class.  These quizzes are useful in motivating you to take your reading of the textbook and the slides seriously.  The grade %, the dates, and the quiz coverage are indicated below.

 

Grading:  The course grades will be based on the following:

1.      Lectures 50% as follows:

·         Grade on your participations in the class and in the group discussions (see below) 6%

·         Total homework assignments 28%

·         Total Grade for the quizzes (16%)

2.      Labs 50% (details will be provided by the Lab instructor). Note that 16% of this 50% will be allocated to your participation in Group Discussions in the lab.

To enjoy good grades, follow the steps at the bottom of this website (*)!

 

Academic Honesty:  You are responsible to behave ethically & honestly.  Copying, cheating, forgery, and other unethical or dishonest actions are not tolerated.  See http://www.sonoma.edu/uaffairs/policies/cheating_plagiarism.htm

 

My Expectations:

·         Always come to class prepared and on time to learn

·         Whenever for some critical reason you cannot attend, send me an email in advance

·         Read the slides before each lecture and the related chapter after the lecture

·         Reading the references deepens your understanding as a student

·         Hand in your assignments on time

·         Ask questions when you have them and contribute when you can

·         Have fun and look back on this as a positive and worthwhile course for your study and career development

 

Lecture Syllabus and Assignments (Also see the table below).  The Lab instructor will provide the syllabus for the lab sessions.

 

·         Week 1, 2  KEYS TO SUCCESS IN ENGINEERING STUDY:

Purpose and Philosophy of This Course, What You Can Expect to Get out of This Course, What Is Expected from You,

What Is "Success", Keys to Success in Engineering Study, Models for Viewing Your Education, Structure Your Life Situation (Chapter 1)

 

·         Week 3, 4, 5   THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION:

What Is Engineering? The Engineering Process, Case Study (Solar-Powered Electric Vehicle), Greatest Engineering Achievements of the Rewards and Opportunities of an Engineering Career, Engineering Disciplines, Engineering Job Functions, Employment Opportunities, Important Fields for the Future, Engineering as a Profession , Steps for Solving Engineering Problems, International System Base Units (Chapter 2)

 

·         Week 6   THE TEACHING/LEARNING PROCESS:

What is Learning, How Do We Learn, Metacognition (Improving Your Learning Process), Learning Is a Reinforcement Process, Understanding the Teaching Part, Mistakes Students Make, Don’t Be Hung Up on the Idea of Seeking Help, Academic Success Skills Survey (Chapter 3)

 

·         Week 7   MAKING THE MOST OF HOW YOU ARE TAUGHT:

Early Course Preparation, Preparing for Lectures, During Your Lectures, Making Effective Use of Your Professors, Utilizing Tutors and Other Academic Resources (Chapter 4)

 

·         Week 8, 9   MAKING THE LEARNING PROCESS WORK FOR YOU:

Skills for Learning, Organizing Your Learning Process, Preparing for and Taking Tests, Making Effective Use of Your Peers (Chapter 5)     

 

·         Week 10, 11   PERSONAL GROWTH and DEVELOPMENT:

Personal Development (Receptiveness to Change), Making Behavior Modification Work for You, Understanding Yourself, Understanding Others/Respecting Differences, Assessment of Your Strengths and Weaknesses, Developing Your Communication Skills, Mental and Physical Wellness, Motivating Yourself (Chapter 6)

 

·         Week 12, 13   BROADENING YOUR EDUCATION:

Participation in Student Organizations, Participation in Engineering Projects, Pre-Professional Employment, Putting Something Back (Chapter 7)

 

·         Week 14   ORIENTATION TO ENGINEERING EDUCATION:

Organization of Engineering Education, Community College Role in Engineering Education, The Engineering Education System, Academic Advising, Academic Regulations, Student Conduct and Ethics, Graduate Study in Engineering, Engineering Study as Preparation for Other Careers (Chapter 8)

 

·         Week 15   QUESTIONS and ANSWERS

Bring any question you have to discuss.

 

Group Discussions:

 

·         Objectives - Let the students learn teamwork, be able to discuss problems and find total solutions, resolve differences, practice leadership, summarize ideas, and present their finings

·         The in-class group discussions are for short topics, about 10 minutes most including the group work, sharing, and presenting the result of the discussion

·         The in-lab group discussions are for major topics during a lab session with ample time for the members to discuss the topic in more detail and present the results.  There may be more than one topic in the lab session

·         Structure – The class is divided into 2 or more groups, each group comprises 3-5 students, with one Group Leader chosen by the group members for each activity or topic

·         Responsibility of group members – All members should participate actively in all activities and contribute to the discussion

·         Responsibility of Group Leader

        Facilitates the group discussion, keeps the necessary order, makes sure that the group is focused on the topic, keeps the votes if required, summarizes the output (according to the votes if necessary), and makes sure that the group delivers on time (Notes can be captured by a recorder or the leader)

        Leadership rotates among members so that every member will have an opportunity to practice leading a group

        For each activity the group leader presents the output/result to the class

·         Tools

      White board plus colored markers for both the in-class and in-lab group discussions

      Computer and access to the Internet for the lab group discussions

      Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, and Powerpoint

 

Tentative List of Activities: Chapters to be Covered, Homework Assignments and Due Dates, and Topics for the Group Discussions

Note that four lab sessions on Thursdays are also included here.  For other lab sessions, go to http://www.sonoma.edu/users/f/farahman/sonoma/courses/es110/index.shtml 

 

Dates

Chapter

Homework # Due

Topics for Group Discussions and Quizzes

MON 8/31

10-10:50 AM

Intro & Chap 1

 

Students introduce themselves in each group & Start interacting with peers

Ch1, Define Success.

