SYLLABUS
1.
2.
3.
4.
Number and Name: 11:375:450 Applied Instrumentation and Control
Credits and Contact Hours: 4 Credits, 2-80 min. lecture periods and 1-180 min. laboratory
Instructor(s): Robert Miskewitz, PhD, Assistant Research Professor
Text: Measurement and Instrumentation in Engineering Principles and Basic Laboratory
Experiments, Francis S. Tse and Ivan E. Morse 1989, CRC Press.
5. Specific Course Information
 Catalog Description: Throughout their careers as professional engineers and scientists
students will be required to use measurements to identify and solve environmental
problems. It is important when utilizing measurements to understand how they were
collected to determine their applicability and limitations. Through this class students
will develop an understanding of how to conduct experiments involving the collection
field data and the various tools and techniques required to do so
 Pre-requisites: Two semesters of calculus
 Course Type: Required
6. Specific Instructional Outcomes: Students will be versed in field sampling protocols and
procedures, basic analysis of field measurements, and the concepts sampling and
instrumentation error. Student will design and use environmental sensors and their problem
solving skills will be enhanced through the completion of a term project during which they
will develop field sampling systems to collect environmental data and analyze and present
their measurement orally at the end of the semester.
7. Specific Student Outcomes addressed by the course include:
 Outcome a (apply knowledge of mathematics, science, engineering)
 Instructional Activity: Concepts of concepts of chemistry, mathematics
and physics as they apply to sensor function and data analysis will be
covered in lectures. Students will practice these skills by doing weekly
problem sets and by addressing a problem of their own design for their
term project.
 Assessment Activity: Application of math, science and engineering
knowledge will be assessed via homework problem sets (10% of
assessment) and two exams (50% of assessment)
 Outcome b (design and conduct experiments)
 Instructional Activity: This class includes 7 laboratories which will
involve development of a measurement strategy. These laboratories are
designed to teach the students to apply the concepts they learn in lectures
and observe outcomes first hand.
 Assessment Activity: Ability to design and conduct experiments, as well
as to analyze and interpret data will be assessed via laboratory reports
(15% of assessment).
 Outcome c (design a system component or process)
 Instructional Activity: Students will conduct a term project which involves
identification of an environmental measurement that they propose to
collect. They will be guided through the project with periodic milestones
that should be met to ensure progress.

 Assessment Activity: The ability to design a system, component, or
process to meet desired needs will be assessed via the term project (25%
of assessment).
Outcome g (communicate effectively)
 Instructional Activity: Students will be provided with a laboratory report
format that they will follow for all reports. Students will practice their
term project presentations in front of the class instructor prior to
presenting to their peers and faculty members.
 Assessment Activity: Effective communication will be assessed via
laboratory reports (15%) and the students’ term projects (25%).
8. Topics










Introduction to measurement systems, standards of measurement, experimental
planning and a review of basic circuits and electronic components (Weeks 1-2)
o Laboratory 1: Introduction to Oscilloscope and Multi-meter use for
resistance measurements
Signals (Weeks 3-4)
o Static and dynamic signal types and behavior
o Probability and statistics of measurements
o Sensor calibration and validation
o Error analysis and propagation
o Laboratory 2: Calibration and Error analysis of a resistance based
measurement.
Data acquisition (Week 5-6)
o Analog Devices
 Amplification
 Signal Filters
o Laboratory 3: Low and High Pass Filters
o Digital Devices
 Digital signals
o Analog to digital
Signal conditioning (Week 6)
Temperature Measurement (Week 7)
o Laboratory 4: Thermocouples
Pressure measurement (Week 8)
o Laboratory 5: Strain Gauges
Radiation measurements (Week 9)
Velocity measurements (Week 10 )
Flow rate measurements (Week 11)
o Laboratory 6: Flume Measurements
Water Quality Parameters (Week2 (12-14)
o Conductivity
o Salinity
o pH
o Dissolved Oxygen
o Laboratory 7: Water Quality Measurements
9.
Grading:
Homework
Exams
Laboratories
Final Project
10%
50%
15%
25%
Prepared by: Robert Miskewitz
04/6/12