Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Instrumentation and Measurements (Face-to-Face)

ME 4100-02

Course: ME 4100-02
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Engineering and Technology
CRN: 30793

Course Description

An introduction to various instruments used in engineering measurements and methods for obtaining quality experimental data. The course includes lectures where theoretical background and best practices are examined and utilizes hands-on experience with electronics and measurement equipment in a laboratory setting. Statistical analysis is used to analyze, manipulate, plot, and interpret acquired data. (Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Co-requisite(s): ME 4105 Prerequisite(s): EE 2250 and EE 2255 and ENGR 2140 and ENGR 2145 and ME 2030 and ME 3200 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: D- Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

None

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

  1.  Explain fundamental measurement concepts, including accuracy, precision, sensitivity, resolution, linearity, hysteresis, repeatability, and drift. 
  2.  Calibrate measurement instruments and develop calibration relationships from experimental data. 
  3.  Apply statistical methods to analyze repeated measurements and describe measurement variability. 
  4.  Identify sources of systematic and random error and calculate measurement uncertainty and uncertainty propagation. 
  5.  Analyze the static and dynamic response of measurement systems, including first- and second-order instruments. 
  6.  Explain the operating principles of common sensors used to measure temperature, pressure, force, strain, displacement, flow, and other engineering quantities. 
  7.  Design and analyze basic signal-conditioning circuits, including voltage dividers, Wheatstone bridges, filters, and amplification systems. 
  8.  Apply principles of analog-to-digital conversion, sampling, resolution, and the Nyquist sampling theorem. 
  9.  Select appropriate sensors, instruments, and data-acquisition methods for a given engineering measurement problem. 
  10.  Collect, process, graph, interpret, and communicate measurement data using appropriate computational tools. 
  11.  Design and conduct an experiment to answer an engineering question and evaluate the validity of the results.

Course Requirements

Students are expected to:

  •  Attend class regularly and participate in lectures, demonstrations, problem-solving activities, and in-class measurements. 
  •  Complete assigned readings, homework, quizzes, examinations, and measurement activities by the stated deadlines. 
  •  Show all equations, assumptions, units, calculations, and appropriate engineering reasoning in submitted work. 
  •  Collect, analyze, graph, and interpret experimental data using appropriate computational tools. 
  •  Complete calibration, statistical analysis, uncertainty, sensor, signal-conditioning, and data-acquisition assignments. 
  •  Use laboratory instruments and equipment properly and follow all safety procedures. 
  •  Maintain organized records of measurements, calculations, and observations. 
  •  Work responsibly and collaboratively during team activities while submitting individual work when required. 
  •  Follow university standards for academic integrity. 
Required materials: A scientific or engineering calculator, access to a computer and the university learning-management system, and appropriate data-analysis software. Additional instruments and laboratory equipment will be provided as needed

