Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Fluid Mechanics Lab (Face-to-Face)

ME 3305-01

Course: ME 3305-01
Credits: 1
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: ET
CRN: 10874

Course Description

This lab accompanies ME 3300. Emphasis is on analysis and reporting of results. (Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Co-requisite(s): ME 3300

Required Texts

N/A

Learning Outcomes

Use fluid mechanics instruments to measure pressure, velocity, and flow rate.

Collect repeatable data and document procedures safely and systematically.

Compute key quantities (Re, friction factor, head loss, pump head/efficiency) from experimental data.

Compare experimental results to theory and explain discrepancies.

Quantify uncertainty and evaluate measurement quality.

Communicate results in a professional lab report using proper figures and engineering format.

Course Requirements

To successfully complete the Fluid Mechanics Laboratory, students must attend and actively participate in all scheduled lab sessions, as experiments cannot typically be replicated outside the assigned meeting times. Students are required to follow all laboratory safety procedures, including wearing approved eye protection and appropriate attire (closed-toe shoes and suitable clothing). Students must complete required pre-lab preparation (assigned readings, pre-lab questions, and/or quizzes) before each experiment to ensure safe operation of equipment and effective data collection.

During each lab session, students are expected to collect and record accurate experimental data, maintain organized documentation (lab notebook or approved electronic equivalent), and work responsibly in assigned teams as applicable. Students must submit lab reports or assigned deliverables on time, demonstrating professional engineering practice including correct units, clearly presented calculations, appropriate graphs/tables, comparison of experimental results to theoretical predictions, and discussion of uncertainty and sources of error. All submitted work must comply with academic integrity standards, including prohibition of data fabrication and unauthorized copying. Failure to meet attendance, safety, preparation, or reporting requirements may result in grade penalties and may prevent successful completion of the course.

Course Outline

Lab 1: Determine fluid density using mass/volume methods, apply proper measurements technique and unit consistency, 

Lab 2: Measure atmospheric using a barometer

Lab 3: Apply Bernoulli/energy equation concepts to different geometries

Lab 4: Calibrate wind tunnel speed

Lab 5: Measure force produced by a water jet striking a plate/vanes, apply momentum equation/control volume concepts, compare theoretical vs experimental force relationships

Lab 6: Determine buoyancy and stability with floating pro submerged objects

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

IF you are late or miss  lab you will receive a 0. Labs can not be made up unless for extreme emergencies.

Please communicate with your professor. 

Attendance Policy

Because this is a hands-on course:

  • Attendance is required.

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

  • Students who miss a lab may not be able to replicate it due to equipment scheduling.

Course Fees

N/A

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.