Category: teaching

Teaching Philosophy

In the age of unrestricted internet access, you can find information on most concepts and solutions to a lot of problems. Therefore, as a teacher, I feel my goal is to provide an elevated experience whereby a student should be able to clearly understand the concept, implement those concepts to design and analyze a complex system and then infer data from experiments to defend those design choices. To cater to the ever-increasing demands from the industry and academia for all-rounders, I feel as a teacher, I should be able to provide those previously stated experiences in a holistic manner.

I believe that students should be exposed to a lot of examples so that they can at least remember a part of that as they graduate from one course and move into another course. I also believe that there should be a continuity in the content from one course to another so that students understand their applications from an overall systems perspective. I have always felt that course organization is very important as students appreciate standardization without surprises. As a teacher, I should be open to criticisms, admitting mistakes, open to learning, and open to new ideas. I have had a lot of learning from students in courses and projects through their probing questions during lectures and office hours. It is also important to provide easy access to the teacher and encourage communication and interaction without any fear. I should be well prepared to teach, promote interest in the subject and above all, keep students’ interest and development as the paramount objective.

Engineering Mechanics – Statics, Stress, Dynamics

The Engineering Mechanics sequence involves three courses namely Introduction to Static Systems (ES2501), Stress Analysis (ES2502) and Introduction to Dynamic Systems (ES2503). The details of these courses are given below.

Introduction to Static Systems (ES 2501)

This first year course is one of the fundamental engineering courses that develops basics mathematical and physical reasoning skills to analyze a variety of engineering systems spread across different fields. Core concepts include understanding static equilibrium and the ability to identify and resolve forces acting in a system through free-body diagrams. In addition to homework and exams, design labs will be conducted in-class to expose students to real-world problems. This is a pre-requisite for many advanced engineering courses. Additional details can be found in the undergraduate catalog.

Stress Analysis (ES 2502)

This course introduces you to the mechanics of solids with applications in engineering. This introductory course addresses the analysis of basic mechanical and structural elements with focus on the geometry of motion and deformation of structures, forces on and within different structures and systems and the relationship between forces and motions and deformations. Topics include general concepts of stresses, strains, and material properties of common engineering materials. Also covered are two-dimensional stress transformations, principal stresses, Mohr’s circle and deformations due to mechanical and thermal effects. Applications are to uniaxially loaded bars, circular shafts under torsion, bending and shearing and deflection of beams, and buckling of columns. Both statically determinate and indeterminate problems are analyzed (click here for catalog description).

Introduction to Dynamic Systems (ES 2503)

This freshman/sophomore level course introduces students to the analysis of moving systems with rigid bodies subject to various forces. The focus will be on the kinematics and kinetics of particles and rigid bodies such that a firm understanding is developed to solve practical problems. Fundamental principles describing the motion and acceleration are discussed along with the associated mathematical techniques. The topics covered include kinematics of particles and rigid bodies, equations of motion, work-energy methods, and impulse and momentum. Varied topics will be explored with some exploited in detailed. Software tools applicable in this area will also be used in this course. Additional details can be found in the undergraduate catalog.

Class Structure

I generally teach these courses over summer. In-class sessions generally involve two three-hour sessions weekly. Online sessions involve recorded lectures, and online testing and submission. Online sessions also have one-on-one office hour sessions on demand. Class participation activities, Homework and Projects account for the course grade.
Students involved in these projects produce reports that are used in higher level courses such as Modeling and Analysis of Mechatronic Systems and Advanced Engineering Design as reference guides.


I have also taught Statics and Stress Analysis during the regular academic year. During that time, students in Statics were required to work on a project similar to what is stated above. The teams presented their work in a poster presentation at the end of the term.

Course Code

ES2501 (Statics), ES2502 (Stress Analysis), ES2503 (Dynamics)

Recommended Background

Statics: Differentiation, Integration, Vector Algebra
Stress: Statics
Dynamics: Statics

Reference Books

Statics: Engineering Mechanics: Statics by R.C.Hibbeler
Stress: Mechanics of Materials by R.C.Hibbeler
Dynamics: Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics by R.C.Hibbeler | Engineering Mechanics: Statics by R.C.Hibbeler

Other references:
Statics: analysis and design of systems in equilibrium by Sheppard et al.
Engineering Mechanics: Statics by Dietmar Gross et al.
Schaum’s Outline of Engineering Mechanics: Statics by E. Nelson et al. (available as an online book via the library website)

Tools Used

MS Excel, AutoCAD, SolidWorks Sketch, PMKS+, Matlab, Working Model

Terms Taught

Statics: B-2014, B-2015, E-term (Summer) 2016 onward
Stress: B-2016, E-term (Summer) 2016 onward
Dynamics: E-term (Summer) 2015 onward

Course Management Systems Used

Piazza (no longer used), Blackboard (now discontinued), Canvas, Slack

Syllabus

If you are interested in obtaining the course syllabus, feel free to Contact me.

