The University of Manitoba
Department of Biosystems Engineering
Course Number
BIOE 3270
Course Title
Instrumentation and Measurement for Biosystems
Academic Session
Winter 2013
Credit Hours 4
Prerequisites and how they apply to this course
MATH 2132 provides students with an introduction to analysis of differential equations. BIOE 3270 exploits
this knowledge in solving problems that involve first and second order differential equations.
ENG 1450 (Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering) provides students with the basic knowledge of
electrical components, circuits and measurement of parameters involved in electrical engineering. BIOE 3270
builds upon this knowledge and delves into design and analysis of complex circuits.
Classroom Location
Meeting Days and Class Hours
E2-165 EITC
Tue/Thu
Lab Location
Lab Hours
A215 AEB (Agricultural Engineering Building)
Mon 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Tue
11:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Tue
2:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Department Office location
Department Phone Number
E2-376 EITC
474-6033
10:00-11:15 AM
Course Web Page (if applicable)
Instructor Information
Name & Title
Office Location
Office Phone Number
Email Address
Office Hours
Dr. Jitendra Paliwal, P.Eng. (Associate Professor)
E1-342 EITC
474-8429
J_Paliwal@UManitoba.Ca
By appointment
Teaching Assistant(s) (if applicable)
Sandeep Thakur
TA Office Hours and Location
TBA
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Course Philosophy
Students’ Learning Responsibilities
We expect you to be in attendance, and on time, for all scheduled lectures and labs. If you must be absent,
please show the courtesy of sending an e-mail notifying me of your absence. To benefit the most from this class,
you must be willing to participate in class discussions. Deadlines are a reality in the world of engineering; I
expect assignments to be completed on time. Finally, please respect the instructor and your classmates by
turning off your cell phone during class time. Laptops may be used during lectures only if you are taking notes
on the laptop.
Why this course is useful?
As an engineer, you would soon be working on measurement of one or more physical quantities such as
temperature, pressure, stress, etc. This course aims to develop the student’s skills in basic measurement
techniques by teaching the principles behind these techniques and instrumentation involved. The laboratory
exercises reinforce this knowledge by teaching hands-on skills. This course will help you learn these
fundamental engineering skills.
Who should take this course?
This is a required course in the Biosystems Engineering program.
How this course fits into the curriculum
It is intended that students take this course during the third year of the program. As mentioned above, this
course introduces the student to several fundamental engineering skills that are very important when conducting
experimental work. The skills obtained in this course will come in handy when doing the undergraduate thesis
and doing on-site measurements in the industry (upon graduation or during co-op).
Course Description/Objectives
Undergraduate Calendar Description
Basic instrumentation for measuring electrical and non-electrical quantities associated with biosystems
engineering and industry; transducers for automatic control.
Instructional Methods
Learning is most effective when students spend more time understanding the material taught in the class and not
worry about writing down every word the instructor utters. To facilitate this, Dr. Paliwal teaches all the material
on a TabletPC, and at the end of the lecture, posts it as a PDF on the course website. Students are free to make
their own notes during the class but there is no mad rush to write everything down. Handouts will be given to
students for certain topics.
Course Objectives
The intent of this course is to:
- introduce students to the basic theory and instrumentation involved in measurement of physical
quantities
- provide students with an opportunity to use lab instruments to measure some of the physical quantities
- provide students with an opportunity to collaborate equitably with group members in a team setting to
acquire hands-on skills of using lab instrumentation
- provide students with opportunities to effectively communicate experimental procedures, data and
results
Learning outcomes
At the conclusion of the course, the student should be able to:
- Understand the theory and principles involved in measurement of physical quantities such as
o Electricity, temperature, stress/strain, pressure, humidity, and flow
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Gather hands-on experience in using instruments such as
o Oscilloscope, signal generator, multi-meter, thermocouples, thermistors, pressure
transducers
Collaborate equitably with group members in a team setting to manage lab exercises
o Set up experiments with proper instrumentation, take down experimental readings, analyze
data
Communicate the results of lab exercises
o Implement effective writing techniques to prepare a written lab report
Grade Evaluation
The basis of the final grade is agreed upon with the students at the beginning of the term. The usual weighting is:
One written term test (February 14, 2013) ...............................................................................................20%
Pop quizzes .................................................................................................................................................5%
Laboratory reports ....................................................................................................................................15%
Problem assignments ................................................................................................................................10%
Project .........................................................................................................................................................5%
Final Exam ................................................................................................................................................45%
All assignments need to be submitted on the deadline by 4:30 PM. Late submissions will not be accepted. If you
miss the mid-term exam, the marks for it will be rolled over to the final (there will be no ‘make-up’ mid-term).
