MCE366 SYSTEM DYNAMICS
Instructor:
SPRING 2010
Prof. William Palm, Office: Wales 210, Phone: 874-2531. (Email:
palm@egr.uri.edu) Best times to see me: before class: TR 10:00-10:45.
Course Web Page: http://www.mce.uri.edu/palm/mce366/mce366.htm
Required Text: "System Dynamics", SECOND Edition, by W. Palm, McGraw-Hill, 2010. This
text will also be required for the senior elective MCE431, so keep it if you plan to take
MCE431. Be sure to get the second edition.
Tests: All tests will be CLOSED NOTES and CLOSED BOOK. The test dates and their
weight* in the final average are as follows.
 TEST #1(30%): Tuesday, March 2
 TEST #2(30%): Thursday, April 8
 TEST #3 (Final Exam)(30%): Thursday, May 6, 11:30-2:30 PM.
 MAKE-UP TEST: One make-up test will be given on the reading day, Tuesday
May 4, from 9:00 to 10:15 AM for those who were excused from taking a test for
legitimate reasons. The material for this test will cover the entire course.
 The material for each test is cumulative, with emphasis given to the material covered
since the previous test. The test material includes the lectures, readings, problems, and
computer assignments.
 The purpose of a closed-book test is to test your understanding of the examples in
the book. At the test you will be given copies of the book’s tables and appropriate figures.
 The lectures cannot cover all the material in the assigned readings. Some of the test
questions will be based on material that is in the assigned readings but is not covered in
class.
 Absences from tests are allowed only for sickness or other serious reasons that
prevent you from getting to the test. You must get a message to the instructor (send an email
or leave a voicemail message at 874-2531, available 24/7!) as soon as possible, preferably
before the test. Leave a phone number where you can be reached.
Assignments: The only graded assignments will be projects, which account for 10% of the
grade. Practice problems from the text will be regularly posted but will not be collected or
graded. They are only for your practice to prepare for the exams. Solutions will be posted on
the course web page.
Due to the large number of students, only limited help will be available outside of class. So, if
you have questions, ask them in class where the entire class can benefit from the answer. If
you seek help outside of class, bring your lecture notes pertaining to your specific question, or
your attempted solution to the specific homework problem.
Attendance: Attendance is required. If you do not attend class, you lose your right to see the
instructor outside of class. In addition, announcements and handouts will be available only in
class. Inform the instructor about any extended illness.
Grading: Each test will be scaled according to the highest grade, not the mean grade.
Passing requires a 60% overall average and a 60% test average.

These percentages are relative weights only. Professional attitude, class conduct, and attendance will also
be factors in deciding the final letter grade.
Page 2
MCE366 SYSTEM DYNAMICS
SPRING 2010
SOME HINTS FOR SUCCESS IN MCE366
 If you don’t keep up regularly you will miss important insights developed in class.
Colleges throughout the country have always expected students to devote at least two
hours outside of class for every hour in class. For MCE366, which is a 3 credit course,
this means six hours per week outside of class.
 Bring the textbook to class so that you can refer to its figures, which might not be
drawn on the board.
 Before coming to class, read the textbook and look over the practice problems.
Then you can ask questions in class about anything you don’t understand.
 Read again the appropriate section of the textbook after class, and then do the
homework.
DATES TO NOTE:
March 22 to March 26: Spring Break
Thursday, April 29: last class for MCE366