ENGR 104: Intro to Engineering Lab
Instructors:
Dr. Binh Q. Tran
Dr. Otto Wilson, Jr
Course Description/Objectives
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Description: In this class, students will apply
mathematics and science principles to engineering
problems.
Objectives: Provide students with
 ability to understand and apply the fundamentals of
mathematics and engineering;
 ability to make measurements on, and interpret data from
systems;
 ability to work in teams to identify, formulate and solve
engineering problems and challenges;
 ability to communicate effectively, in oral and written form;
and
 ability to use modern engineering other tools for
engineering practice.
Grading Policy
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Homeworks
Labs* (4)
Quizzes (2)
Participation
10%
60% (15% each)
20% (10% each)
10%
Note: *ALL labs must be submitted to receive a passing grade.
Syllabus Schedule
Week
Date
Description
Notes
1
8/31
2
9/07
Introduction to Course, Technical Writing &
Other Tools
Lab 1: The Beat Goes On-A 24-hour Study of
Heart Rate Variability
3
9/14
Lab 1 (cont.)
4
9/21
Lab 2: Braveheart: "I am William Wallace!"
Introduction to Projectile Motion
5
9/28
Lab 2 (cont.)
Flight Data Collection-Field Work
6
10/5
Lab 2 (cont.)
Flight Testing/Validation-Field Work
7
10/12
Quiz 1; Make up Session
Open; Note: Monday (10/12) is
Presidents Day; make-up: TBD
8
10/19
Introduction to Sensors & Actuators
9
10/26
Lab 3: Electronic Measurements
Introduction to Sensors & Actuators
Lab 3 (cont)
10
11/2
Lab 3 (cont)
11
11/09
12
11/16
Lab 4: Different Strokes for Different
Strokes-Golf Analysis
Lab 4 (cont.)
Labview & Data Acquisition
13
11/23
Lab 4 (cont.)
Putting Green-Field work
14
11/30
Quiz 2; Make-up Session
Makeup
15
12/7
Open
Open
16
12/14
Final Exam Period
NO CLASS! We will be finished!
Introduction to Statistics & Matlab
Note: Monday (9/7) is Labor Day;
make-up session TBD
Introduction to Data Analysis and
Presentation
Intro to Labview & Data Acquisition
Introduction to Technical Writing
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What is is.
 Technical writing is a style of writing for specialized
areas of science and technology.
 Usually deals with objects, processes, systems or
abstract ideas
 Tone is objective… accuracy of information is
important, not style
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Goal: The goal of technical writing is to
transmit technical information accurately and
concisely.
Types of Technical Writing.
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Proposals-Plan offered for acceptance or rejection.
– Business plans, grant proposals, feasibility reports.
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Technical specifications-Description of work to be
done intended to record the needs and requirements of
a design or system and the process of evaluation.
Technical articles, papers, abstracts, and reportsMedium through which engineers and scientists report
about their work.
– Abstracts: Short statement about the contents of a report,
paper, or other document, usually 150-200 words or less. The
abstract introduces the subject matter, tells what was done,
presents selected results, and draws conclusions/makes
recommendations.
Types of Technical Writing
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Technical articles, papers, abstracts, and reports
– Reports and Articles: Documents conveying results of
research, field work, and other scientific activities.
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Letters, memos, and EMAIL-Routine correspondence.
 Address letters and memos to specific person and give title
whenever possible.
 Keep letters and memos brief.
 End your correspondence by telling the reader what happens
next.
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Manuals and documentation-Technical writing
products that accompany systems produced by
companies and giving instructions for use.
Outline-Course Lab Reports
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Title of project
Author names- Provide first, middle initial, and last
names for each author.
Abstract-150-200 words or less summarizing the entire
contents of your work.
Introduction-Describes purpose of the work,
background, theory and explains why work was done.
 Presents the nature and scope of the investigated problem.
 Puts into perspective the importance of the work as it relates to
scientific/engineering knowledge.
 Discuss findings from previous research and other pertinent
literature.
Outline-Course Lab Reports (cont)
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Methods-Contains the detailed theory behind the work,
outlines the equipment, apparatus, and procedures
used to conduct the work with sufficient detail so that
other researchers can duplicate the work if necessary.
Results-Presents experimental data, results, and
observations, with brief discussion of unusual data.
Discussion and Conclusions-Presents discussion of
data and how they compare with results achieved by
theoretical computations/expectations, other
researchers, etc. Draws conclusions from the
experimental work.
Good Technical Writing Guidelines:
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Be Technical Acccurate
Be Useful
Be Concise
Be Complete
Be Clear-Use Visuals when appropriate
Be Consistent
Be Careful
Visuals and What They Say
Visual
What It Shows
Photograph or drawing
What something looks like
Map
Where it is located
Diagram
How it is put together
Flow chart/block diagram
How it works
Graph
How one variable changes in
relation to another
Pie Chart
Proportions or percetnages
Bar Chart
Comparisons among quantities
Table
Body of Data
Structured diagram
Components of a system and
how they interrelate
Tools of the Trade
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Word
Processing
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Spreadsheets
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Presentation