MAE 2102 Engineering Dynamics - Winterim, 2006-2007
Independent Study
Instructor: Robert G. Gist
Office and Hours: ENGR 244, by appt.
UCCS e-mail: rgist@uccs.edu
Cell Phone: 719-321-7985
Fax Number: 719-888-1300 (combined voice/fax)
Mail Address: 1420 Austin Bluffs Pkwy, Colorado Springs, CO USA 80918
Web Address: http://www.uccs.edu/~rgist
Text: Engineering Mechanics: Statics & Dynamics, 10th Ed., by R. C. Hibbeler
http://wps.prenhall.com/esm_hibbeler_engmech_10/1,8157,952419,.html
Prerequisites: It is assumed that the student has a good understanding of the principles of
differential and integral calculus and previous academic experience with the physics of motion
and Newton’s Laws. Further, it is expected that the student is familiar with drawing free-body
diagrams and calculating external forces due to physical contact, springs, gravity and friction.
These topics have been covered in the UCCS courses of Math 135 (Calculus I) and PES 111
(General Physics I).
Course Structure: This course will be conducted as an independent study. This means that there
is no specific timeline for completion of the three units of study in the course. However, since
the available course duration is limited, a suggested timeline is provided below for preparing for
and taking each unit exam. The course is broken into these three units: (a) kinetics and
kinematics of particles, (b) planar kinetics and kinematics of rigid bodies, and (c) general kinetics
and kinematics of rigid bodies. Student progress in each unit will be evaluated separately.
Communication: For an independent study course like this one, it is vital that the student and I
maintain communication on their progress. Means of getting in touch with me are at the top of
the page. An extensive message is not required; just a status message will be good when you feel
you’ve completed a chapter. Please do ask questions as they arise. It’s better to address
questions early so you don’t stumble on similar topics as they occur later in the course.
Practice Problems: To prepare for the exams, I have selected several practice problems from the
text and provided solutions for them on the class website. It is suggested that the students work
through the practice set, and refer to the solutions only if they get stuck. It is permissible to work
with a group on practice problems.
Key Problems: Certain key problems will be provided via the website or email that will
demonstrate the student’s preparedness in each topic to be covered on the next exam. Each
student must complete the key problems in the unit and they must be returned to me prior to my
providing the unit exam to the student. The problems should be based on individual effort and
must be in each student’s own handwriting. The key problems can be turned in to my office or
they can be mailed, emailed or faxed to me. It is the student’s responsibility to inform when and
how they have turned in the key problems. Upon the student’s demonstration of competency on
the key problems, the exam for that unit will be provided.
Exams: An individual exam will be prepared for each student for each unit. There is no time
limit, and the student may make use of whatever calculators, books, or notes at their disposal.
However, complete solutions must be provided in each student’s handwriting and they must
include sufficient detail to show understanding of the solution.
R. Gist
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Revised: 12/26/2006
MAE 2102 Engineering Dynamics - Winterim, 2006-2007
Independent Study
Organization: Engineering work should be clear and easy to follow. Exam solutions should be
organized, and answers should be clearly marked (circled, boxed, or underlined, for example.) It
is recommended that each problem contain: (a) a brief description, (b) necessary diagrams, (c)
given values, (d) values to be found, (e) equations used, (f) solution steps, and (g) answer(s) with
units.
Units: Keeping track and showing units (where they exist) is a critical aspect of computing and
reporting engineering results. For all exams, deductions will be taken for missing or incorrect
units in the final answers.
Calculators: Calculators are a part of the modern engineer’s tool set and may be used in
completing exams; however, enough intermediate steps must be shown on the exam to convince
me that you understand how to solve the problem.
Evaluation: There will be three exams given during the independent study period to evaluate
progress through the course. The exams will be averaged together for your overall grade.
Syllabus*
This is a suggested timeline to cover the course material in the nominal course duration
Target
Dates
Dec 26 to
Jan 2
Jan 3 to
Jan 9
Jan 10 to
Jan 16
Unit
Chapter
Kinetics &
Kinematics
of Particles
12
13
14
15
Planar
Kinetics &
Kinematics
of Rigid
Bodies
General
Kinetics &
Kinematics
of Rigid
Bodies
16
17
18
19
20
21
Topic
Kinematics
Kinetics (Force & Acceleration)
Kinetics (Work & Energy)
Kinetics (Impulse & Momentum)
Exam #1
Kinematics
Kinetics (Force & Acceleration)
Kinetics (Work & Energy)
Kinetics (Impulse & Momentum)
Exam 2
Kinematics
Kinetics
Exam 3
* Subject to change; see website
R. Gist
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Revised: 12/26/2006