FALL 2017 - UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, LAS VEGAS

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

MEG 421 Automatic Controls MW 10:00 to 11:15 a.m.   Room TBE-B 174

                                       Syllabus

Text: "Feedback Control of Dynamic Systems, Seventh Edition" by Franklin et al.       

Instructor: Georg F. Mauer  Office: TBE-B128     Phone 895-3830      E-mail: Georg.Mauer@unlv.edu

Office Hours: MW after class

Computer Use: We will use computers extensively throughout the lab and for homework. Please obtain an account on the college network. You will find that the software tools ( Matlab, Mathcad) are very useful for eliminating menial work, and for improving your understanding. The software tools are installed on the PC's in TBE-B-361 and the controls lab (TBE-B121). Learning the tools will require some time and effort from everyone. Be patient, and take enough time to practice. You may use other appropriate software instead of Matlab for homework assignments. Both software packages are functionally the same at the command level. Home users: A student version of Matlab is available at the bookstore. All handouts have been posted on the MEG web page at:

http://www.me.unlv.edu/Undergraduate/coursenotes/control/control.htm

All ME students must meet their faculty mentors at least once in each semester to avoid any hold in their registration. Please contact the department office for the name of your faculty mentor. When your faculty mentor is not available, you can contact the ME Department for  advice.

UNLV Policies

Academic Misconduct – “Academic integrity is a legitimate concern for every member of the campus community; all share in upholding the fundamental values of honesty, trust, respect, fairness, responsibility and professionalism. By choosing to join the UNLV community, students accept the expectations of the Academic Misconduct Policy and are encouraged when faced with choices to always take the ethical path. Students enrolling in UNLV assume the obligation to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with UNLV’s function as an educational institution.”

An example of academic misconduct is plagiarism: “Using the words or ideas of another, from the Internet or any source, without proper citation of the sources.” See the “Student Academic Misconduct Policy” (approved December 9, 2005) located at: http://studentlife.unlv.edu/judicial/misconductPolicy.html.

Copyright – The University requires all members of the University Community to familiarize themselves and to follow copyright and fair use requirements. You are individually and solely responsible for violations of copyright and fair use laws. The university will neither protect nor defend you nor assume any responsibility for employee or student violations of fair use laws. Violations of copyright laws could subject you to federal and state civil penalties and criminal liability, as well as disciplinary action under University policies. To familiarize yourself with copyright and fair use policies, you are encouraged to visit the following website: http://www.unlv.edu/committees/copyright/.

Disability Resource Center (DRC) –  It is important to know that over two-thirds of the students in the DRC reported that this syllabus statement, often read aloud by the faculty during class, directed them to the DRC office.

The Disability Resource Center (DRC) coordinates all academic accommodations for students with documented disabilities. The DRC is the official office to review and house disability documentation for students, and to provide them with an official Academic Accommodation Plan to present to the faculty if an accommodation is warranted. Faculty should not provide students accommodations without being in receipt of this plan.

UNLV complies with the provisions set forth in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, offering reasonable accommodations to qualified students with documented disabilities. If you have a documented disability that may require accommodations, you will need to contact the DRC for the coordination of services. The DRC is located in the Student Services Complex (SSC), Room 137, and the contact numbers are: Voice (702) 895-0866, TDD (702) 895-0652, fax (702) 895-0651. For additional information, please visit: http://studentlife.unlv.edu/disability/.

Religious Holidays Policy -- Any student missing class quizzes, examinations, or any other class or lab work because of observance of religious holidays shall be given an opportunity during that semester to make up missed work. The make-up will apply to the religious holiday absence only. It shall be the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor no later than the last day at late registration of his or her intention to participate in religious holidays which do not fall on state holidays or periods of class recess. This policy shall not apply in the event that administering the test or examination at an alternate time would impose an undue hardship on the instructor or the university which could not be avoided.   http://catalog.unlv.acalog.com/content.php?catoid=1&navoid=44&bc=1                    

Tutoring  -- The Academic Success Center (ASC) provides tutoring and academic assistance for all UNLV students taking UNLV courses.  Students are encouraged to stop by the ASC to learn more about subjects offered, tutoring times and other academic resources.  The ASC is located across from the Student Services Complex, #22 on the current UNLV map. Students may learn more about tutoring services by calling (702) 895-3177 or visiting the tutoring web site at:  http://academicsuccess.unlv.edu/tutoring/

UNLV Writing Center – One-on-one or small group assistance with writing is available free of charge to UNLV students at the Writing Center, located in CDC-3-301. Although walk-in consultations are sometimes available, students with appointments will receive priority assistance.

Appointments may be made in person or by calling 895-3908. The student’s Rebel ID Card, a copy of the assignment (if possible), and two copies of any writing to be reviewed are requested for the consultation. More information can be found at: http://writingcenter.unlv.edu/

Expected Learning Outcomes – With the completion of the course students will have acquired:

a. A fundamental knowledge of state-of-the-art and evolving areas associated with automated processes in mechanical engineering

b. The ability to solve open-ended design problems

c. An introductory knowledge of manufacturing and design methods

d. The ability to use computers in solving engineering problems

e. The ability to mathematically model and analyze engineering systems

f. Training in the oral and written presentation of technical information

Grading / Exams / Grade Posting – Final Grades will be posted on the Registrar's site at the end of the semester.

Missed Class(es) / Student – As a general rule, a student missing a class or laboratory assignment because of observance of a religious holiday shall have the opportunity to make up missed work. Students must notify the instructor of anticipated absences by the last day of late registration, August 28, 2009, to be assured of this opportunity.  Students who represent UNLV at any official extracurricular activity shall also have the opportunity to make up assignments, but the student must provide official written notification to the instructor no less than one week prior to the missed class(es).

Rebelmail – By policy, faculty and staff should only e-mail students’ Rebelmail accounts. Rebelmail is UNLV’s official e-mail system for students. It is one of the primary ways students receive official university communication. All UNLV students receive a Rebelmail account after admission to the university.  Non-admitted students should contact the Student Help Desk at (702) 895-0761