Modeling & Analysis of Mechatronic Systems

The core of this junior/senior level course is dedicated to modeling physical systems (Mechanical, Electrical, Hydraulic and their combinations) using the Bond Graph language and deriving differential equations that represent different dynamic systems. Methods, manual and computational, to determine system responses are discussed. There are hands-on laboratory activities that involve disassembly, modeling and re-assembly of different mechanical and electro-mechanical systems. There is also a course project where students are encouraged to apply the techniques taught in class/lab to physical systems of their choice or their MQP. In addition, aspects such as conceptual system design, free-body diagrams, and rigid body kinematics and kinetics are also emphasized in this course. Additional details can be found in the undergraduate catalog.

Class Structure

The course is conducted in four 50-minute weekly lecture sessions with a 100-minute weekly lab. Class Participation activities, Homework, Lab Reports and Project work contribute 55% to the course grade while Exams contribute 45%. Students also have an option to improve their exam grades through make-up exams, giving an opportunity to learn from their mistakes. The course has evolved since 2021, whereby in place of exams, more emphasis is placed on class participation activities, homework, labs and project work.
Besides, students vote for two best projects presented in the course and those winning teams receive additional bonus points.

Course Code

ME 4322 / RBE 4322

Recommended Background

Statics, Dynamics, Kinematics of Mechanisms, Design of Machine Elements, Thermo-Fluids Introduction, Calculus, Differential Equations

Tools Used

PMKS+, Matlab, 20sim

Reference Books

System Dynamics: Modeling, Simulation, and Control of Mechatronic Systems by Karnopp, Dean C.; Margolis, Donald L.; Rosenberg, Ronald C., Hoboken: Wiley, 2012
Intelligent Mechatronic Systems: Modeling, Control and Diagnosis by Merzouki et al. (available as an e-book)
Vehicle Dynamics, Stability, and Control by Karnopp, Dean C., 2013, 2nd ed., ISBN 1466560851
Analysis and Design of Dynamic Systems by Cochin, Ira and Cadwallender, William; 1997, 3rd ed., ISBN 9780673982582 

Terms Taught

A and C terms, since A-term 2014

Course Management Systems Used

Piazza (no longer used), Blackboard (now discontinued), Canvas, Slack

Sample Student Projects

  • Shark Steam Mop
  • Demonstrating a Regenerative Braking System (won the Best Project Award selected by fellow students)
  • Demonstrating a Generative System (won the Best Project Award selected by fellow students)
  • Nerf Gun (won the Best Project Award selected by fellow students)
  • Amusement Park Ride
  • Electric Shaver
  • Oscillating Table Fan
  • Artificial Muscles Hysteresis model
  • Automated Manual Transmission (won the Best Project Award selected by fellow students)
  • Automated Graph-Grammar Based Bond Graph Tool (won the Best Project Award selected by fellow students)
  • Analysis of a Automated Tube Insertion Machine
  • Bond-Graph derivation for the analysis of an artificial bird
  • Automatic French Fry Maker
  • Analysis of a Slider Crank Mechanism
  • Automated 3D Printer Part Removal
    and many more.

Syllabus

If you are interested in obtaining the course syllabus, feel free to Contact me.

Advanced Engineering Design

This course integrates students’ background in various mechanical engineering concepts and techniques to develop a working electromechanical system. Sub-systems will be designed, prototyped and integrated into a master system, which will be tested in an end-of-term
activity. Each sub-system development will be categorized into a mini-project. The projects involve various tasks such as identifying customer needs, carrying out literature survey, brainstorming, arriving at specifications, generating concept designs, mathematical modeling (static and dynamic analyses), manufacturing and testing. All projects are group-activities and include report writing and oral presentations. Additional details can be found in the undergraduate catalog.

Course Structure

The course is conducted in four 50-minute lecture sessions weekly. Attendance contributes 10% to the course grade while Projects and exams contribute 60% and 30% respectively. The lectures are refreshers on basic topics as applicable to the projects carried out in the course.

