Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Mechatronics (Face-to-Face)

ME 3320-01

Course: ME 3320-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ET
CRN: 31133

Course Description

An interdisciplinary systems approach to dynamics and control involving the integration of mechanical, electrical, and electronics engineering using microprocessor control. Involves computer modeling and designing of mechanical, electrical, fluid, and thermal systems.

Required Texts

Required Text

W. Bolton, Mechatronics: Electronic Control Systems in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, 7th ed., Pearson Education, 2018.

Note: Students are required to have a print version (i.e., hardcopy) of the textbook.

Recommended Texts
  • N. C. Braga, Mechatronic Sourcebook, Thomson, 2003.
  • N. C. Braga, Robotics, Mechatronics, and Artificial Intelligence, Newnes, 2002.
  • G. F. Franklin, J. D. Powell, A. Emami-Naeini, Feedback Control of Dynamic Systems, 8th ed., Pearson, 2018.
  • G. F. Franklin, J. D. Powell, M. Workman, Digital Control of Dynamic Systems, 3rd ed., Pearson Education, 1997.

Learning Outcomes

  • Develop an understanding of mechatronic sensor inputs and basic signal processing techniques.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of signals that can be output by microcontrollers, such as high/low voltages, digital logic, proportional voltage, proportional current, etc.
  • Show an understanding of mechatronic system outputs, such as relays, solenoids, motors, hydraulic valves, etc.
  • Develop an understanding of programming principles and common applications such as ladder logic for PLCs and C/C++ based programming for microcontrollers (like Arduino).
  • Develop an understanding of how microcontrollers are used to implement digital control in mechatronic systems.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of basic control system theories and practices, such as proportional, PD, and PID control.
  • Communicate engineering technical expertise through problem solving methods and calculations.

Course Requirements

Course Format
The class meets for three 50-minute lectures. Class time will consist of:
  • Discuss the assigned homework and reading
  • Lecture
  • In-class quizzes and problems

Grade Weightage
  • Quizzes/Assignments: 40%
  • Exam I: 20%
  • Exam II: 20%
  • Final Exam: 20%
Final Exam is comprehensive. 

Quizzes will be posted regularly on canvas. Students must take the quizzes within the due dates on canvas. Students must keep watching the canvas for updates on a daily basis. Please do not miss quizzes and then come up with excuses. It is not possible to reopen the quizzes because the instructor shares the feedback immediately upon completion of the quizzes. Once answers are visible, it is not possible to give quizzes again. 

Labs
Labs will be conducted as part of the lab section and are separate from the class. It is a separate course and will be evaluated appropriately.
Grading
Students will be assessed through a variety of assignments, exams, projects and participation during class. Participation will be recorded as part of the “Homework and Quizzes” grade and may include participation in problem-solving sessions and in-class discussions. The mapping between course scores and grades is given as follows:
A   - 100% to 93 %
A   -  < 93% to 90 %
B+ -  < 90% to 86 %
B   -  < 86% to 83%
B   -  < 83% to 80%
C+ -  < 80% to 76%
C   -  < 76% to 73%
C   -  < 73% to 70%
D+ -  < 70% to 66%
D   -  < 66% to 63%
D   -  < 63% to 60%
F   -  < 60% to 0%

Course Outline

Introduction to Mechatronics; 
Sensors and Transducers
Signal Conditioning
Digital Signals
Digital Logic
Pneumatic and Hydraulic Actuation Systems
Mechanical Actuation Systems
Electrical Actuation Systems
Microprocessors and Microcontrollers
Fundamentals of Computer Science
Programmable Logic Controllers
Basic System Models 
Dynamic Systems Fundamentals
Fundamentals of Control Engineering - Transfer Functions and Laplace Transforms
Basics of Artificial Intelligence




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

Homework

Homework sets will be assigned via Canvas and students are expected to watch Canvas updates regularly. Exceptions exist for doctor- or university-excused absences provided prior information and proper documentation are given to the instructor on time. Homework should be submitted via Canvas uploads unless stated otherwise.

Exams

Exams must be taken as scheduled. Any absence not excused in advance will result in a zero for that exam. Expect examinations to be closed-book and closed-notes. Calculators that comply with the NCEES calculator policy will be permitted on the exam. You may use as much scratch paper as you would like (it must be submitted with the exam). Any deviations from this format will be outlined in class prior to the exam. If you feel an answer on an exam is unreasonable but cannot see the error (or do not have time to correct it) indicate your concern with an explanation of why the answer does not seem right.

Attendance/Late Exceptions

If you are unable to attend, it is essential that you communicate by email about your inability. The instructor’s decision to accept or reject the reasons for lack of attendance and late assignments will be final.

Grading Policies and Disputes

At the end of the semester, requests to change a grade beyond what is earned under the stated grading policy will be denied. Instructors establish rules that apply equally to all students and compute grades accordingly; asking to change the rules for an individual compromises fairness and integrity.

If you find a mistake in the grading scheme, answer key, or an inconsistency between the grading policy as stated and as implemented, please bring this to the instructor’s attention. Appropriate corrections will be made as warranted.

Communication

All announcements will be posted via Canvas. Students are required to read Canvas announcements and respond appropriately. Please communicate with the instructor via email and in person as needed. You are required to access all course information through the course website on Canvas.

Responsibility for Learning

Students are responsible for their own learning. Reading the book and completing the homework assignments may not be sufficient for some students to learn the material and does not guarantee a passing grade. Students should re-read, do more problems than assigned, seek help from a classmate or tutor, and take other actions as needed to increase understanding.

Attendance Policy

You are normally expected to attend class in person and on time. Due to concerns regarding the transmission of COVID-19, normal in-person attendance requirements will be relaxed somewhat. Remote attendance will be allowed when in-person attendance is not possible. Contingent upon the successful installation of video equipment, recordings of the class may also be made available if remote attendance is not possible, such as for health concerns. Despite these accommodations, you will still be required to complete all of your work in a timely manner in order to pass the course.

Special Note: This course will be conducted face-to-face (offline mode only) in the department premises, and attendance is required. In case of emergencies such as COVID situations, classes may be conducted online per university rules and norms. If you are ill or instructed to isolate or quarantine, you may request the instructor to share resources and reasonable accommodations will be supported. The instructor will work with such students to develop a plan for completing coursework while you are isolated/quarantined. To receive academic accommodations and ensure your request is communicated to faculty, you must submit the self-report form.

Course Delivery Modalities: Course delivery modalities are posted online for each course but may be modified in response to COVID conditions. The course modality listed when you registered should remain for the semester; however, due to COVID conditions, the delivery modality for a specific course may change during the semester. When such a modification is needed, faculty will work with their department chair and/or dean, and the students to maintain an effective learning environment.

Course Delivery Modalities

Co-requisite

ME 3325

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.