ENGR 8
Engineering Statics
Fall 2010  Grades

Instructor:  Tom Rebold   Phone:  645-1327                Office: BH-104A Office Hours: T/Th12:00 - 1:00PM (GC103)                        T/Th 3:30 - 4:30 (BH104)                        W5-6  (BH104)	Credit:  3 units Classroom: GC104       Time: TWThF 1-2 Tell me about yourself!
Class web site:  http://www.mpcfaculty.net/tom_rebold/ENGR8.htm Tom Rebold's faculty

Prereq/Coreq:     PHYS 3A (Pre-); MATH 20C (Co-)

Text:            Russell C. Hibbeler. "Engineering Mechanics - Statics," Prentice-Hall, 2007, 11th ed. 
                     ISBN: 0132215004

Misc:           We will be using Matlab  in this class. These will be made available for student use in the Math Lab and student versions are available online.   Matlab Overview   Matlab 3D Vectors.  You are highly encouraged to register for ENGR52.

Course description:

Students learn the principles of statics and their application to engineering problems. Topics include concentrated and distributed force systems and equilibrium conditions covering structures, machines, friction and methods of virtual work.

Learning Outcome:
   Students will be able to apply concepts of force, equilibrium and virtual work to the analysis of structures and machines.

Objectives: Students will be able to

1. Solve basic problems in structural mechanics.
2. Analyze trusses to solve for equilibrium forces.
3. Sum distributed forces into an equivalent concentrated force.
4. Find centroids and moments of inertia of composite and three-
   dimensional bodies.
5. Compute three-dimensional forces and torques.
6. Use the method of virtual work as an alternative to solving statics
   problems.

Topic Outline

Course Grading

You will be expected to complete fifteen regular assignments, 6 quizzes and a final exam.

The  total weights of different course activities:

15 Assignments                                                            20 %    
4 Tests                                                                         50 %   (4 given, lowest dropped)                  
Final Exam (100 pts)                                                   30 %

            A - 90%
            B - 80%
            C - 70%
            D - 60%

All assignments are due on Wednesday, start of class each week. Late homework receives 1 pt off per day. After Friday (2 days) the homework is worth 0 points.

Homework

Each week students can select from a menu of homework problems broken down into C level drill problems, B level guided problem solving, A level unassisted problems and A+ level challenge problems.  Assignments shall be completed on separate paper, preferably grid paper. In addition, points will be awarded or taken away as your work reflects or ignores the clear principles demonstrated in the example, including:

a) brief problem statement
b) neatly drawn picture
c) formulas used
d) math solution
e) underlined answers

These qualities are demonstrated in the following  Homework Example

Exams and Tests

Tests will cover just 2 chapters and therefore there is a limited number of possibilities in solving a given problem. Ultimately, the goal is to be able to look at a  problem covering any of the material covered and decide a  proper course of action in solving it. The final exam is therefore of a different nature than the tests.

Whereas tests are closed book, allow 1 sheet (2 sided) of notes, and focus on 1 or 2 chapters of the text,  the Final Exam is open book, covers the entire class, and provides an opportunity to assimilate and integrate the new and sometimes challenging concepts we discover each week, therefore,

EVERYONE MUST TAKE THE FINAL!

UNEXCUSED TEST ABSENCES

You must present medical evidence for failure to appear for a test. Otherwise you get zero for that test or lab. A total of four tests will be offered but only your best three test scores will affect your grade. This allows you to miss one test without suffering a penalty.

CHEATING

Occasionally I have caught students cheating. The standard policy is to give a grade of F for both participants and if deemed necessary make a visit to the Dean of Students with the cheaters. We have had very serious cases in which the students were dropped from the course and suspended from taking courses at MPC. This goes on your record and of course is not viewed favorably by other schools and employers who want and need to trust you.

DROPPING THE CLASS

 If you wish to drop the class go to the registration office and officially drop BEFORE the last drop date. Do not depend on me to drop you If you do not do an official drop then you will get a grade of F for the course. I am not allowed to give you a W after the last drop date.