ME 201: Engineering Mechanics - Statics

“And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith” (D&C 88:118).

Description

Concepts of forces, moments, and other vector quantities; free body diagrams; particle and rigid body statics; trusses, frames and machines; friction; centroids and moments of inertia. Vector analysis used.

Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

FDMAT 112

Textbook

Hibbeler, R, 2012, Engineering Mechanics Statics [& Dyanamics], 13th ed., Prentice Hall, New York, NY. 

me201_image_Statics.jpg OR   me201_image_Statics and Dynamics.jpg

There are approximately 13 editions of this textbook. Any edition between the 5th and 12th edition will work.

Compare prices for your textbooks through the University Store Price Comparison site. 

Course Topics

Course Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate a working knowledge of units of measurement in both the English and SI systems.
  2. Gain a working knowledge of the use of vectors to represent geometric position, forces, and moments.
  3. Show an understanding of the use of free-body diagrams.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to formulate and solve problems of force and moment equilibrium.
  5. Demonstrate a working knowledge of centroids, centers of mass, and moments of inertia.
  6. Show ability to apply knowledge of equilibrium to problems involving trusses, frames and machines.
  7. Show ability to apply knowledge of equilibrium to problems involving friction.
  8. Demonstrate the ability to present solutions to engineering problems clearly and effectively.

Necessary Equipment

Engineering Pad

Calculator

Laptop Computer

The computer is used extensively in this class. Course materials, including preparation materials, practice problems, homework and mastery quizzes, are on I-Learn. Therefore, you need access to a reliable computer.

Course Structure

The structure of this course is competency-based. There are pacing incentives to keep you progressing while allowing you to return and improve upon previously completed assignments. The instructor and student mentors are available to answer questions. 

Competency Based Progress

There are nine basic units and three advanced units. Basic units contain Preparation, Practice, Homework, and Mastery Quizzes. Advanced Units consist of Homework and Mastery Quizzes. Students must achieve at least 50% on all learning activities in each basic unit before moving onto the next basic unit. Each learning activity allows multiple attempts. Students may improve their score on a given activity throughout the semester. A reward/penalty or "Pace Rate" is established relative to the unit’s due date. When the student achieves at least 50% on all the learning activities in the unit, the student’s raw score on a Maple T.A. assignment is multiplied by the Pace Rate (see table below) and the adjusted assignment score will be transferred to I-Learn. Grades on I-Learn are updated weekly.

 

Days Late 0 (on time) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10+
Pace Rate 110% 105% 100% 95% 90% 85% 80% 75% 70% 65% 60%

Learning Activities

Preparation

The preparation videos include both concepts from traditional lectures and example problems. Students view the Preparation video segments prior to attempting any practice or homework problems. The videos are split into short segments to make it easier to review key concepts. Most segments are between 1 and 5 minutes in length. A typical assignment will include 3–5 video segments. Preparation videos are designed to complement reading assignments and example problems from the textbook. The textbook provides additional explanations and examples beyond those available in the online material. Students should use the textbook as necessary to deepen their understanding of a given concept.

Practice

Practice problems give the student the opportunity to develop fundamental problem solving skills before tackling more challenging homework problems. Students are required to achieve at least 50% on the practice problems before taking the unit's Mastery Quiz. Practice problems may be repeated as many times as necessary, with new variations of the problems being generated each time. Only the highest score is recorded. Practice problem apps are also available as an additional resource, providing hints and answers to practice problems. Practice problem apps require that Mathematica (either the full package or player) be installed on the student’s computer.

Homework

Homework assignments are designed to deepen and extend the understanding of the concepts studied in the preparation videos and practice problems. Approximately 30% of the homework problems in the basic units and 70% of the problems in the advanced units are unique, for example, numeric values for key variables will be different for each student. Homework assignments adhere to the ME department’s homework standards. As students complete the homework in Maple T.A., they show their work on a piece of engineering paper. Student’s upload their homework organization to I-Learn. The submitted work is graded for organization and technical content. Students are required to achieve at least 50% on a Homework assignment before taking the Mastery Quiz for the unit. 

