Collection

2000 Annual Conference

Authors

Yi Shang; Michael Jurczyk; Hongchi Shi; Anupam Joshi

Session 1526 Laboratory-Oriented Teaching in Web and Distributed Computing∗ Hongchi Shi, Yi Shang, Michael Jurczyk, and Anupam Joshi♣ University of Missouri-Columbia AbstractIn this paper, we present our experiences in teaching two laboratory-oriented courses in the Weband distributed computing area using our NSF-sponsored Distributed Systems Laboratory (DSL).The DSL consists of one Sun Enterprise 3500 server and 12 Sun Ultra 10 workstations connectedthrough fast Ethernet and ATM networks. The computer systems in

Collection

2000 Annual Conference

Authors

Ben Humphrey

Session 3226 Using Material Safety Data Sheets to Teach Laboratory Safety Ben Humphrey Parks College of Engineering and Aviation of Saint Louis UniversityModern life thrives on, but is also threatened by, the constant development and use of chemicalconcoctions. Many are benign. Some are very dangerous. A few are deadly. But moredangerous than the chemicals we contact every day is the rampant ignorance of their hazards. Itseems to be a firmly entrenched trait of human nature to ignore the risks involved in substancesto which we are in constant contact, especially if those substances are provided for

Collection

2000 Annual Conference

Authors

Srboljub R. Masala; Kevin W. Biggar; Colin Geissler

nice features like ‘setting-up the apparatus’ knowledge test.What these programs were lacking from our prospective is the following. Page 5.625.2- They are simply input – output machines, the outputs are either numbers or diagrams; there was little attempt to visualize the testing process.- The equipment is described conceptually; the pictures shown are schemes without details. This is good for a supplementary teaching tool, for parametric analyses, etc. but has limited value in teaching the conduct of particular experiment, especially if the procedure will not be performed in a real laboratory.- Finally, the soil models used are

Collection

2000 Annual Conference

Authors

William F. Horton; Thomas Agayoff; Saul Goldberg

* decreased or eliminated • space requirements • equipment* damage and repair • hazardous environment • range of device types • range of device ratings increased • range of device characteristics* Equipment refers to machines, devices, instrumentation and power supplies.With these in mind, we have proposed the Virtual Power Laboratory as the basis for a firstlaboratory course in power conversion.A preliminary version of VPLab was used in a power conversion course in the Fall 1999 Quarterat Cal Poly. The response by both students taking the course and the faculty member teaching hasbeen excellent.II. DescriptionThe VPLab, text and software, form a cohesive, complementary

Collection

2000 Annual Conference

Authors

Otto Fucik; Michael McKenna; Bogdan M. Wilamowski

implementation in silicon.Bibliography1. G. Puvvada and M.A. Breuer, “Teaching computer hardware design using commercial CAD tools,” IEEE Trans.Educ., vol. 36, pp. 158-163, Feb. 1993.2. V. Madisetti, A. Gadient, J. Stinson, J. Aylor, R. Klenke, H. Carter, T. Egolf, M. Salinas and T. Taylor,“DARPA’s Digital System Design Curriculum and Peer-Reviewed Educational Infrastructure,” 1997 ASEE AnnualConference and Exposition, Session 1232.3. G.M. Brown and N. Vrana, “A computer architecture laboratory course using programmable logic,” IEEE Trans.Educ., vol. 38, pp. 118-125, May 1995. Page 5.421.94. C.R. Carroll, “Portable Input/Output Instrument for

Collection

2000 Annual Conference

Authors

Edward F. Young; Jeffrey Morehouse; Jed Lyons

Program grant DUE- 9950153 is gratefully acknowledged.References• Abbitt, J, Carroll, B., Fearn, R. and Rivers, R. (1996), “Flight Test Engineering - An Integrated Design/Laboratory Course,” Journal of Engineering Education, v 85, n 1, p 73.• Abu-Khalaf, A. (1998), “Getting The Most Out Of A Laboratory Course,” Chemical Engineering Education, v 32, n 3, p 184.• Arce, J. and Betancourt, R (1997), “ Student-Designed Experiments in Scientific Laboratory Instruction”, Journal of College Science Teaching, November 1997, p. 114.• Burke, A., Phatak, A., Reilly, P. and Hudgins, R. (1993), “Introducing Statistical Concepts in the Undergraduate Laboratory,” Chemical Engineering Education, v 27, n 2, p 130.• Byrd, J. and Hudgins, J. (1995

