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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Engineering Design (Face-to-Face)

ME 3055-01

Course: ME 3055-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ET
CRN: 31126

Course Description

Introduction to the principles of engineering design and product development, including planning, concept generation, concept selection, system-level design, detail design, prototyping, and product testing. Prerequisite(s): (ENGR 1030 and ME 2030 and ME 2130) or (ENGR 1050 and EE 2250 and EE 2290) - Prerequisite Min. Grade: D- 

Required Texts

*RECOMMENDED: 
Engineering Design, 6th Edition, Dieter, George E. and Schmidt Linda C.,
McGraw Hill, 2021

Learning Outcomes

After taking this class, students should be able to:
1. Use project management tools to plan and execute an engineering project.
2. Develop requirements for a product.
3. Utilize the engineering design process to develop a product through preliminary and detailed
design.
4. Use creativity and critical thinking to solve real-world engineering problems considering
ethical, societal, environmental and economic issues.
5. Communicate ideas and project outcomes to diverse audiences using oral, written, and
graphical methods.
6. Function as effective team member in a variety of roles such as leadership, administrative and/or technical support.

Course Requirements

1. All homework submitted for grading MUST follow the Homework Requirements (posted on Canvas
and discussed in class). An objective for this class is to teach you how to communicate through your
engineering calculations. Homework not following the requirements will not receive full credit.
Consistent disregard for the homework requirements may result in a grade of zero for the homework.
2. Assignments are due at the beginning of class and NOT accepted once class begins. LATE
ASSIGNMENTS ARE NOT ACCEPTED FOR CREDIT. You are still encouraged to complete late
homework and can always check your answers with me.
3. Written Exam solutions should be neat and easily followed. Points are given for following the
solution process, including drawing free-body and kinetic diagrams when appropriate, indicating the
governing equations and how they apply to the problem and having a clear, follow-able solution carrying
units! Getting a final answer is only part of the problem. You will lose points if I cannot follow your
work and/or see key elements of the solution.
4. Oral exams. Oral exams may require you to provide answers and/or partially solve problems (such as
drawing appropriate diagrams/sketches and writing equations). Keeping your work neat and organized
typically helps you work through solutions. If remotely taking an oral exam, ensure that you have an
adequate way to show your work via the zoom meeting. Practice beforehand to see how it works if
necessary. These exams will be short and you will not want to spend time working out your method
during the exam.
5. Read the Directions - Many mistakes on homework and exams are made because students fail to read the
instructions. This can be particularly detrimental on exams if unnecessary work is performed that wastes
valuable time.
6. Check your work. Ask yourself: Is this answer reasonable? - If your answer does not seem reasonable
and you don’t have time to find your error (for example, on an exam), explain that the answer is not
reasonable as well as a short explanation why you feel that way. Ask yourself, “Would I be happy to pay
for the quality of work that I am producing?” On exams, make sure that any extra sheets you use are
attached in order so that the exam can be graded without need to skip pages or turn to previous pages.
7. For essays, projects or other reports – You writing should be clear, grammatically correct, and
completely address the topic. There should be an appropriate flow of ideas and facts that lead the reader
through logical arguments and data to the conclusions. Being a scientist is no excuse for poor
communication skills.
8. If you need help: The easiest way for me to provide assistance is to see your work first-hand. During
office hours I plan to be available for assistance, however if you cannot make office hours, please email
or call to make an appointment. The best way to get help is to show me how you have attempted to solve
the problem. Getting help on homework works best when you start your assignments early and do not
leave matters until the last minute.

Course Outline

Course Format
One Semester-Long Project: Teams of 3–5 students develop a mechanical product from problem definition through prototype demonstration.
 Milestone Reviews: Regular checkpoints ensure steady progress.

Weekly Breakdown
Week 1 – Kickoff & Team Formation
Lecture: Overview of engineering design process, real-world examples.
 Activity: Team formation, brainstorm broad project areas.
 Deliverable: Initial problem statement.

Week 2 – Problem Definition & Customer Needs
Lecture: Stakeholder needs, functional requirements, constraints.
 Lab: Stakeholder interview simulation.
 Deliverable: Requirements document.

Week 3 – Research & Benchmarking
Lecture: Market research, competitive analysis, patents search.
 Lab: Product teardown & analysis.
 Deliverable: Research report.

Week 4 – Concept Generation
Lecture: Creativity techniques (brainstorming, morphological charts, TRIZ).
 Lab: Group ideation workshop.
 Deliverable: 6–8 concept sketches.

Week 5 – Concept Selection
Lecture: Weighted decision matrices, feasibility, risk analysis.
 Lab: Evaluate and choose best concept.
 Deliverable: Selected concept with justification.

Week 6 – Preliminary Design & Engineering Analysis
Lecture: Statics, dynamics, materials selection, safety factors.
 Lab: Preliminary CAD sketches integrated into analysis work.
 Deliverable: Initial CAD model + calculations.

Week 7 – Midterm Design Review
Activity: Teams present design progress to class and instructor.
 Deliverable: Design review report & feedback plan.

Week 8 – Prototyping Preparation
Lecture: Rapid prototyping techniques, DFMA principles, BOM creation.
 Lab: Prepare fabrication plan.
 Deliverable: Bill of materials + fabrication schedule.

Week 9 – Prototype Fabrication (v1)
Lab-intensive: Build first physical prototype.
 Deliverable: Prototype v1.

Week 10 – Testing & Data Collection
Lecture: Designing test procedures, instrumentation use.
 Lab: Test prototype v1.
 Deliverable: Test data report.

Week 11 – Iteration & Refinement
Lecture: Failure analysis, iterative improvements.
 Lab: Modify design based on testing.
 Deliverable: Prototype v2.