MON 9/7

 

NO CLASS, Labor day

MON 9/14

10-10:50 AM

1

HW1: Ch1, Prob 9, 17, 21, 22, 23

Ch1, Discuss & compare the two viewpoints:

- “People succeed because of their ability”

- “People succeed because of their effort”.

THU 9/17

1:30-4:00 PM

 

 

Ch2, To practice the “Engineering Design Process”, assume that the final product is “A device that throws tennis balls to help individuals with physical limitation in hands“.  The user must be able to move the platform around XY axes easily using a simple electronic joystick or a mechanical handle. Outline the Engineering Design Process for this product.  List any assumptions you make & the requirements for your design. Be bold with your good ideas.  The group leader will present the steps, the requirement, & the design to the class.

MON9/21

10-10:50 AM

2

 

Ch1, Discuss what is meant by the motto “No Deposit, No Return”.  List up to 5 examples on different aspects of life including education.  Share any interesting stories.

MON 9/28

10-10:50 AM

2

HW2: *My_ES_Plan, Ch1, Prob *A, & Ch2, Prob 5, 11*AA, 16

Ch1, Discuss “Fixed Mindset versus Growth Mindset”.

 

THU 10/1

1:30-4:00 PM

 

 

Invited talk by Dr. Gude, UCSF, Director of Rural Care Innovation, will demonstrate use of robots to monitor patients with critical health problems remotely anytime he desires, from anywhere, with mobility in hand.

MON10/5

10-10:50 AM

2

 

Ch3, List the differences between “Engineering Study” & “High School Study”.

THU 10/8

1:30-4:00 PM

 

Ch2, To practice the “Engineering Design Process”, assume that the final product is “A car alarm that would go off if the driver falls asleep”. Outline the Engineering Design Process for this product.  Make a list of any assumptions you make & the requirements for your design. Focus on the mechanism that detects when the driver is falling asleep.  Be bold with your good ideas. The group leader will present the steps, the requirement, & the design to the class.

MON10/12

10-10:50 AM

2

 

Lecture, followed by Quiz1 on Ch1 & Ch2 (10 min.)

MON10/19

10-10:50 AM

3

HW3: Ch2, Prob 39, Ch3 Prob 4*B, 8*BB, 9, 10*BBB

Ch4, List & discuss the “Behaviors to Avoid” & “Winning Behaviors”.

- What are the behaviors that may irritate your professors during the class?

- What are behaviors that helps winning your professors?

THU 10/22

1:30-4:00 PM

 

 

Group 1. List some of exceptions to the restrictions of hazardous substances.  Why are these restrictions allowed?

Group 2. The cell phone manufacturers and service providers tend to believe that the effects of cell phone on human heath are minimal.  What do you think the reasons of their mindset are?

Group 3. What are the laser hazards to various body parts?  How is laser beam hazardous?

Group 4. What are the effects of electric power transmission on health?

MON10/26

10-10:50 AM

3

 

Ch4, How can you make Effective Use of Your Professors

MON11/2

10-10:50 AM

4

HW4: Ch4, Prob 3*C, 8*C, 9, 14*C

Ch5, Answer the questions on studying in groups (Ch5, Slide 26):

- What % of my studying should be done in groups?

- What is the ideal size of a study group?

- What can be done to keep the group from getting off task?

MON11/9

10-10:50 AM

5

 

Lecture, followed by Quiz2 on Ch3 & Ch4 (10 min.)

THU 11/12

1:30-4:00 PM

 

 

a)      List at least 5 non-ethical actions & behaviors & their dangers to self & community.  You can use the Internet to include examples to support your argument.  Share any interesting story.  The group leader will present to the class the list made by the group.

b)      Download the “SSU Student Rights and Responsibilities” and outline it in your presentation.

c)      Download the “Student Code of Conduct” and outline it in your presentation.

d)      List in a table the contacts (e.g., location, tel #, email, URL) of various helpful resources at the university. Examples of resources are: Advising/Counseling Center, Academic Planning, Writing Center, Placement center, Part-time & summer job, Gymnasium, Library, Student loan, Health Center (Immunization). Present your finings.

e)      List the positive & negative aspects of graduate study.

MON11/16

10-10:50 AM

6

HW5: Ch5, Prob 3, 5*CC, 6, 10

Ch6, p230 Discuss the Silver Rule – “What you would not want others to do unto you, do not do unto them.”  Share any interesting story.