Collection

2000 Annual Conference

Authors

Eric A. Stueber; Chiang Lin; Susan M. Morgan

Session 1554 Web-Based Database for Laboratory Courses Chiang Lin, Susan M. Morgan, Eric A. Stueber Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleAbstractAs many other departments are doing, the Department of Civil Engineering at Southern IllinoisUniversity Edwardsville is in the process of incorporating the Internet into courses. Inconjunction with a project to develop course web pages, it was determined that there was a needin laboratory courses to find a method for students to share data more readily. In the past, thestudents posted their laboratory data on a hall bulletin board. However, these

Collection

2000 Annual Conference

Authors

Jawaharlal Mariappan; Ravi Ramachandran; Stephanie Farrell

the next two experiments. The last four experiments deal withreal systems like an engine, helicopter, ball and beam and an anti-lock brake system. Details ofan experiment on a first order system are given.Introduction The control systems laboratory is an integrated effort by the Faculty of Engineering atRowan University to configure a novel hands-on method of teaching Control Systems from amultidisciplinary point of view. The Electrical, Mechanical and Chemical Engineering programsare joining together to achieve this. Although Control is an interdisciplinary technology, there hashistorically been a tendency for the different engineering departments to teach the subject fromtheir very own somewhat narrow perspective without any semblance

Collection

2000 Annual Conference

Authors

William G. Fahrenholtz; Mohamed N Rahaman

graduate level for the last 13 years or so. His coursesinclude two junior level laboratories devoted to processing and microstructural characterization of ceramics.Educated in England, Dr. Rahaman received B.A. and M.A. degrees in Physics from Cambridge University and aPh.D. degree in Polymer Science from Sheffield University. In addition to his teaching duties, he is activelyinvolved in ceramics research and has published a textbook and approximately 90 publications.WILLIAM G. FAHRENHOLTZWilliam G. Fahrenholtz joined the Ceramic Engineering Department at the University of Missouri-Rolla as anAssistant Professor in July, 1999. He received B.S. and M.S. degrees in Ceramic Engineering from the University ofIllinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Ph.D. in

Collection

2000 Annual Conference

Authors

Prawit Potsawatsuk; Mohammed Enamul Haque; Amarneethi Vamadevan

Session 1426 JAVA Simulation based Soil Mechanics Laboratory Course Studio Mohammed E. Haque, Amarneethi Vamadevan, Prawit Rotsawatsuk Western Michigan University, Michigan 49008AbstractIn the field of civil/geotechnical engineering, students conduct a variety of soil tests to fulfillundergraduate soil mechanics course requirement. There is a range of problems in soil laboratoryinstruction, such as, some students not getting hands on experience of conducting tests becauseof inadequate number of apparatus, time constraints and inability in exciting students to seriouslyconduct the experiments. However when these laboratory

Collection

2000 Annual Conference

Authors

Marehalli G. Prasad; Consantin Chassapis; Sven Esche

Session 3220 Remotely Accessible Laboratory Approach for Undergraduate Education Sven K. Esche, Marehalli G. Prasad, Constantin Chassapis Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stevens Institute of TechnologyIntroductionToday, the hands-on activities typically associated with educational laboratories are widelyrecognized by all constituents of academia as imperative and integral elements of modernengineering curricula. This trend is evidenced through the new review criteria applied byeducational accreditation boards such as ABET and recent funding initiatives of governmental,charitable and

Collection

2000 Annual Conference

Authors

William J. Hutzel

Applied Energy Laboratory.It is also important to briefly mention some of the more traditional reasons for corporate supportof laboratory development projects:• Many companies are simply generous supporters of higher education. Donating equipment is one way of giving back to the community.• Many companies recognize that today’s students will become tomorrow’s customers. Students begin to develop “brand name” recognition while they are still in school.• Many companies are interested in enhancing the technical training of their future employees. It makes good sense to help maintain modern laboratories at universities where they recruit.Maintaining HVAC LaboratoriesIn addition to teaching undergraduate students, modern laboratories