Pop quizzes will be handed out without any prior announcement. All but one quiz will count towards the final
grade (meaning you can afford to miss one quiz).
Important Dates
Voluntary withdrawal date
Midterm examination
Oral Presentation (project)
March 20, 2013
February 14, 2013
April 2 & 4, 2013
Description of Assignments
There will be 3 to 4 assignments handed out through the term. The assignment problems deal with circuit design
and numerical calculations associated with the measurement of different physical quantities. A lot of other
numerical examples will be done in the class during the lectures. Students will also be required to do a small
project related to a measurement device, consumer electronic gadget, or a scientific technique and analyze its
underlying principle and applications (More information will be provided on this during lectures). You will be
required to present your project as a short 5-minute presentation and a 1.5 to 2-page report.
Description of Examinations
The exams (mid-term and final) will deal with problems (theoretical and numerical) that would be discussed
throughout the term in lectures and assignments.
Texts, Readings, Materials
1. Henry, Z.A., G.C. Zoerb, and G.S. Birth (eds). 1991. Instrumentation and Measurement for
Environmental Sciences, Third Edition. ASAE, St. Joseph, MI.
2. Beckworth, T.G., N.L. Buck and R.D. Marangoni. 1982. Mechanical measurements. Addison-Wesley
Publ. Co., Don Mills, ON.
3. Doebelin, E.O. 1983. Measurement systems: Application and design. McGraw Hill.
4. Diefenderfer, A.J. 1979. Principles of electronic instrumentation. W.B. Saunders Co., Toronto.
5. Figliola, R.S., and Beasley, D.E. 1995. Theory and Design for Mechanical Measurements. John Wiley &
Sons, Inc., New York, NY.
6. Stout, M.B. 1960. Basic electrical measurements. Prentice-Hall Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ.
7. Smith, R.J. 1980. Electronic circuits and devices. John Wiley & Sons.
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Additional Materials
Supplied by the instructor.
Course Policies
Academic Integrity
Plagiarism or any other form of cheating in examinations, term tests or academic work is subject to serious
academic penalty. Cheating in examinations or tests may take the form of copying from another student or
bringing unauthorized materials into the exam room. Exam cheating can also include exam impersonation. A
student found guilty of contributing to cheating in examinations or term assignments is also subject to serious
academic penalty. Students should acquaint themselves with the University’s policy on plagiarism, cheating,
exam impersonation and duplicate submission.
Use of Third Party Detection and Submission Tools
Electronic detection tools may be used to screen assignments in cases of suspected plagiarism.
Group Work Policies:
You will be required to work in teams to complete some of the lab assignments for this course. Some of the lab
reports will have to be submitted individually and some as a single group report. For individual submissions, you
are required to formulate your own report even if the data was collected as a group.
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Course Content
Introduction
1.1 Importance and application of instrumentation in Biosystems Engineering research and
development.
Electricity
2.1 Review of electrical circuits
2.2 Bio-electricity
2.2 Δ-Y and Y-Δ transformations
2.3 Wheatstone Bridge
2.4 Operational Amplifiers applications
Dynamic Characteristics of First and Second Order Instruments
Basic Concepts and Definition of Terms
4.1 Errors, accuracy, precision, sensitivity, etc.
Error Analysis
Temperature Measurements
Strain Measurements
7.1 Strain gages for strain measurement: calibration, errors, and circuits
7.2 Strain gages as transducers: force, torque, and pressure
Pressure and Vacuum Measurements
Fluid Flow Measurements
Moisture and Humidity
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