The topics of the Instrumentation course are selected to prepare students for the Fundamental of Engineering (FE) exam. This course is required for all mechanical engineering students, and it serves as an introduction to the fundamental principles of solid mechanics, classical dynamics, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics, but presumes no previous experience with measurement techniques. The course includes a 3-hour-per-week lecture and hands-on laboratory. For many students, this may be the first time they have actual hands-on experience with electronics and measurement equipment, such as digital data acquisition systems, strain gages, thermocouples, tachometers, dynamometers, flow meters, velocity meters, pressure probes, pressure transducers, etc. Students will learn not only how to use these devices in the lab, but also the fundamental principles of their operation – how they work. Statistical analysis is integrated into the course, especially in the hands-on laboratories, where statistics is used to analyze, manipulate, plot, and interpret acquired data.

Textbook: Wheeler A.J., and Ganji A.R., Introduction to Engineering Experimentation, (Third Edition), Pearson, New Jersey.

Calculator: You are required to have a calculator that will perform Linear Interpolation and become familiar with the operation of this function. If your calculator does not contain the function, then you must program your calculator to do so.

After taking this class, students should be able to:

• Apply statistical analysis to data samples to calculate mean, standard deviation, etc. and to determine the accuracy, precision, and sensitivity of sensors and instruments.
• Apply statistical and error analyses to measured data to identify and remove outliers and predict uncertainties.
• Create histograms and probability density functions (PDFs) of data samples, demonstrate the ability to compare the results to standard PDFs such as the Gaussian and student’s t PDFs, and demonstrate the ability to predict probabilities based on the PDFs.
• Identify appropriate sensors and data acquisition equipment for collecting data to support test objectives.
• Predict, analyze, and test the performance of sensors of various kinds, including strain gages, thermocouples, displacement transducers, dynamometers, pressure gages and transducers, pressure probes, and flowmeters.
• Demonstrate understanding of limitations and pitfalls associated with various sensors and measurement techniques through proper experimental methods.
• Write appropriate procedures and conduct experiments that provide accurate data toward achieving test objectives.

Grading

Grades will be based on the following breakdown:

• Homework/Quiz 20%
• Exams 80%

Note: Exams and HW assignments will be shredded a week after they are graded.

Exams

1. Exams must be taken as scheduled.
2. Any absence not excused in advance will result in a zero for that exam.
3. A week after HW, quizzes, assignments, and exams are graded, they will be shredded.
4. No exams will be returned to students.
5. Students may come to the instructor’s office and go over their exams within a week after exams are graded.

Homework

Assigned homework will be due at the beginning of class. Note: 20 points out of 100 points of each HW assignment is for format. No Late Homework. You must complete the assignments to understand the material and prepare for the exams. Homework guidelines are as follows:

• Homework should be legible, professional in appearance, and use only one side of the paper.
• Your name, date, course title, and assignment number must appear at the top of each page.
• Include enough information so that you will be able to understand the problem, what is desired, the solution approach, and the answer, without relying on the textbook.
• Include a problem statement (what information is given and what is to be found)
• Include a sketch, picture of the process, etc., to help you visualize
• Show the equation and its number.
• Show ALL work – outline the solution approach that was taken. How you get your answer is often more important than if you get the correct answer.
• Answers must include units. It is a must to carry units throughout the problem.
• Identify the final answer (underline, put a box around, etc.)

Canvas will be used to record your scores from homework, projects, and exams.

Note: Exams and HW assignments will be shredded a week after the due date. I will not discuss grades when they are shredded.

Table 1. Tentative Schedule. (Draft)

Exams must be taken as scheduled.

Any absence not excused in advance will result in a zero for that exam.

Assigned homework will be due at the beginning of class. No Late Homework.

A student is responsible for attending the courses for which they are enrolled, and may only attend courses in which they are enrolled. Further, according to standards set by the Department of Education, the University is required to identify a starting date for each student for each of these courses. Students are also responsible for making up any work missed by failing to attend class, even if the absence was approved by the University (see ), necessitated by illness, or personal emergency. In this sense, then, there are no “excused” absences.

Expectations: (I) Read the Directions, (II) Draw Diagrams; (III) Solve the Problem Clearly; (IV) Clearly Mark your Answers; (V) Use Units; and (VI) Ask yourself: Is this answer reasonable?

Any use of AI will be considered cheating and will result in ZERO on the assignment. (Our university has a system to check AI reports.)

Safety: Projects may involve the use of lab equipment. Students are required to read and follow instructions for the use of equipment and to use the equipment safely to minimize the danger to themselves and others. Disregarding safety procedures will result in dismissal from the lab or project and you may receive a failing grade for the lab, project, or course at the instructor's discretion. If you are unsure as to how to operate equipment safely, talk to the instructor.

Student Responsibility: Attendance, good attitude, and class participation are all part of your grade. Please come prepared to class. Students will further be encouraged to read material from magazines and journals to obtain current information in their chosen field of engineering.

Cell Phone: No cell phones or any other communication devices in class. If you own such a device, you must turn it off during the duration of the class.

Pre-requisites: Elec Circuits/lab, Dynamics, Strength of Material/Lab, Thermodynamics.