ME1015 Rigid Body Dynamics

Course Syllabus, Spring Term 2017

January 3, 2017

Instructor: Dr. Jason G. Pickel

Contact Info: Email - jgp2@pitt.edu

Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays between 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm, and by appointment. Location TBA

Class Webpage: On courseweb, https://courseweb.pitt.edu

Prerequisities: ENGR 0135 and MATH 0240

Textbook: Engineering Mechanics Dynamics, J.L. Meriam and L.G. Kraige, 7th edition, John Wiley &
Sons, INC. Each student is required to register for the WileyPLus course associated with the textbook . Reg-
istration information for the WileyPLus course is posted on courseweb. The hardcopy textbook is optional.

Course Objectives: This course develops a working knowledge of dynamics so that the student can
analyze and predict the forces acting on a body and the bodys resulting motion. Topics will include:
1. Kinematics and kinetics of particles
2. Kinetics of system of particles
3. Kinematics and kinetics of rigid bodies
4. Work-Energy and Impulse-Momentum methods
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Interpret the geometry and physical meaning of mechanical systems by drawing diagrams (free body
diagrams and kinematic diagrams)
2. Apply several governing methods (Newton laws, work-energy, impulse-momentum) to study mechanical
systems
3. Analyze and predict the kinematics and kinetics of a body using various reference frames
Homework: Homework problems will be assigned and collected periodically. No late homework will be accepted.

Quizzes: Quizzes may be given for assessing each students understanding of the material. The quizzes
may be given with or without prior announcement. The quiz topics will be drawn from the lectures and
homework. Each quiz will be equivalent to one homework assignment and will count towards your final
grade. A quiz can only be made up if you contact me ahead of time.

Exams: Two exams will be given (as tentatively shown on the schedule). If the university is closed
during the day an exam is to be given, then the exam will be given during the next class meeting.
No make-up exams will be given without extenuating circumstances and prior approval.

Final Exam: The final exam will be given on Friday April 28, 2017, from 4 pm - 5:50 pm. The final
exam will be comprehensive.

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 Grades: The grades will be made up of the following components:

Assessment Percentage
Homework and Quizzes 25%
Exam 1 25%
Exam 2 25%
Final Exam 25%

Guidelines for Grades The course grades will be determined as follows:

Score Grade Score Grade

97 A+ 72.0 - 76.9 C
92.0 - 96.9 A 67.0 - 71.9 C- or D+
89.0 - 91.9 A- or B+ 62.0 - 66.9 D
82.0 - 88.9 B 60.0 - 61.9 D-
77.0 - 81.9 B- or C+ 60 F

If you fall into one of these gray areas (e.g., A- or B+, B- or C+, C- or D+), your grade will be
determined by two things:
1. your performance on the quizzes
2. your performance on the exams
Insurance File If an obvious error is made in grading your homework, quizzes, or exams, I will correct it
immediately. All appeals regarding severity and judgement must be filed through a written appeal . The ap-
peal must include:
1. A complete xerox copy of the entire homework assignment, quiz, or exam.
2. A cover page describing which problem(s) are in question and what the injustice is believed to be.
3. How many points (a numerical value) you believe are owed to you.

This information will be saved in the insurance file until the end of the term. When I compute final
grades, I will consider your insurance file. If the number of points in question is sufficient to improve your
grade, I will evaluate your appeal and regrade. This process saves me time, and gives you a formal process
for appealing grades.

Classroom Conduct Students are expected to act professionally in class. Please observe the following
guidelines for classroom and course conduct:
Be in class on time. Showing up late means you miss important information and disturb the class.
If you must leave class early, please let me know ahead of time.
Keep talking to a minimum. It diverts your attention and those around you.
If you must answer a phone call, please leave the class.
No texting.
No internet browsing.
When you send me an email, it needs to be a professional email with your full name, a salutation and
closing.
Academic Integrity Students are expected to comply with the University of Pittsburghs Policy on
Academic Integrity. Any student suspected of violating this obligation for any reason during the semester
will be required to participate in the procedural process, initiated at the instructor level, as outlined in
the University Guidelines on Academic Integrity. In addition, the MEMS department has established a
coordinated and uniform approach to dealing with violations of academic regulations against cheating and
plagiarism. This approach involves disciplinary actions that increase in severity with number of instances a
student has been found in violation of academic integrity.

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 Disabilities If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, please
contact both myself and Disability Resources and Services as early as possible in the term. Contact infor-
mation for Disability Resources and Services are: 216 William Pitt Union, (412) - 648 - 7890 or
(412) - 383 - 7355 (TTY). Disability Resources and Services will verify your disability and determine rea-
sonable accommodations for this course. DRWS website: http://www.drs.pitt.edu

Statement on Classroom Recording Students may NOT record classroom lectures, discussion, and/or
activities without the advance written permission of the instructor.