Collection

2000 Annual Conference

Authors

Nickolas S. Jovanovic

Session 2633 The Virtual Classroom and Laboratory for Thermodynamics Education Nickolas S. Jovanovic University of Arkansas at Little Rock1. IntroductionMechanical engineering technology (MET) students at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock(UALR) are using World Wide Web Course Tools (WebCT) and CyclePad software to enhancetheir understanding of the thermodynamic cycles employed in important technologies such asrefrigeration equipment, automobile engines, and power plants. WebCT is a commercial, web-based software package for designing and

Collection

2000 Annual Conference

Authors

Joseph R.V. Flora

Belancourt, R. Student-Designed Experiments in Scientific Lab Instruction, Journal of College Science Teaching, 27, 114-118, 1997.14. Lyons, J.S., Morehouse, J.H., and Young, E. Design of a Laboratory to Teach Design of Experiments, Proceedings of the 1999 ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Charlotte, NC, June 20-23, 1999.15. Neter, J., Wasserman, W., and Kutner, M.H. Applied Linear Statistical Models, Richard D. Irwin, Inc., Burr Ridge, IL, 1990.Biographical InformationJOSEPH R.V. FLORA is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at theUniversity of South Carolina – Columbia. He received a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of thePhilippines, a M.S. in Environmental

Collection

2000 Annual Conference

Authors

Susan M. Lord; Jose A. Macedo; Rick T. Olson

Laboratory," under review Journal of Engineering Education.4 Parten, M. E., “Project Management in the Laboratory,” ASEE Annual Conference, Anaheim, CA, Session 2220, pp. 1119-1123, June 1995.5 Fentiman, Audeen W. and Demel, John T., “Teaching Students to Document a Design Project and Present the Results,” Journal of Engineering Education, vol. 84, no. 4, 1995, pp. 329-333.6 Tsang, E. (ed.), Design that Matters: Service-Learning in Engineering, to be published in 2000 by the American Association for Higher Education, Washington, DC.J. A. MACEDODr. Jose A. Macedo is an Associate Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering at USD. Dr. Macedo receivedhis B.S. from Catholic University of Peru, an M.S. from the University of

Collection

2000 Annual Conference

Authors

Maurice F Aburdene; Jaskeerat S. Baweja; Richard J. Kozick

Session 1620 Interactive Signals and Systems Laboratories Using Notebooks Maurice F. Aburdene, Richard J. Kozick, Jaskeerat S. Baweja Bucknell UniversityAbstractThis paper presents three interactive signal processing laboratories that use Matlab programslinked to a Microsoft Word document (a “notebook”). The active filter analysis and design,convolution and concert halls, and spectral analysis labs are designed for third-year students in asignals and systems course. These labs engage the students in the learning process by providingthem with the opportunity to experiment and ask “what if” questions

Collection

2000 Annual Conference

Authors

Nicole DeJong; Ken Van Treuren; Don Farris; Cindy Fry

Sciences at the University ofOxford, UK, and returned to the USAF Academy to teach heat transfer and propulsion systems. At Baylor heteaches courses in laboratory techniques, fluid mechanics, energy systems, and propulsion systems, as well asfreshman engineering. His research interests include experimental convective heat transfer.DON FARRISDonald R. Farris is a Professor in the Department of Engineering at Baylor University. He received his B.S. inElectrical Engineering from Texas Tech University and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from SouthernMethodist University and is a registered Professional Engineer in Texas. His industrial/research experience includeswork at Los Alamos National Laboratory and General Dynamics (now Lockheed

