ME 101 02: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering

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ME 101 - Introduction to Mechanical Engineering

2023 Fall Syllabus, Section 02, CRN 1928

Course Information

You are responsible for knowing this material, so please read carefully. Any changes will be announced in a Blackboard Announcement. You will be responsible for any changes. Your continued enrollment in this course is your implicit agreement to abide by the requirements of this class.

Times and Location

MW 1:25pm-3:15pm in UND Upson I, Rm 222

Instructor Information

Dustin McNally

Senior Lecturer, Assistant Dean for Student Success

Email: dustin.mcnally@und.edu

Office: Upson 2 160C

2023 Fall Office Hours:
Open Door Policy (Anytime).

Email is best method.

About the Professor

Mr. McNally is a graduate of UND, with degrees in Mechanical Engineering, International Studies, and Hydrogen Safety Engineering (Ulster University, Northern Ireland). He worked at the Energy & Environmental Research Center as a research engineer and project lead on a variety of topics including Hydrogen fuel production & explosions, development of aerospace high temperature materials, and mobile waste-to-energy biomass projects.  He has taught ME 101 and CAD Modeling at UND since 2006.

Course Description

This course encourages the development of visualization, technical communication, documentation, and fabrication skills including 3-D geometric modeling as applied to CADD applications using current methods and techniques commonly found in industry. Students will receive an introduction to engineering design and the analysis of a machine or system, including team problem solving. Approximately two-thirds of the course is classroom-based instruction and one third is laboratory (computer lab and/or shop) instruction and experimentation.

Course Materials

- Textbook: Required, as the course will directly follow the textbook lessons. ‘Applied Engineering Modeling using CREO Parametric 7’, Printed book ISBN: 9798218040376 (available from UND bookstore).

- CREO 7.0 software from PTC – can install for free on your own Windows PC (see guide in Blackboard) or can use the computer labs in the engineering buildings outside of class time. 

- Mouse with a middle scroll wheel (if using your own computer)

Technical Requirements/Assistance

This course will utilize special CAD software from PTC, which can only be run on Windows computers (or virtually through CITRIX). For assistance on using this program, or getting it setup, please contact the Instructor as a first point of contact.

If you are having other computer or Blackboard issues, please contact UND Technical Support at 701.777.2222. Visit the University Information Technologies (UIT) website for their hours, help documents and other resources.

Minimum Technical Skills Needed

In order to succeed in this course, at a minimum, you should be able to:

  • Navigate Blackboard as well as upload, download, and submit files
  • Be accustomed to operating an interactive software and be able to follow instruction on where to click, how to use menus, and understand troubleshooting techniques for computer operation.
  • Manage electronic documents and be able to save, name, and upload files to specific folders on your computer.

Course Logistics

Access and Log in Information

This course was developed and will be facilitated utilizing Blackboard. To get started with the course, please go to: http://blackboard.UND.edu and log in with your NDUS.Identifier, Username and Password. If you do not know your NDUS Identifier or have forgotten your password, please visit Your NDUS Account page on the UIT website.

Course Overview

The course follows the semester schedule with class days on Mondays and Wednesday, 1hr50minutes per day. Each day will cover a new lesson with new topics and tools discussed during short lectures, and the remainder of time used for completing the assignment for that day. Most days will start a new lesson and have a deliverable to turn in for grading by a set due date which is specified in Blackboard. As an engineering student, you will need to find time during the week to complete your homework and stay on track with the semester schedule. Nominally about 3 hours per credit hour per week are required to do well in college courses.   

For each lesson, students should complete any interactive modules that are assigned to be done before class starts, as well as have their assignment from the previous lesson completed so they are ready to continue on the next topic.

What Should Students Do First?

Prior to the start of the first class it is suggested to purchase and bring the textbook to class.

Class Attendance

This course is setup specifically for On-Campus students, and as such attendance is expected. Students are expected to attend or watch the lectures and complete each lesson by the due dates to remain active in the course. Students that fall behind need to catch up quickly, as the material accumulates rapidly and can become overwhelming for students. While points are not awarded for attendance and attending the lectures, doing so will promote a better understanding of the class materials. If for some reason you are unable to attend, you will need to watch the recorded lectures and complete that days lesson on your own time.

If you are instead looking for a completely online course experience, there is a separate online-only section of ME101 you can enroll in that will not have any required in-person class days.

Resources

Since this class mainly covers a unique software package, tutoring services are usually not available for assistance with this course. Students should reach out to the instructor with questions or request for assistance, and be sure to watch the Lecture videos. Aside from the software help from the instructor, there are many services are available to UND students such as writing assistance from the UND Writing Center. Visit the Student Resources page for more information.

Communication

Email is the preferred contact method for this class, and if you have questions please be descriptive – show a screenshot and detail which step you are working on and what they problem is. Usually the instructor will respond later that day or the next morning. For Mr. McNally specifically, if it has been longer than 24 hours it may have been overlooked and you should send a reminder.

