FAQ for Mechanics Course Sequence
(Statics/Dynamics/Strength of Materials => Oakton
course numbers: ENG211/ENG212/ENG217)
Where can I find course descriptions?
http://www.oakton.edu/academics/academic_departments/engineering/
Who needs these courses?
These courses are normally required for mechanical, civil, industrial, general, aerospace, nuclear
and other related fields. They can count as electives for other engineering majors. Check with
your school.
Are the courses transferable?
In most cases, yes, but it depends on major and transfer institution. Check with your school to
be sure. The courses are designed to follow the same content and structure as courses taught at
the four-year institutions. The courses have been approved by the Engineering Panel Illinois
Articulation Initiative (IAI). Refer to the following URL:
http://itransfer.org/iai/majors/default.aspx?file=iai&section=students&t=Egr
Oakton’s engineering department chair is co-chair of the statewide engineering articulation
panel responsible for these approvals and our courses meet the highest standards.
Textbook info:
The main thing you need to know is that ENG211, 212 and 217 all require students purchase
access to MasteringEngineering (aka “Mastering”). The publisher bundles all of the textbooks
with and without Mastering. Oakton courses will require Mastering access. The ISBN number for
a book bundled with Mastering is different than an ISBN code for the book by itself. Also the
ISBN code for Mastering with the combined text (Statics and Dynamics) is different than that for
the individual books (Statics OR Dynamics) with Mastering. Mechanics of Materials has only one
version of the textbook (however it is bundled with and without Mastering and you need it
WITH).
In the summer and for standalone online sections, your instructor has configured the course for
separate edition Mastering access. Do NOT purchase combined access for the summer or for
standalone online sections . In the fall and spring, 001 (and parallel online sections of the same
course number) are set-up for combined access.
Ebook is an option for all of these with a savings of roughly 30%. However, with an ebook you
are leasing and not buying permanent access. If you are not sure about the ebook option, I
discourage you from trying it. All content is available in the ebook format. When you purchase
Mastering online (with a credit card at www.masteringengineering.com) you will be given the
ebook option.
As of 8/17/13, textbooks prices are:
Hibbeler, Engineering Mechanics: Statics, 13e (separate). $110 mastering and ebook, $60.50
mastering access only
Hibbeler, Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics, 13e (separate). $110 mastering and ebook, $60.50
mastering access only
Hibbeler, Engineering Mechanics: Statics & Dynamics, 13e (combined). $145 mastering and
ebook, $79.75 mastering access only (NOT AN OPTION FOR ALL SECTIONS. SEE NOTES ABOVE.)
Hibbeler, Mechanics of Materials, 9e (separate only). $110 mastering and ebook, $60.50
mastering access only
The cheapest option is to buy Mastering access only (with a credit card at
www.masteringengineering.com) and then purchase a used textbook online (one or two editions
earlier is OK). Anytime you buy online make sure you are clear on terms as I have seen students get
burned on getting the wrong package and on delivery time. Make sure you use the correct course ID #
on the syllabus. The course is created with a specific book and edition. For instance, you cannot use an
access code for combined edition when the course was created with the standalone edition. Similarly,
you cannot use an access code from a 12th edition for a course created with 13th edition.
Note: Summer goes twice as fast as fall or spring so get off to a good start and keep pace.
The pacing of online is same as live but delivery is different. Online depends on viewing video
solutions of problems, reviewing example problems and powerpoint postings. Both classes use
online homework delivery system at www.masteringengineering.com live class, obviously, has
live lecture and problem solving sessions to deliver content. Both classes do same homework
sets. Online relies more on email feedback from instructor.
If I take an online version of a course, where will I take exams?
EXAMS NEED TO BE TAKEN AT AUTHORIZED TESTING CENTER. Most students will take exams at
one of the two Oakton campuses. Campus maps can be found at:
http://www.oakton.edu/about/ourlocations/campus_maps/index.php. All other work
(homework and quizzes) can be completed online. If are physically not able to take the test at
Oakton, you will need to find an authorized site and pass on contact information to
rnash@oakton.edu for approval (you can also email for assistance finding a site). For instance,
UIUC students have been taking at Parkland CC. In some cases, international students have been
able to find accommodations overseas that we have approved.
Resources (Kotowski only):
I have video lectures (for most content) archived at
http://www.screencast.com/users/profkoto/folders/eng211
http://www.screencast.com/users/profkoto/folders/eng211_old
and
http://www.screencast.com/users/profkoto/folders/eng212 and
http://www.screencast.com/users/profkoto/folders/eng212_old.
However, you I do not guarantee all content is covered by a video lecture and you may have to
rely solely on textbook content (including sample problems) for guidance on certain kinds of
problems. Also third party coverage can be found on youtube.com, MIT Open Courseware and
other similar sources.
There are also publisher-provided video solutions posted in the "Study Area" (blue button within
Mastering, near top right) that are organized by chapter.
Homework (Kotowski only):
Each homework set has 1 point and 2 point problems, along with optional practice and extra
credit problems. The video lectures show me going through a problem similar to a 1 pt problem
which you will solve (possibly with a different set of numbers) and enter answers online.
Although covering the same principles, 2 point problems are meant to be different and will be
more on your own. Of course, questions are an email away. We typically have tutoring support
as well.
Oakton’s academic calendar is at:
http://www.oakton.edu/academics/acad_calendar/index.php
For an online course, what is the best means of contacting the instructor for questions and help?
FOR AN ONLINE CLASS, EMAIL IS THE PRIMARY MEANS OF COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR
INSTRUCTOR. Students can fax/scan work of problems they have questions on or describe
question in an email.
Also, contact information about live tutoring and testing center info can be found at:
http://www.oakton.edu/studentservices/learning_center/index.php.