The Higher Canadian Institute for Business
and Engineering Technology
Quality Assurance Unit
Course Specification
Course Name: Introduction to Mechatronics
Course Code: MET 411
I. Basic Course Information
Program(s) on which the course is given: Mechatronics Engineering
Department offering the course: Mechanical Engineering
Academic level: 4th level
Semester in which course is offered : Spring
Course pre-requisite(s): (MED 361) & (ELP 112)
Credit Hours: 3.0
Contact Hours Through:
Lecture
2.0
Tutorial*
1.0
Practical*
1.0
Total
4.0
Approval date of course specification: January 2015
II. Overall Aims of Course
- Introduction: basic definitions, key elements of mechatronics, the development of the
automobile as a mechatronic system. Design approach: historical development,
functions of mechatronic systems, and ways of integration, basic architecture and
hardware/software tradeoffs. System interfacing, instrumentation and control: input
signals of a mechatronic system, output signals of a mechatronic system, signal
conditioning, microprocessor control, software control, testing. Microprocessor based
controllers and microelectronics: introduction to microelectronics, digital logic,
microprocessors and microcontrollers, programmable logic controllers. Introduction to
micro - and nanotechnology: micro - actuators, micro - sensors, nano - machines.
Modelling of mechanical systems for mechatronic applications: descriptions of basic
mechanical model components, physical laws for model formulation, and energy
methods for mechanical system model formulation. Modelling and simulation for
MEMS: introduction to MEMS, analogue and mixed signal circuit development, basic
techniques and available tools for MEMS modelling and simulation.
III. Program ILOs covered by course
Program Intended Learning Outcomes (By Code)
Knowledge &
Intellectual Skills
Professional Skills
Understanding
K13 /K18
I4/I5
P2/P18
General
Skills
Gf
1
The Higher Canadian Institute for Business
and Engineering Technology
Quality Assurance Unit
Course Specification
IV. Intended Learning Outcomes of Course (ILOs)
a. Knowledge and Understanding
On completing the course, students should be able to:
k. 1 Principles of and concepts of : basic definitions, key elements of mechatronics,
the development of the automobile as a mechatronic system
k. 2 Providing information in Design approach: historical development, functions of
mechatronic systems, ways of integration, basic architecture and
hardware/software tradeoffs
b. Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
On completing the course, students should be able to:
i.1 Analyzing problems in microprocessor control, software control, testing.
Microprocessor based controllers and microelectronics
i.2 Assess and evaluate energy methods for mechanical system model formulation.
Modelling and simulation for MEMS
c. Practical/Professional Skills
On completing the course, students should be able to:
p.1 Understanding of Introduction to micro - and nanotechnology: micro actuators, micro - sensors, nano - machines
p.2 Operate machines.
p.3 Modelling of mechanical systems for mechatronic applications
d. General and Transferable Skills
On completing the course, students should be able to:
g.1 Effectively manage Modelling of mechanical systems for mechatronic
applications
V. Course Matrix Contents
Main Topics / Chapters
Duration
(Weeks)
Course ILOs Covered by Topic
(By ILO Code)
K&U
I.S.
P.S.
G.S.
- Introduction: basic definitions, key
elements of mechatronics, the
development of the automobile as a
mechatronic system. Design
1- approach: historical development,
functions of mechatronic systems,
ways of integration, basic
architecture and hardware/software
tradeoffs.
System interfacing, instrumentation
and control: input signals of a
mechatronic system, output signals
2- of a mechatronic system, signal
conditioning, microprocessor
control, software control, testing.
Microprocessorbased controllers
3
K.1/K.2
I.1/I.2
P.1
G.1
3
K.1/K.2
I.1/I.2
P.1
G.1
2
The Higher Canadian Institute for Business
and Engineering Technology
Quality Assurance Unit
Course Specification
and microelectronics: introduction
to microelectronics, digital logic,
microprocessors and
microcontrollers, programmable
logic controllers
. Introduction to micro - and
nanotechnology: micro - actuators,
micro - sensors, nano - machines.
Modeling of mechanical systems
3for mechatronic applications:
descriptions of basic mechanical
model components, physical laws
for model formulation,
energy methods for mechanical
system model formulation.
Modeling and simulation for
MEMS: introduction to MEMS,
4analog and mixed signal circuit
development, basic techniques and
available tools for MEMS modeling
and simulation.
Net Teaching Weeks
4
K.1/K.2
I.1/I.2
P.1
G.1
4
K.1/K.2
I.1/I.2
P.1
G.1
14
VI. Course Weekly Detailed Topics / hours / ILOs
Week
No.
1
2
3
Sub-Topics
Introduction: basic definitions, key
elements of mechatronics, the development
of the automobile as a mechatronic system.