Mastery Quiz

Mastery Quizzes are taken at the completion of each basic and advanced unit. They typically consist of 5 analytical problems in multiple choice format. Mastery Quizzes are taken in Maple T.A. Students will be on their honor to follow the guidelines posted for the quiz. Students are required to achieve at least 50% on a Mastery Quiz in the basic units before being allowed to move onto the next unit. Mastery Quizzes may be repeated as many times as necessary, with new problems being generated each time. After the second attempt, students are required to contact the instructor to review problems missed before being allowed additional attempts. Only the highest score is recorded.

Final

A comprehensive final examination is given at the end of the semester. This final consists of 10 analytical problems in multiple choice format and 5 analytical problems in short numerical answer format (in other words, these 5 problems are not multiple choice). The final is given in a proctored environment via I-Learn. Please note that unlike the previous assessments, the final may NOT be repeated.

Recommended Weekly Schedule

Please remember that for all basic units, you must successfully complete all of the learning activities within that unit before you are allowed to move on to the next unit (this restriction does not apply to advanced units). Timely completion of each basic unit in accordance with published deadlines, allows you to achieve the maximum pace rate and have a positive effect on your overall grade. In contrast, completion of a basic unit after the published deadline will adversely affect your scores on the entire unit.

Class Policies and Grading Information

  1. Evaluation methods for this course will include practice problems (10%), homework exercises (15%), mastery quizzes (35%), final exam (35%), and miscellaneous (5%).
  2. Passing grades will be earned with the following minimum averages (based on adjusted averages per discussion above): A 93%, A- 90%, B+ 87%, B 83%, B- 80%, C+ 77%, C 73%, C- 70%, D+ 67%, D 63%, D- 60%. Letter grade definitions as defined in the BYU-Idaho Catalog are given below:
    • “A” represents outstanding understanding, application, and integration of subject material and extensive evidence of original thinking, skillful use of concepts, and ability to analyze and solve complex problems. Demonstrates diligent application of Learning Model principles, including initiative in serving other students.
    • “B” represents considerable/significant understanding, application, and incorporation of the material which would prepare a student to be successful in next level courses, graduate school, or employment. The student participates in the Learning Model as applied in the course.
    • “C” represents sufficient understanding of subject matter. The student demonstrates minimal initiative to be prepared for class. Sequenced courses could be attempted, but mastering new materials might prove challenging. The student participates only marginally in the Learning Model.
    • “D” represents poor performance and initiative to learn, understand, and apply course materials. Retaking a course or remediation may be necessary to prepare for additional instruction in this subject matter.
    • “F” represents failure in the course.
  3. One of the major goals at BYU-Idaho is to provide quality educational opportunities in a rich spiritual environment. To obtain this desired level of spiritual influence, students are expected to observe the University’s honor code—including honesty, integrity, and full compliance with the dress and grooming standards. Failure to observe the honor code will adversely affect the student’s grade. Copying another student’s assignment or giving a copy of your assignment to another student is in violation of the honor code.
  4. In compliance with applicable disability law, qualified students with a disability may be entitled to “reasonable accommodation.” It is the student’s responsibility to disclose to the teacher any special need he/she may have before the end of the first week of class.
  5. The information presented in the syllabus/assignment sheets represents a tentative schedule for this class. The instructor reserves the right to make changes, deletions, corrections, or additions during the course.

Walk in Lab and Tutoring

There is a mechanical engineering walk-in lab available to students that are on campus:

Room: AUS 009

Days: MTWThF

Time: 5:45-7:45 p.m.

*Closes 7 p.m. on Mondays

Contact: Jonah Nelson

nel13031@byui.edu

You can also request an online tutor by following the directions on the Online Tutoring Options web page.