Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Instrumentation and Measurements Lab (Face-to-Face)

ME 4105-03

Course: ME 4105-03
Credits: 1
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ET
CRN: 31140

Course Description

This lab accompanies ME 4100. The lab focuses on hands-on use of instrumentation in engineering applications and proper analysis and reporting methods. (Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Co-requisite(s): ME 4100 Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

None

Learning Outcomes


Lab Learning Outcomes
- Set up and operate instrumentation for mechanical engineering measurements.
- Perform sensor calibration and assess static/dynamic characteristics.
- Quantify measurement errors and evaluate uncertainty.
- Acquire, process, and analyze experimental data.
- Present results in a clear, well-structured technical format.

Course Requirements

1. Co-Requisite

  • Concurrent enrollment in ME 4100 – Instrumentation and Measurement (Lecture) is required.

2. Attendance & Participation

  • Attendance is mandatory for all lab sessions.

  • Students must arrive on time and remain for the full lab period.

  • Active participation in discussions, experiments, and data analysis is expected.

3. Safety Compliance

  • Completion of lab safety training during Week 1 is required before participating in any experiment.

  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

    • Safety glasses

    • Closed-toe shoes

    • Any additional PPE as instructed (e.g., gloves, ear protection)

  • Failure to follow safety rules may result in removal from the lab and loss of credit for that session.

4. Lab Notebook

  • Maintain a bound lab notebook with dated entries.

  • Include experimental setup diagrams, raw data, observations, and analysis.

  • Lab notebooks must be submitted for periodic checks.

5. Pre-Lab Preparation

  • Review lab handouts and complete pre-lab assignments before arriving.

  • Be ready to discuss objectives, theory, and procedures with the instructor.

6. Lab Reports

  • Submit individual lab reports unless otherwise specified for group projects.

  • Reports must include:

    • Title, objective, and theory

    • Equipment list

    • Procedure summary

    • Data and results

    • Error analysis and discussion

    • Conclusion

  • Reports are due one week after the experiment unless otherwise stated.

7. Final Project

  • Design and execute an integrated measurement system using multiple sensors.

  • Submit a final report and deliver an in-class presentation in Week 14.

8. Academic Integrity

  • All work must be your own.

  • Plagiarism or falsification of data will result in disciplinary action according to SUU policy.

9. Technology Requirements

  • Scientific calculator

  • USB storage device for data backup

  • Access to spreadsheet or data analysis software (Excel, MATLAB, or equivalent

Course Outline

Weekly Lab Schedule
Week 1: Lab Orientation & Safety Training
Learning Focus: Lab safety protocols, equipment overview
Deliverable: Safety quiz
Week 2: Introduction to Measurement Equipment
Learning Focus: Use of calipers, micrometers, and basic gauges
Deliverable: Short report
Week 3: Calibration of a Displacement Sensor
Learning Focus: Static characteristics, sensitivity, calibration curve
Deliverable: Lab report
Week 4: Linearity Testing of a Pressure Sensor
Learning Focus: Linearity error calculation, %FSO
Deliverable: Lab report
Week 5: Dynamic Response of a Temperature Sensor
Learning Focus: First-order time constant measurement
Deliverable: Lab report
Week 6: Strain Gauge Setup & Error Analysis
Learning Focus: Wheatstone bridge, temperature compensation
Deliverable: Lab reportWeek 7: Uncertainty Analysis in Measurements
Learning Focus: Statistical methods, propagation of uncertainty
Deliverable: Problem set
Week 8: LVDT Displacement Measurement
Learning Focus: AC excitation, signal conditioning
Deliverable: Lab report
Week 9: Force Measurement Using a Load Cell
Learning Focus: Calibration, hysteresis analysis
Deliverable: Lab report
Week 10: Pressure Measurement Methods
Learning Focus: Manometer vs. transducer comparison
Deliverable: Lab report
Week 11: Temperature Measurement Comparison
Learning Focus: RTD vs. thermocouple performance
Deliverable: Lab report
Week 12: Flow Measurement with Orifice Plate
Learning Focus: Flow coefficient calculation
Deliverable: Lab report
Week 13: Multi-Sensor DAQ Setup
Learning Focus: Signal acquisition, filtering, sampling rate
Deliverable: Lab report
Week 14: Final Measurement Project Presentations
Learning Focus: Integrated measurement system demonstration
Deliverable: Final project report & presentation

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

You simply cannot miss a lab. If you have extenuating circumstances, please talk to the professor.

Attendance Policy

Attendance policy is that you cannot miss a lab. If you have extenuating circumstances, please talk to the professor.

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.