Design approach: historical development,
functions of mechatronic systems, ways of
integration, basic architecture and
hardware/software tradeoffs
Introduction: basic definitions, key
elements of mechatronics, the development
of the automobile as a mechatronic system.
Design approach: historical development,
functions of mechatronic systems, ways of
integration, basic architecture and
hardware/software tradeoffs
Introduction: basic definitions, key
elements of mechatronics, the development
of the automobile as a mechatronic system.
Design approach: historical development,
functions of mechatronic systems, ways of
integration, basic architecture and
hardware/software tradeoffs
Total
Hours
Contact Hours
Theoretical
Practical
Hours
Hours*
2
2
4
2
2
4
2
2
3
The Higher Canadian Institute for Business
and Engineering Technology
Quality Assurance Unit
Course Specification
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
System interfacing, instrumentation and
control: input signals of a mechatronic
system, output signals of a mechatronic
system, signal conditioning, microprocessor
control, software control, testing.
4
Microprocessor based controllers and
microelectronics: introduction to
microelectronics, digital logic,
microprocessors and microcontrollers,
programmable logic controllers
System interfacing, instrumentation and
control: input signals of a mechatronic
system, output signals of a mechatronic
system, signal conditioning, microprocessor
control, software control, testing.
4
Microprocessor based controllers and
microelectronics: introduction to
microelectronics, digital logic,
microprocessors and microcontrollers,
programmable logic controllers
System interfacing, instrumentation and
control: input signals of a mechatronic
system, output signals of a mechatronic
system, signal conditioning, microprocessor
control, software control, testing.
4
Microprocessor based controllers and
microelectronics: introduction to
microelectronics, digital logic,
microprocessors and microcontrollers,
programmable logic controllers
Midterm Exam
Introduction to micro
4
Introduction to micro
4
Introduction to micro
4
Energy methods for mechanical system
model formulation. Modelling and
simulation for MEMS: introduction to
MEMS, analogue and mixed signal circuit
4
development, basic techniques and
available tools for MEMS modelling and
simulation.
Energy methods for mechanical system
model formulation. Modelling and
simulation for MEMS: introduction to
MEMS, analogue and mixed signal circuit
4
development, basic techniques and
available tools for MEMS modelling and
simulation.
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
4
The Higher Canadian Institute for Business
and Engineering Technology
Quality Assurance Unit
Course Specification
13
14
15
Energy methods for mechanical system
model formulation. Modelling and
simulation for MEMS: introduction to
MEMS, analogue and mixed signal circuit
4
development, basic techniques and
available tools for MEMS modelling and
simulation.
Energy methods for mechanical system
model formulation. Modelling and
simulation for MEMS: introduction to
MEMS, analogue and mixed signal circuit
4
development, basic techniques and
available tools for MEMS modelling and
simulation.
Final Exam
Total Teaching Hours
50
2
2
2
2
26
24
Teaching/Learning
Method
Lectures & Seminars
Tutorials
Computer lab Sessions
Practical lab Work
Reading Materials
Web-site Searches
Research & Reporting
Problem Solving /
Problem-based Learning
Projects
Independent Work
Group Work
Case Studies
Presentations
Simulation Analysis
Others (Specify):
Selected
Method
VII. Teaching and Learning Methods
1
1
Course ILOs Covered by Method (By ILO Code)
K.1/K.2
K.1/K.2
Intellectual
Skills
I.1/I.2
I.1/I.2
Professional
Skills
P.2
P.2
General
Skills
G.1
G.1
K.1/K.2
I.1/I.2
P.2
G.1
Assessment
Weight /
Percentage
Week
No.
K&U
Selected
Method
VIII. Assessment Methods, Schedule and Grade Distribution
Course ILOs Covered by Method
(By ILO Code)
Assessment
Method
K&U
I.S.
P.S.
G.S.
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
7
15
K.1/K.2
K.1/K.2
I.1/I.2
I.1
P.1
P.2
G.1
G.1
5
The Higher Canadian Institute for Business
and Engineering Technology
Quality Assurance Unit
Course Specification
Quizzes
Course Work
Report Writing
Case Study
Analysis
Oral
Presentations
Practical
Group Project
Individual
Project
K.1/K.2
I.1
P.2
G.1
Others (Specify):
IX. List of References

Essential Text Books
Course notes

Recommended books 
Periodicals, Web sites, 
etc …
R. Bishop < Mechatronic systems< sensors and actuators:
fundamentals and modeling < CRC Press, 2008
Lectures
X. Facilities required for teaching and learning
 White board
 Data show
Course coordinator: Dr. Ziad Ibrahim
Head of Department: Dr Mahmoud Mohamed
Date: January 2015
6