Week 12 – Final Testing & Validation
Lab: Full-scale testing of final prototype.
 Deliverable: Validation report.

Week 13 – Final Presentation & Demonstration
Activity: Present to panel of faculty/industry guests.
 Deliverable: Final working prototype, technical presentation.

Week 14 – Reflection & Documentation
Lecture: Lessons learned, sustainability considerations, future improvements.
 Deliverable: Final technical report.

Assessment
Weekly Deliverables & Lab Work – 25%
 Midterm Design Review – 15%
 Final Prototype & Demo – 30%
 Final Technical Report – 20%
 Participation & Peer Evaluation – 10%


Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Notes
1. Attendance: Class attendance is required. If you miss class you are responsible for all the material
covered and any assignments (due and/or assigned). Unless pre-arranged and approved by the
instructor, due-dates for assignments will not be modified.
a. If you miss a scheduled lab time, you are responsible for coordinating with the instructor a time
to utilize the lab facilities within the time-frame of the assignment.
b. Students are encouraged to follow health guidance regarding COVID-19
(https://www.suu.edu/coronavirus/). If you are staying home due to COVID exposure or
symptoms contact me ASAP so we can arrange for you to complete work remotely. Getting
behind is one of the primary reasons students are not successful in this course.
c. While most of the materials will be available online via lecture videos, canvas posts and
assignments, additional information may be provided during class time. If you miss class, you
are responsible to get information provided in class.

2. Presentations must be given as scheduled. Any absence not excused in advance will result in a
zero for that presentation. Unless pre-arranged, the order in which groups present will be
determined by the instructor. Any material required for a presentation MUST be submitted prior to
class and the presenters are responsible for ensuring the materials are uploaded and displayed.
Students should be prepared to present in class or via a Zoom meeting.

3. Assignments are due at the beginning of class and will not be accepted once class begins. LATE
ASSIGNMENTS MAY BE PENALIZED BASED UPON THE TIME BETWEEN SUBMITTAL
AND THE DUE DATE OR MAY NOT BE GIVEN ANY CREDIT.

4. From time-to-time students may be asked to evaluate their peers. Students are expected to behave in
a respectful and professional manner and provide constructive comments. Disruptive, distracting
behavior or comments that are not at a professional, mature nature will not be tolerated. This
behavior may result in a grading penalty (if the evaluation is an assignment) and/or the student may
be asked to leave the room.

5. The design projects are group projects. The majority of assignments will be given one score for the
entire group (although exceptions can be made by the instructor if significant unequal work is
observed). Each group is responsible for delegation of work. Each student must supply some
technical effort to the group. While it is understood that the level-of-effort may vary among group
members, groups are expected to make an effort to distribute technical and managerial work on the
project as evenly as possible.

6. Cheating of any sort will not be tolerated (on homework or exams). If you collaborate with other
students when completing homework assignments (encouraged) then note the names of those you
worked with on the homework cover sheet.
a. Providing other students information regarding material on an exam (such as discussing or
sharing questions and/or solutions) is considered cheating and is a violation of the SUU
Academic Integrity Policy (SUU Policy 6.33).
b. Use of any materials not explicitly allowed by the exam instructions on an exam is cheating and
a violation of the SUU Academic Integrity policy (SUU Policy 6.33).
c. Use of the websites that provide solution manuals and tutoring services (such as chegg.com) is
not allowed on exams and is a violation of the SUU Academic Integrity Policy (SUU Policy
6.33). Copying solutions from these websites (or other sources) is plagiarism and is a violation
of the SUU Academic Integrity Policy (SUU Policy 6.33).
d. Unless explicitly stated in the assignment, the use of ANY artificial intelligence tool (AI) is not
permitted and is considered plagiarism and/or cheating (such as chatGPT and other AI
websites).

7. Safety and Professional Behavior: Projects may involve the use of lab or other university
equipment. Students should maintain professional behavior at all times, but particularly when
operating equipment. Students are required to read and follow instructions for use of equipment and
only to use the equipment in a safe manner to minimize the danger to oneself and others.
Disregarding safety and/or other procedures will result in your dismissal from the lab area and a
grade of zero for the associated project (at a minimum). If you are unsure as to how to operate
equipment in a safe manner, ask for help.

8. Canvas will be used for posting all assignments, recording scores for homework, projects and exams,
and to make announcements to the class (outside of class time).

9. All correspondence to the entire class outside of class time will be via Cavnas (assignments,
announcements, etc.). Communication to individuals will be to your e-mail address associated with
SUU. You are responsible for periodically checking your email and Canvas for announcements
and assignments.

Attendance Policy

Notes
1. Attendance: Class attendance is required. If you miss class you are responsible for all the material
covered and any assignments (due and/or assigned). Unless pre-arranged and approved by the
instructor, due-dates for assignments will not be modified.
a. If you miss a scheduled lab time, you are responsible for coordinating with the instructor a time
to utilize the lab facilities within the time-frame of the assignment.
b. Students are encouraged to follow health guidance regarding COVID-19
(https://www.suu.edu/coronavirus/). If you are staying home due to COVID exposure or
symptoms contact me ASAP so we can arrange for you to complete work remotely. Getting
behind is one of the primary reasons students are not successful in this course.
c. While most of the materials will be available online via lecture videos, canvas posts and
assignments, additional information may be provided during class time. If you miss class, you
are responsible to get information provided in class.

2. Presentations must be given as scheduled. Any absence not excused in advance will result in a
zero for that presentation. Unless pre-arranged, the order in which groups present will be
determined by the instructor. Any material required for a presentation MUST be submitted prior to
class and the presenters are responsible for ensuring the materials are uploaded and displayed.
Students should be prepared to present in class or via a Zoom meeting.


ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.