Prerequisites (top)
Physics I (for scientists and engineers), Calculus II

Texts (top)

• "Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics", by Beer, and Johnston,  McGraw-Hill, 1996.

• equilibrium
• structural analysis, and
• geometric properties of structural members.

• 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.
• Finally, you will practice.  This will be done in two ways: working examples in class and for homework.

• Quizzes:  Quizzes are used to evaluate your preparation for class.  They occur before topics are covered in class and are based on knowledge gained from assigned readings. My goal is for students to carefully read assigned material.  Students should not skim over or spend inordinate time on the readings. To help students, I provide a Class Preparation Guide.  This guide identifies concepts, pictures, figures, and tables in the readings that I particularly want you to understand.  IMPORTANT NOTE:  When I design quizzes, I assume that each student has carefully read the assigned material once, and used the study guide to identify important items for further study.  Quizzes are given twice:  once to individuals, then to small groups of students.  This helps students learn all of the topics covered on a given quiz and provides an opportunity for discussion.  When taking a group quiz, make sure that each student in your group understands the questions and answers.
• 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 answers.  If you discover different answers, study each others work, then rework and discuss the problem until you agree on an answer (or agree to disagree). However, DO NOT COPY!. A Homework Guide is provided which must be followed.  Please email, phone or stop by my office if--upon reviewing the text book and class materials and discussing a problem with other students in the class--you are unable to complete a problem.
• Exams:  One semester exam and a final will be used to test your ability to independently solve problems.  These exams will be closed book and notes.  An equation sheet will be provided for study purposes and for use while taking each exam.

Turning in work, Attendance (top)
To get full credit, you must have the correct answer and show appropriate work.  Assignments are due by the beginning of the designated lecture period, unless otherwise indicated.  Late assignments can be turned in until solutions are posted, but will receive at least a 50 % grade reduction.  Some problems may require the use of spreadsheets, math solvers, computer models etc..  If you have ANY questions about a graded assignment, you must talk to me about it within a week of my return of the graded assignment to the class.  Please work together on assignments, but do not copy!  Again, compare your answers before turning in homework!  Attendance will be part of your laboratory grade.

Disabilities (top)
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 (top)
You are encouraged to work together on assignments.  However, copying is not acceptable.  Copied assignments will receive a zero grade. 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.

Professional Organization (top)
You are encouraged to join a professional organization.  If you join (show me your membership card) and attend three on campus meetings, I will allow you to drop your lowest non-zero quiz grade. You must get your professional organization to pass around a sign-up sheet; I must receive a copy.

Readings and Tentative Quiz and Test Schedule, Fall 1998 (top)
 

Reading or Exam Chapter 1:  Introduction (entire chapter) Chapter 2: Statics of Particles (sections 1-15) Chapter 3: Rigid Bodies, Equivalent Systems of Forces                     (sections 1-20) Chapter 4:  Equilibrium of Rigid Bodies (sections 1-9) Chapter 5:  Distributed Forces: Centroids and Centers of                     Gravity (sections 1-6,8,10-12) Exam on Chapters 1, 11, 15, 2 Chapter 6:  Analysis of Structures (sections 1-5,7,9-11) Chapter 7:  Forces in Beams and Cables (sections 1,3-5) Chapter 9:  Distributed Forces: Moments of Inertia                     (sections 1-7,11-15) Final (~Comprehensive)

Tentative Quiz and Test Dates No Quiz, material covered in class on September 8 Quiz on September 10 Quiz on September 15 Quiz on September 22 Quiz on September 29 Exam 1 on October 4 Quiz on October 6 No Quiz, material covered in class on October 11 Quiz on October 13 Final on October 20