Announcements will be posted in Blackboard on a regular basis. Be sure to check the class announcements regularly as they will contain important information about class assignments and other class matters.

Assessment Summary

This course is made up of a series daily Lessons designed to promote the class learning objectives/outcomes, as well as quizzes, a final exam, and two projects. All of the class assessments are detailed in Blackboard, with information, deliverables, and due dates listed.

Every class day (Monday and Wednesday) will have a new lesson, recorded video lectures, and assignments which will have a due date listed in under the assignment information in Blackboard. Typically, the due date will be one week from the class day it was assigned.

Late Policy

Late assignments will be worth 75% credit, if submitted after the due date. It is the instructor’s discretion whether to award any points at all for assignments submitted more than 2 weeks after the due date. If you feel you have a valid reason for submitting an assignment late, please contact your instructor.

Grading and Feedback

Grading and feedback will be provided under the My Grades area of Blackboard. The grader or instructor may put in comments on annotations on your submission, which you can read by clicking on the score for the assignment in the Grade Book. Some grades for group work may be adjusted for individual effort or lack of participation, as per instructor discretion.

Grading Breakdown

Final grades will be determined on a 10% scale. Points are listed in Blackboard for each assignment, and there may be some variation in the total points due to minor changes to some assignments. Weighting is not used in this course with the final grade determined from (# of points earned / Total points)

Estimate of point breakdown (subject to change).

Assignment                           Final Grade

  1. Quizzes                                                10%
  2. Assignments                                        35%
  3. Final Exam                                           10%
  4. Reverse Engineering Project              12%
  5. Final Project                                         33%

Total Points (estimate): 473

Final Grade Scale

> 90.00% A

80.00 to 89.99% B

70.00 to 79.99% C

60.00 to 69.99% D

< 60.00% F

Course Policies

Resolution of Problems

Should a problem occur, you should speak to your instructor first. If the problem continues to be unresolved, go to the department chair, and next to the college dean. Should the problem persist, you have the right to go to the provost next, and then to the president.

University of North Dakota Policies & Resources

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a serious matter, and any deviations from appropriate behavior will be dealt with strongly. At the discretion of the professor, situations of concern may be dealt with as a scholastic matter or a disciplinary matter.

As a scholastic matter, the professor has the discretion to determine appropriate penalties for the student’s workload or grade, but the situation may be resolved without involving many individuals. An alternative is to treat the situation as a disciplinary matter, which can result in suspension from the University, or have lesser penalties. Be aware that I view this as a very serious matter and will have little tolerance and/or sympathy for questionable practices. A student who attempts to obtain credit for work that is not their own (whether that be on a paper, quiz, homework assignment, exam, etc.) will likely receive a failing grade for that item of work, and at the professor’s discretion, may also receive a failing grade in the course. For more information read the Code of Student Life.

Access and Opportunity, Disability Support, & Medical Services

The University of North Dakota is committed to providing equal access to students with documented disabilities. To ensure access to this class and your program, please contact Disability Services for Students (DSS) to engage in a confidential discussion about accommodations for the classroom and clinical settings. Accommodations are not provided retroactively. Students are encouraged to register with DSS at the start of their program. More information can be obtained by email UND.dss@UND.edu or by phone at 701.777.2664.

COVID-19

UND is committed to maintaining a safe learning environment while providing quality learning experiences for our students. COVID-19’s continued presence within our UND community may necessitate changes in classroom management as the academic year progresses. As such, UND asks students and instructors to be flexible when necessary to promote a safe environment for learning. Please do not attend an in-person class or lab if you are feeling ill, particularly if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or if you have been directed by health professionals to quarantine or isolate. If you are not able to attend class or lab, please notify your instructor as soon as possible and discuss options for making up any missed work in order to ensure your ability to succeed in the course. If you will have an extended absence due to serious illness or other uncontrollable circumstances, you may request an absence notification through the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities. Similarly, if your instructor is ill they may need to cancel class or temporarily move your course to online delivery to ensure that you are able to complete the course successfully.  Instructors may require students to wear masks in the classroom or in the laboratory as a preventative measure designed to facilitate uninterrupted classroom engagement and to facilitate health and safety in the classroom.   If your instructor does require masks in class or in a laboratory, you are expected to comply with that request.

UND also strongly encourages all members of the University community, including students, to get vaccinated, seek out testing when needed, and model positive behavior both on- and off-campus to foster a healthy and safe learning environment for all students. Individuals who would like to discuss disability accommodations regarding masks should contact the Disability Services for Students (DSS) office at 701.777.2664 or UND.dss@UND.edu. Individuals who are unable to wear a mask due to a sincerely held religious belief should contact the UND Equal Opportunity and Title IX Office at 701.777.4171 or UND.EO.TitleIX@UND.edu.

