 |
Teaching
and Classes |
Mechanical Engineering Laboratory
Aim of the course
The aim of the MAE171b laboratory
course is to propose a research topic and formulate a project in either
fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, structural mechanics or control systems.
This lab course is an extension and more detailed design and experimental
analysis of the experimental work conducted in the laboratory course of
MAE171a and is intended to promote research interaction
between faculty and undergraduate students at a senior level. In addition,
this course requires students to work in coordinated group, organize their
research work, give coherent presentations and finalize their project with
a well-documented laboratory report.
Course organisation
The lab course is organized
in such a way, that 9 weeks of design and experiments can be conducted
within a chosen project. During those 9 weeks, a group of 4 students will
work on the design and analysis of a specific experiment. The course staff
consists of course advisors, project advisors and course TA's. There are
weekly meetings with course advisors (faculty) to evaluate progress on
project, discuss individual participant activities, group coordination,
and delegation of responsibilities. The course advisors will be responsible
for grading the performance of the student group. The resident technical
staff will assist the students in the use of design and shop construction
facilities. A small budget for materials ($100) for each of the student
groups is available to purchase material for the project.
Additionally, there is day
to day interactions with project advisors and course TAs to deals with
specifics of the particular project. Additional support provided by: Christopher
Cassidy for design and installation of in laboratory equipment, machining
queries, parts and supplies ordering, and Thomas Phillips for general laboratory
facilities and certain technical experimental queries that include electronics.
More information
Prof. de Callafon has advised
more than a dozen control related projects over the last years. The website
for MAE171b (formally AMES171b) for the years
2000,
2001,
2002,
and 2003
was maintained by Prof. de Callafon and contains most of the information
on the various projects that have been proposed and completed during this
class. For more information on (and kewl pictures of) the laboratory
or supporting staff, please see the home
page of the UGL (Undergraduate Laboratories) or the home
page of the UGCL (Undergraduate Control Laboratories). For the latest
information on MAE classes, verify the listing
of classes offered at the MAE
department.