Collection

2000 Annual Conference

Authors

Meagen Marquardt; Joshua U. Otaigbe; Brad Tischendorf

(ISU), there is a rich and long history of new materialssynthesis, processing, and characterization involving inorganic materials such as chalcogenideand phosphate glasses, intermetallic compounds, composites, and biodegradable plastics derivedfrom natural agricultural products. By contrast, undergraduate students at ISU have almost noaccess to teaching laboratories where they can acquire hands-on experience in the behavior andanalysis of polymers, despite the ubiquitous and pervasive nature of these materials. The web-based computer instructional modules described in this paper will address this deficiency in theundergraduate curriculum by providing students access to the first innovative, interactive

Collection

2000 Annual Conference

Authors

Hugh Jack

engineering students are taught control of continuous systems using linear controltheory. These courses often include topics such as step response and design of lead/lag control-lers. In terms of the pedagogy, linear controls are less desirable for the mechanical engineeringstudents because they are very difficult to implement in actual designs. The linear approachmakes more sense for electrical engineering students who are familiar with the mathematicaltools, and can implement the control system easily with common electronic components.This paper will describe a course, EGR 450 - Manufacturing Control Systems. The courseincludes lectures, laboratories and a project. This course uses rigorous design techniques and the-oretical methods to teach

Collection

2000 Annual Conference

Authors

Victor F. Medina; Valarie Akerson; Nina Wang

personal inquiry project related tocourse topics. Data was collected in the form of videotaped course sections, pre- andpost-interviews of the professor and students, and course documents such as lesson plans,syllabus, and student work. After data was analyzed it was found there were benefits toboth students and instructor in terms of knowledge gained and objectives being met forboth research and teaching. Challenges to using the project-based method were alsoidentified. A call for future research could be helping professors more easily transition tothe use of the project-based method.I. IntroductionEnvironmental Engineering Laboratory is a traditional part of the curriculum for graduateprograms in environmental engineering. The traditional

Collection

2000 Annual Conference

Authors

Debbie T. Brown; Masoud Rais-Rohani

Session 2520 Development of a Virtual Laboratory for the Study of Mechanics Masoud Rais-Rohani, Debbie T. Brown Mississippi State UniversityAbstractVirtual Laboratory for the Study of Mechanics (VLSM) is a Web-based educational tool beingdeveloped to support Statics and Mechanics of Materials instruction at Mississippi StateUniversity. It is designed to serve as an asynchronous tutorial tool with ten modules devoted totopics of interest in these two courses. A typical module consists of concise theoreticaldiscussions, interactive MathView® examples, a Java-enabled design modeling and analysis

Collection

2000 Annual Conference

Authors

Jacek Jarzynski; Sheldon M. Jeter

Session 2566 Development of an Innovative Engineering Sciences and Systems Laboratory Course Sheldon M. Jeter and Jacek Jarzynski Georgia Institute of Technology INTRODUCTION In the fall of 1999 Georgia Tech changed from a ten week quarter to a fifteenweek semester schedule. This change created the need and opportunity to revise theundergraduate mechanical engineering curriculum. An important overall curriculumchange was to discontinue the dual track curriculum that featured some concentration oneither mechanical systems or thermal energy and fluid systems. The curriculum

Collection

2000 Annual Conference

Authors

Richard L. Martin; Michael Morrow; Thad Welch

teaching of introductory or core courses in electrical engineering or technology, laboratoryexperience by the students is a necessity. In teaching basic signal analysis and/or introductorycommunications theory and the use of basic instrumentation, it has been found that provision ofknown signals to the various student laboratory stations both increases the efficiency of theinstructor’s time and enhances the student’s learning. For over thirty years, the ElectricalEngineering Department at the U. S. Naval Academy has used a central signal distribution systemin its laboratories. The system was installed in 1968 and has been used to the present. The EElaboratory complex was in fact constructed around that facility, and the majority of the EE labshave

Collection

2000 Annual Conference

Authors

Peter J. Shull

students to improve other skills as well, such as becoming avehicle to improve learning style and retention skills.However, it is a challenge to develop written exercises that provide an effective learningexperience without burdening the engineering faculty with overwhelming grading demands,especially at those undergraduate institutions where teaching assistants (graders) are unavailableand all grading is done by the faculty. The question, then, is what writing assignments wouldbest meet the needs of improving the learning environment while still providing the engineeringfaculty with a manageable workload. Formal group writing laboratory reports were consideredas a resolution to that major issue.The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate both