Religious Accommodations

UND offers religious accommodations, which are reasonable changes in the academic environment that enable a student to practice or observe a sincerely held religious belief without undue hardship on the University. Examples include time for prayer or the ability to attend religious events or observe a religious holiday. To request an accommodation, complete the student religious accommodation request form. If you have any questions, you may contact the Equal Opportunity & Title IX Office.

Pregnancy Accommodations

Students who need assistance with academic adjustments related to pregnancy or childbirth may contact the Equal Opportunity & Title IX Office or Academic Affairs to learn about your options. Additional information and services may be found at Pregnancy Resources.

Notice of Nondiscrimination

It is the policy of the University of North Dakota that no person shall be discriminated against because of race, religion, age, color, gender, disability, national origin, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, veteran’s status, or political belief or affiliation and the equal opportunity and access to facilities shall be available to all. Concerns regarding Title IX, Title VI, Title VII, ADA, and Section 504 may be addressed to Donna Smith, Assistant Vice President for Equal Opportunity & Title IX and Title IX/ADA Coordinator, 102 Twamley Hall, 701.777.4171, UND.EO.TitleIX@UND.edu or the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Dept. of Education, 230 S. Dearborn St., 37th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604 or any other federal agency.

Reporting of Discrimination, Harassment, or Sexual Misconduct

If you or a friend has experienced sexual misconduct, such as sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking, please contact the Equal Opportunity & Title IX Office or UND’s Title IX Coordinator, Donna Smith, for assistance: 701.777.4171; donna.smith@UND.edu; or visit the Title IX webpage. You may also contact the Equal Opportunity & Title IX office if you or a friend has experienced discrimination or harassment based on a protected class, such as race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, pregnancy, marital or parental status, veteran's status, or political belief or affiliation.

Faculty Reporting Obligations Regarding Discrimination, Harassment, or Sexual Misconduct

It is important for students to understand that faculty are required to share with UND’s Title IX Coordinator any incidents of sexual misconduct or of discrimination or harassment based on a protected class that they become aware of, even if those incidents occurred in the past or are disclosed as part of a class assignment. This does not mean an investigation will occur if the student does not want that, but it does allow UND to provide resources to help the student continue to be successful at UND. If you have been impacted by discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct, you can find information about confidential support services on the Equal Opportunity & Title IX webpage..

UND Cares Program

How to Seek Help When in Distress

We know that while college is a wonderful time for most students, however, some students may struggle or have issues that arise. You may experience students in distress on campus, in your classroom, in your home, and within residence halls. Distressed students may initially seek assistance from faculty, staff members, their parents, and other students. In addition to the support we can provide to each other, there are also professional support services available to students through the Dean of Students and University Counseling Center. Both staffs are available to consult with you about getting help or providing a friend with the help that he or she may need. For more additional information, please visit the UND Cares Program Webpage.

How to Recognize When a Student is in Distress

The term “distressed” can mean any of the following:

  • Student has significant changes in eating, sleeping, grooming, spending, or other daily activities.
  • Student has cut off or minimized contact with family or friends.
  • Student has significant changes in performance or involvement in academics, sports, extracurricular, or social activities.
  • Student describes problems (missing class, not remembering, destructive behavior) that result from experiences with drinking or drugs.
  • Student is acting withdrawn, volatile, tearful, etc.
  • Student is acting out of character or different than usual.
  • Student is talking explicitly about hopelessness or suicide.
  • Student has difficulty concentrating or difficulty carrying on a normal conversation.
  • Student has excessive dependence on others for company or support.
  • Student reports feeling out of control of one’s emotions, thoughts, or behaviors.

Land Acknowledgement Statement

Today, the University of North Dakota rests on the ancestral lands of the Pembina and Red Lake Bands of Ojibwe and the Dakota Oyate - presently existing as composite parts of the Red Lake, Turtle Mountain, White Earth Bands, and the Dakota Tribes of Minnesota and North Dakota. We acknowledge the people who resided here for generations and recognize that the spirit of the Ojibwe and Oyate people permeate this land. As a university community, we will continue to build upon our relations with the First Nations of the State of North Dakota - the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation, Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Nation, Spirit Lake Nation, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians.

Additional Resources

It is my goal to foster an environment of mutual respect in which everyone feels comfortable voicing their opinions, sharing their stories, and learning about potentially heavy or personally relevant material. If, at any point, you feel like the information covered in this class elicits thoughts, feelings, or concerns that you would like to discuss further, don’t hesitate to reach out to me, or the UND Counseling Center (701-777-2127).

Further, if you experience extenuating circumstances, sexual violence, identity-based harm, or any other personal crisis during the semester, don’t hesitate to reach out to me so we can provide academic assistance and help you in this course, and put you in contact with the appropriate resources and services (if needed).