Course Outline

Week | Monday | Tues Lab | Wednesday  | Friday
1 | Aug 31 No Class  
Sept 1 None 
Sept 2 Intro to Measurement Chains & Error | 
Sept 4 Data reduction: Does It Pass the Smell Test?
Sept 7 Labor Day No Class 
Sept 8 Lab Introduction
Sept 9 Our Friend the Electron: What is an Electron and What Does It Know?
R 
Sept 11 One-eyed Man: Multimeter Functions, Voltage Divider
R
Sept 14 AC vs DC Voltages R 
Sept 15 Lab 1 DC Measurements & Multimeters
Sept 16 Sensor Presentation: RTD and Thermocouple 
Sept 18 Sensor Peresentation: Microphone
Sept 21 Two-eyed Man: How an Oscilloscope is Designed R 
Sept 22 Lab 1 DUE 
Sept 23 Sensor Presentation: Piezoelectric Sensors 
Sept 25 AWGs, Triggering & RMS Calculations, Mixed Signal Oscilloscopes (MSO)
Sept 28 Synthesis: How Would You Measure Wind?
(You will be graded on the quality of your idea)
Sept 29
Lab 2 Oscilloscope Operation, AWG Waveforms & Probe Compensation
Sept 30 2 Groups Present 
Oct 2 1 Group Present and Debrief
Oct 5 Microcontroller Architecture, Embedded Systems, Code Development 
Oct 6 Lab 2 DUE 
Oct 7 Embedded ADC, Loops R 
Oct 9 Mid-term
Oct 12 Resistance Based Sensors, Non-linearity, Calibration 
Oct 13 Lab 3 Microprocessors, Arduino Code Execution & Timing Jitter 
Oct 14 Sensor Presentation: Strain Gauge 
Oct 16 Operational Amps, Filters R
Oct 19 Fall Break No Class 
Oct 20 Fall BreakNo Class 
Oct 21 Filament and Thermal Inrush 
Oct 23 2 vs 4 Lead Sensing R
Oct 26 Sensor Presentation: Ultrasonic Flow Sensor
Oct 27 Lab 4 Halogen Inrush, RTD, Ice Bath
Lab 3 Due |
Oct 28 Pulse Conditioning, Rise Times R 
Oct 30 Sensor Presenetation: Eppley Radiometer
Nov 2 Data Analysis: Statiscally Relevant 
Nov 3 Lab 4 DUE 
Nov 4 Polling Loops vs Delay Statements R 
Nov 6 Interrupt Servie Routine (ISR) R
Nov 9 Time Domain vs Frequency and FFT 
Nov 10 Lab 5 Meter Flow Using Loops and Interrupts 
Nov 11 Microphones and Preamps, Ground Loops R 
Nov 13 Mid-term 2
Nov 16 Sensor Presentation: Heart Electrode R | Nov 17
Lab 5 DUE
Nov 18 Tube Resonances & Standing Waves Physics 
Nov 20 Time of Flight (ToF) Principles
Nov 23 No Class | No Class | No Class  | No Class
Nov 30 Speed of Sound Mechanics & Wave Reflection 
Dec 1 Lab 6 Electret Microphones, Frequency Spectra & Pico FFT Analysis 
Dec 2Ultrasonice Transducer Beam Angles & Limitations R 
Dec 4 Systematic (Bias) vs Random Uncertainty
Dec 7 Error Propagation in Multi-Sensors Systems 
Dec 8 Lab 7 Ultrasonic Time of Flight Ranging & Speed of Sound 
Dec 9 Trouble Shooting Instrumentation Systems
Dec 11 Final Review
 

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

Assignments are expected to be submitted by the posted deadline. Late assignments may be accepted for up to one week with a 10% deduction per day unless prior arrangements have been made. Makeup quizzes or exams will be permitted only for university-approved activities, illness, emergencies, or other extenuating circumstances. Whenever possible, students should contact the instructor before the deadline or scheduled exam. Students are responsible for arranging and completing approved makeup work promptly. Extensions may be granted at the instructor’s discretion.

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and active participation are important for success in this course. Students are responsible for all material, announcements, assignments, and schedule changes presented during class, whether or not they are present. If an absence is unavoidable, students should obtain missed notes and information from a classmate and contact the instructor with any remaining questions. Absences related to university-approved activities, illness, emergencies, or other extenuating circumstances will be accommodated when appropriate. Students should notify the instructor as early as possible.

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.

Religious / Conscience Belief Accommodation

RELIGIOUS / CONSCIENCE BELIEF ACCOMMODATION: In accordance with SUU Policy 6.7 Student Belief Accommodation, students may request, in writing, that their faculty accommodate their sincerely held religious or conscience beliefs. Students should provide their faculty with sufficient advanced notice, if possible within the first five (5) business days of the semester or session, or thereafter with good cause for requesting an accommodation after the first five (5) business days.

Faculty must provide a schedule accommodation or excuse an absence, in any course, for students to observe or participate in religious holidays or an organized activity conducted under the auspices of the student’s religious tradition or religious organization.

In courses that are required for graduation or for an academic major, a faculty member may accommodate a religious or conscience belief by modifying an assignment or examination if its content conflicts with the student’s belief. Faculty may decline the accommodation if it would fundamentally alter the course requirements. If declined, the student may request review by a neutral arbiter using the Belief Accommodation Request Form: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv&layout_id=5

Questions go to Assistant Provost Jake Johnson at johnsonj@suu.edu.

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.