Collection

2000 Annual Conference

Authors

Dennis J. Miller

aboutthe experiment that made the experiment difficult to complete successfully. It is not possible forthe students to truly assess the consultant’s technical presentation until they have completed theexperiment.The consulting exercise and a formal presentation constitute the oral communications aspect ofthe laboratory course. Together, these count for 100 points out of a course total of 800, or about12% of the student’s grade.V. Benefits and PitfallsStudent feedback on the consulting exercise has been generally positive. Many like the idea ofbeing an “expert” and having the opportunity to explain and teach technical material related to anexperiment. They claim to enjoy and benefit from the informal, yet still somewhat structuredcommunications

Collection

2000 Annual Conference

Authors

Kevin LaFerriere; John M. Spinelli

Transform, Frequency Response, Bode plots and Filter design.The ten weekly three hour laboratories are designed to closely follow the classroomportion of the course.Upon entering, students have taken one course in steady state AC and DC circuits. Theyhave considerable experience with MATLAB, but have not used LabVIEW, or computercontrolled instruments. In order to avoid overloading students with new hardware andsoftware systems, only a small subset of the capabilities of each system is used.2.1 Goals of the LaboratoryOur experience in teaching previous versions of this course is that students fail to relatethe abstract definitions of systems properties such as linearity to the behavior of a realsystem in the laboratory. They also confuse a model of

Collection

2000 Annual Conference

Authors

Behnam Kamali

Session 3432 A Novel Structure for Electrical Engineering Senior Capstone Laboratory Behnam Kamali Mercer University School of EngineeringAbstractThe electrical engineering senior capstone laboratory course is meant “to provide the electricalengineering senior student with additional and varied experiences in creating and designingworking electrical/ electronic/ electromechanical systems, from specifications to prototypeproduct”. At Mercer University we have structured this course such that in addition to designstipulations, it addresses a number of other EC 2000 requirements, specially, those

Collection

2000 Annual Conference

Authors

Craig W. Somerton

Session 3268 Incorporating a Team Building Experiment into a Senior Level Laboratory Course Craig W. Somerton Department of Mechanical Engineering, Michigan State UniversityI. IntroductionIn spring of 1995 Ford Motor Company established a continuous quality improvement (CQI)partnership with the colleges of business and engineering at Michigan State University. Toinitiate the program, Ford held workshops for the faculty and staff that focused on CQIprinciples and their implementation. During these workshops there was considerable interactionamong personnel from the two

Collection

2000 Annual Conference

Authors

Thomas Hall

enhanced with the proper mix of medium, student, subject matter content and learning task (p. 445).After evaluating a number of meta-analyses and frequently contradictory literature, Clark2, 3remained convinced that media do not matter. He pointed out, “it is method of instruction [ratherthan media] that leads more directly and powerfully to learning” (Clark, 1983, p. 449). On theother side of the debate, Kosma4 argues that media and methods influence each other. “In a gooddesign, media and methods are inexorably confounded. Media constrain and enablemethods…”(p. 11).In 1989, Gokhale5 compared a “canned” simulation program that required the students to apply“rules of logic” with hands-on laboratories in teaching logic circuits. He also

Collection

2000 Annual Conference

Authors

Jeffrey A. Jalkio

appears to have met its objectives.6. AcknowledgementsThe development of this laboratory exercise would not have been possible without thework of Karl Mueller, lab manager for the engineering department, and Dr. Vern Cottleswho designed and built the apparatus used, and the students who struggled through itsinitial use: Lisa Schuweiler, Brian Doe, Matt Michel, Scott Helgeson, Chris Liedman,and Jed Fields.Bibliography1 McKeachie, Teaching Tips, 9th ed.,D.C. Heath, 19842 Society of Manufacturing Engineers, (1997) "Manufacturing Education Plan: Phase I Report", SME3 Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, ABET 2000 Evaluation Criteria, ABET4 Umez-Eronini, System Dynamics and Control, International Thomson Publishing, 19995 Dorf and