Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Mechatronics Lab (Face-to-Face)

ME 3325-02

Course: ME 3325-02
Credits: 1
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ET
CRN: 31134

Course Description

This lab accompanies ME 3320. Lab activities include the analysis, computer simulation, design, implementation, and measurement of electromechanical systems. (Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Co-requisite(s): ME 3320 Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

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.

Lab Manual will be uploaded for every lab session on canvas course page. 

Learning Outcomes

Lab activities are an extension or application of principles learned in the classroom. As such, course outcomes should be seen as complementary to those of the class, but with a focus on application. These objectives include:
1. Demonstrate understanding of mechatronic sensor inputs and basic signal processing techniques.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of signals that can be output by microcontrollers, such as high/low voltages, digital logic, proportional voltage, proportional current, etc.
3. Show an understanding of mechatronic system outputs, such as relays, solenoids, motors, hydraulic valves, etc.
4. Develop an understanding of programming principles and common applications such as ladder logic for PLCs and C/C++ based programming for microcontrollers (like Arduino).
5. Develop an understanding of how microcontrollers are used to implement digital control in mechatronic systems.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of basic control system theories and practices, such as proportional, PD, and PID control.
7. Communicate engineering technical expertise through problem solving methods and calculations.

Course Requirements

Course Policies and Procedures

1.      Course Format: The class meets for one 150-minute lab each week. Class time will consist of:

i.       Introduce the laboratory activity
ii.      Experimentation and hands-on lab work
iii.      Preparing artifacts to report on lab work

2.      Grades: Due to the experiential nature of this course, lab grades will be based on participation in the various lab activities and the overall quality of work done in lab sessions. Students are required to keep a lab notebook, or captain’s log of all activities completed during lab.
 
3.      Homework: Lab activities will primarily take place during lab time. Students are requested to submit a short report for every lab activity (experiment performed) via Canvas by the due date assigned in canvas. File names for the lab report be named as Lab report-01-your last name. A template will be provided and posted on canvas.

4.      Attendance and Late Assignments: Laboratory activities are primarily experience, rather than knowledge-based. Students do, of course, learn from conducting lab activities, but the simple fact that they have completed these activities is a significant component of earning a passing lab grade. Thus, students who do not attend even a single lab activity will fail the course, unless arrangements are made with the instructor to complete the lab activity either in advance or at a later date. In any case, it should be clear that all lab activities must be completed before a student can earn a passing grade in the lab course, regardless of the calculated grade earned based on submitted documents.
 

5.      Exams: Although students may be required to demonstrate competence in using lab equipment and completing activities, there will be no exams associated with the lab portion of this course.
 

6.      Grading: Students will be graded based on the level of active participation in lab, and on the completion of their regular documentation as recorded in their lab notebook. The mapping between course scores and grades is given as follows.
 

 A      100 %    to  93.3 %
 A-   < 93.3 %  to  90.0 %
 B+  < 90.0 %  to  86.6 %
 B    < 86.6 %  to  83.3%
 B-   < 83.3%   to  80.0 %
 C+  < 80.0 %  to  76.6 %
 C    < 76.6 %  to  73.3 %
 C-   < 73.3 %  to  70.0 %
 D+  < 70.0 %  to  66.6%
 D    < 66.6%   to  63.3 %
 D-   < 63.3 %  to |60.0 %
 F     < 60.0 %  to  0.0 %      

Course Outline

We will have lab activities on the following topics

1. Sensors
2. Actuators

In the process, the students are expected to gain leaning and experience in programming concepts with microcontroller, communication protocols, and data acquisition.   

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

 
Homework: Lab activities will primarily take place during lab time. Students are requested to submit a short report for every lab activity (experiment performed) via Canvas by the due date assigned in canvas. File names for the lab report be named as Lab report-01-your last name. A template will be provided and posted on canvas.

Attendance and Late Assignments: Laboratory activities are primarily experience, rather than knowledge-based. Students do, of course, learn from conducting lab activities, but the simple fact that they have completed these activities is a significant component of earning a passing lab grade. Thus, students who do not attend even a single lab activity will fail the course, unless arrangements are made with the instructor to complete the lab activity either in advance or at a later date. In any case, it should be clear that all lab activities must be completed before a student can earn a passing grade in the lab course, regardless of the calculated grade earned based on submitted documents.

Attendance Policy

Students must complete all lab activities posted on canvas. Missing any single lab activity is not acceptable unless prior arrangements are made with the instructor to complete the lab activity either in advance or at a later date. 

Students who do not attend even a single lab activity will fail the course, unless arrangements are made with the instructor to complete the lab activity either in advance or at a later date. 

For excuses for absence from any lab activity on the scheduled day, students must inform by email with proper reasoning and documentation in advance. 

In case of any medical emergency, students must inform at their earliest convenience. Accommodations will be granted based on the evidence for the emergency provided by the students. However, the students must complete the lab activities at a later date after informing the instructor by email about the schedule for conducting the lab activity. 

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.