Goals
Upon completion of the course, civil engineering students will be able to:
Interpret Engineering Drawings
Sketch Engineering Drawings
Use AutoCAD at an introductory level or higher
Learning Activities
Learning activities help students meet the course goals. The learning activities are preparation, listening and discussing, and practice.
- By preparation, I mean reading technical information before class, primarily by reading assigned material. This activity provides students with three benefits. First, students arrive in class with some introduction to the material they are expected to learn. Second, assigned readings often cover course topics with greater breadth and depth than can be covered in class. Thus, student learn more. Finally, learning how to effectively read technical information takes practice, just like learning how to play a sport or musical instrument. Many of the students taking this class will spend their careers creating and/or reading technical information. By "struggling" through difficult readings in college, students are better prepared for work.
- You will listen to some lecture, as this is an effective way to transmit information; however, you are also expected to discuss material with the instructor and fellow students in class.
- Finally, you will practice. This will be done by working on assignments in and out of class.
Evaluation Activities
The evaluation activities used in this class are linked to the learning activities.
- Assigned Problems: Assigned problems are used to evaluate all of the learning activities. Specifically, they help me evaluate your ability to define and solve problems. Your work must be your own; however, I encourage students to compare results. If you discover different answers, discus and rework. However, DO NOT COPY!. Use the Policy link to review my homework policies. Please email, phone or stop by my office if--upon reviewing course materials, notes and/or discussing with other students in the class--you are unable to complete a problem.
- Oral Examination - Each student will meet with me for ten minutes during the last two lab sessions and answer questions..
- Exams: Two semester exams will be used to test your ability to independently solve problems. These exams will be open notes.
Grading (graphics portion of course)
Grades in the course will be based on the ten point scale (90-100 = A, 80-89 = B, etc.). Depending upon class performance, the scale may be adjusted down, e.g., an 89 might be an A. This will be done at the end of the semester. Points will be awarded according to the following percentages: It is possible to change this distribution, with agreement of all students in the class and myself.
- Professionalism - 5 %
- Assignments - 45 %
- Written Examination - 25 %
- Oral Examination - 25 %
I will drop your lowest assignment (except assignment 1) and will let you miss one lab without an excuse. Your grade in each category is calculated by dividing the points earned by the total possible points (taking into account the dropped assignment and missed lab) and multiplying that fraction by the percentage assigned to the category. For example, a student obtaining 126 professionalism points out of a total possible professionalism score of 140 will obtain 4.5 points towards their overall grade [(126/140) x 5]. Professionalism is primarily associated with showing the proper respect for the professor and your classmates. Each student receives five points for each class lecture. Arriving late, leaving during class, talking when the professor or other students "have the floor", or other disruptive activities will result in a point deduction. Each student receives 10 points for each class lab. Leaving during class, talking when the professor or other students "have the floor", using computers for non-class activities, or other disruptive activities will result in a point deduction. Arriving late can cost up to 10 points (e.g., 1 point for beinge late at all, 10 points for missing the entire class).
Disabilities
Any student in this course who has a disability that may prevent him or her from fully demonstrating his or her abilities should contact me personally as soon as possible so that we can discuss accommodations necessary to ensure full participation and facilitate your educational opportunity.
Academic Misconduct
You are encouraged to work together on assignments. However, copying is not acceptable. Copied assignments will receive a zero grade (both original and copies). Cheating on a test will cause the student to receive a zero grade, at a minimum. If you are to miss an assignment due date, exam, quiz, field trip, or laboratory session you must have a valid excuse and notify me prior to the event (except in case of emergency).
Policies
See my Student Resource page. |