Projects

The course has an integrated structure with three mini projects catered towards building, testing and demonstrating an entire system. The project currently involves building and racing a remote controlled car. Students build their own gear box (specifications, motor, batteries are provided), steering linkage and integrate the two into a working car.
In D-2017 and B-2017, the same concept was carried out but three independent projects were done in the three areas – gear trains, linkages and system development. Since C-2018, this was changed to provide students exposure to building an integrated complex system.
Projects are groups of four to six students depending on the enrollment but there is a lot of emphasis on design, manufacturing and analysis (both using software and equation implementations).
Team compete in an end-of-term RC Car race to test their creations.

Course Code

ME 4320

Recommended Background

Statics, Stress Analysis, Dynamics, Kinematics of Mechanisms, Design of Machine Elements, Modeling and Analysis of Mechatronic Systems, Basics of Manufacturing

Tools Used

PMKS, Matlab, MathCAD, SolidWorks

Reference Books

Fundamental text books relating to the recommended background are the reference books. Additional resources will be shared during the course.

Terms Taught

D-2017, B-2017, C-2018, D-2018, B and D terms since B-2018

Course Management Systems Used

Piazza and Canvas

Course Updates

Please click here for course updates.

Syllabus

If you are interested in obtaining the course syllabus, feel free to Contact me.

Kinematics of Mechanisms

This junior level course deals with position, velocity and acceleration analyses of mechanisms (linkages, gears and cams) and robots. Besides, techniques to synthesize mechanisms based on output specifications will be discussed in length (similar to this illustration ). Practical fabrication and computational projects will be an integral part of this course. Additional details can be found in the undergraduate catalog.

Class Structure

The course is conducted in four 50-minute lecture sessions weekly with a 50-minute weekly lab. Two course formats have been attempted.
Format 1: Three projects (60%), three homework (20%) and one exam (20%). Each project spanned two weeks and involved prototyping, Matlab programming and literature review activities as projects.
Format 2: Class Participation activities, Homework, Lab Reports and Project work contribute 55% of the course grade while Exams contribute 45%.
In both formats, students had an option to improve their exam grades through make-up exams, giving an opportunity to learn from their mistakes.

Course Code

ME 3310

Recommended Background

Statics, Vector Algebra, Calculus, Dynamics

Tools Used

PMKS, Matlab, Working Model, SAM, Linkages

Reference Books

Design of Machinery by Robert L. Norton, 2012,5th ed.,McGraw-Hill
Kinematics, Dynamics, and Design of Machinery by Waldren, Kenneth J. and Kinzel, Gary L; 2004, 2nd ed., ISBN: 9780471244172
Mechanism Design: Analysis & Synthesis by Erdman, A.G., Sandor, G.N., and Kota, S.; 2001, 4th ed., Prentice-Hall
21st Century Kinematics by McCarthy, J.M. (available as an e-book) 

Terms Taught

D-2015, D-2016, C-2017

Course Management Systems Used

Blackboard (now discontinued), Piazza, Canvas

Course Updates

Please click here for course updates.

Syllabus

If you are interested in obtaining the course syllabus, feel free to Contact me.

Introduction to Engineering Design

This course introduces students to a structured product design process that includes identifying customer needs, brainstorming, benchmarking, identifying specifications, designing concepts and so on. Students will work in groups on a course project through which additional topics in creativity, product liability, reverse engineering and patents will also be explored. Additional details can be found in the undergraduate catalog.

Class Structure

The course wAS conducted weekly in four 50-minute lecture sessions and a 100-minute weekly lab session. The course involved solving an industrial problem for M/s. Aspen Aerogels. The course grade was completely based on the project and involved presentations, reporting writing and other class participation activities. The students were also exposed to different engineering systems during lab sessions.

Course Code

ME2300

Recommended Background

Differentiation, Integration, Vector Algebra, Statics, Stress Analysis

Reference Books

Product design: techniques in reverse engineering and new product development by Kevin N. Otto and Kristin L. Wood
Engineering Design: a project based introduction by Clive Dym et al.
Product Design and Development by Ulrich and Eppinger.

Tools Used

MS Excel, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Matlab

Terms Taught

B-term 2015

Course Management Systems Used

Piazza, Blackboard (now discontinued)

Course Updates

Please click here for course updates.

Syllabus

If you are interested in obtaining the course syllabus, feel free to Contact me.

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