MON11/23

10-10:50 AM

6, 7

 

Ch7, make a list of Behavioral Interview Questions

MON 11/30

10-10:50 AM

7, 8

HW6: Ch6, *D, Prob 5, 7, 19, 21

Lecture, followed by Quiz3 on Ch5 & Ch6 (10 min.)

 

MON12/7

10-10:50 AM

8

HW7: Ch7, Prob 14*F, 15*F, 16*G & Ch8 Prob 11

Q & A, followed by Quiz4 on Ch7 & Ch8 (10 min.)?

MON 12/14

TBD

TBD

TBD


Notes:  Use Microsoft Word or Excel, or plain text for submission of your homework.

 

* A Ch1, Problem *A, Use a table to list all your weekly activities (attending classes, studying, commuting, eating, sleeping, working or working out, hanging out, etc.) in one column, and the number of hours you actually spend on each activity in the second column, given that there are 7*24 hours available to you in a week.  In the third column, specify the number of hours you ideally need for each activity.  Compare the numbers in columns 2 and 3 for each activity.  Now, in column 4, write down what you may want to do to bring the two numbers closer to each other.  Be honest to yourself.

*AA Ch2, change Problem 11 to - Write a paragraph about 200 words “Why I Want to be an Engineer” by expanding on your top four items from the list in Section 2.5 of your book (Rewards & Opportunities of and Engineering Career) explaining why each is important to you personally.

*AAA Ch2, Problem 18, pick one technology and write about 500 words.  You can include diagrams.  Include any reference you use.

*B Ch3, Problem 4 (related to the list of “expert” learners on page 122), replace last sentence with “Pick the most important item and develop a plan in form of bullet list that includes steps you can take to move this item to your other list.”

*BB Ch3, Problem 8, it is suggested that you use MS Excel to get your score total automatically.

*BBB Ch3, Problem 10, change the 2nd phrase to the end to “pick the one skill you feel you most need to improve.  Develop a plan in form of a bullet list for improving in each idea.  Make sure to implement the plan.

*C Ch4, Report your results.

*CC Ch5 prob 3, write a report about 250 words rather than 1 page

*D Ch6, Use the table on slide 14, Ch6, to assess yourself (1-10, 10 highest) based on the attribute model. State your personal development plan for improving the areas that you have a low mark.

*F Ch7, Problems 14 & 15: Search & identify a company that offers summer jobs. Write a resume (for Prob 14) & a cover letter (for Prob 15) to that company & apply for a job.  Report your resume and cover letter.

*G Ch 7 Problem 16, Report your friend’s critique on all the 15 questions.

*My_ES_Plan, Write down your "ES_Plan" for the engineering curriculum that you are planning to take.  List all courses, & credits, and the prerequisites you are planning to take each semester in a table.  You can start with the sample the ES_Plan (Click “My_ES_Plan.xls” for a sample copy).  Make sure that all prerequisites are satisfied & each semester you have a balanced course load.  For the map of the prerequisites, use the roadmap provided by the ES Dept. Be specific with the GE, technical and non-technical courses and put a course number for each. You can discuss your ES_Plan with your peers.  Review this ES_Plan with your advisor & get his/her approval & comments with signature & turned it to me in the next lab session.  I urge you to review this roadmap & discuss it periodically with your advisor for advice.

 

(*) Ways to succeed in the course efficiently: Practice makes perfect! 

Practice the following and observe how your grades improve quickly:

·         Before the class

o   Download the slides from the website and go through the slides.

o   Make a list of questions on the points that you do not understand

o   These are like “warming up” for a physical workout and make lectures a reinforcement rather than an initial exposure.

·         In the class:

o   Take the front seat in the class

o   Be present, pay attention, and listen actively

o   Take good notes & record whatever your professor writes on the board.

o   Ask the questions you prepared to clarify.  This keeps you awake and focused and impresses your professor.

o   “Do not be reluctant to ask questions”

·         After the lecture:

o   G through the slides, notes, and do the assignments/hoework problems to practice.

o   This way you will learn the material with no worries and you can do well in your tests with only little review/preparations.

Note that you need to study at least 2-3 hours for each lecture hour.

 

References:

          The references in the text book.

          “Introduction to Engineering,” 3rd edition, 2002, ISBN: 0-471-05920-X, Paul H. Wright, Wiley, 288 pages.

          “Introduction to Engineering: Modeling and Problem Solving,” Jay Brockman, ISBN 978-0-471-43160-2, John Wiley, 2009, 588 bpages.

          “Introduction to Engineering Analysis,” Kirk D. Hagan, 2nd ed., ISBN 0-13-145332-7, Prentice Hall, 2005, 346 pages.

          “Engineering Fundamentals: An Introduction to Engineering,”, 1st Ed., Saeed Moaveni, Brooks/Cole Publishing 2002, ISBN#: 0534381162, 512 pages.

          “Engineering Design – a project-based Introduction,” Clive Dym, Patrick Little, ISBN 0-471-28296-0, John Wiley, 2000, 278 pages.