THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN

UGS 303 How Things Work (Unique# 65175, 65180, 65185)

Spring 2014
SYLLABUS
UNIQUE NUMBER:

65175. 65180, and 65185

INSTRUCTOR:

Dr. Steven Biegalski, P.E.

TIME:

Tuesday and Thursday 3:30 to 5:00

PLACE:

JGB 2.216

DISCUSSION:

Unique# 65175
Unique# 65180
Unique# 65185

TEACHING ASST.:

Matthew T Montgomery ([email protected])

WOODSHOP:

Charles Upshaw ([email protected])

WEB PAGE:

https://blackboard.utexas.edu/

OFFICE HOURS:

ETC 7.114
Tuesday and Thursday 10:30 to 11:30 (appointments are suggested)
Office:
(512) 232-5380 (PRC)
(512) 471-6369 (ETC)
FAX:
(512) 471-4589
Email:
[email protected]

Friday 12:00 to 1:00

Friday 1:00 to 2:00
Friday 2:00 to 3:00

ENS 145
ENS 145
ENS 145

DESCRIPTION:
This course will give freshman undergraduate students an overview and introduction to mechanical
engineering principles and concepts while also revealing how engineering fits into a modern, globalized
society. The course will cover five main sections:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Machines: how things work (simple machines, pumps, etc.) (3 weeks)

Manufacturing: how things are made (machining, 3D printing) (2.5 weeks)
Information Literacy: how things are described (information literacy, units, measurements,
graphs/plots, dimensioned drawings, flow charts, logic diagrams, visualizing complex
information) (2.5 weeks)
Energy: how things are powered (energy production, conversion, use and impacts) (3 weeks)
Transportation: how things move (cars, planes, trains, ships, rockets) (3 weeks)

Topics will be interdisciplinary and will include an introduction to quantitative concepts in engineering,
along with societal aspects such as culture, economics, and policy. This course will cover brief snippets of
history, use real-world examples, look forward into the future, and benefit from guest speakers. This
course will also include tours.
OBJECTIVES:
The goal of this course is for students to better understand how mechanical systems work; what purpose,
benefits and drawbacks those systems have; and how mechanical systems fit into societys broader context.

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TEXTBOOK:

The New Way Things Work by David Macaulay (1998).

GRADING:
Group Project
Preliminary design
Initial prototype
Final device
Technical manual
Instructional video
Exam

50%
5%
5%
15%
15%
10%
20%

Individual Writing Projects (2 event summaries)

5%
Oral Presentation
5%
Photo homework assignments
5%
Participation in lecture and discussion sections
Total
93-100%
90-92%
87-89%
83-86%
80-82%
77-79%
73-76%
70-72%
67-69%
63-66%
60-62%
0-59%

15%

100%
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF

GROUP PROJECT:
Students will be assigned into groups (of approximately 3-5 members per team). This project has five
steps: preliminary design (worth 5%), physical prototype (worth 5%), the final demonstration (worth 15%),
technical manual (worth 15%), and video (worth 10%).
EXAM:
One exam will be issued, covering the Energy section and the Transportation sections. The exam will be
closed-book, closed-notes, and will cover the lectures and reading assignments for the Energy and
Transportation sections. The exam will be on the last class day.
INDIVIDUAL WRITING PROJECTS:
Students will be responsible for two individual writing assignments comprised of summaries of events that
the students attend. The event summaries are worth 2.5 points apiece, and need to be 200-300 words with
proper grammar (but informal in style, so no citations necessary). Submit them digitally.
ORAL PRESENTAION:
Students will give a short (5 to 10 minute) oral presentation in the discussion section. The presentation
must describe how an objects works (mechanical systems are suggested). The TA will approve the subject
topic. Presentations should describe how the object works, a history of the invention of the object, the
materials that the object is made of, design considerations, and a description of how the object is
made/manufactured. Hands-on demonstrations of the object are encouraged.
PHOTO HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS:

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Students will have five photo homework assignments (1 point each). The categories for each photo is: 1)
simple mechanical system, 2) machine 3) energy. 4) transportation, and 5) student choice. Photos and
description are provided to class blog site. A one paragraph description must include: 1) student name, 2)
location where photo was taken, 3) date and time of picture, 4) a description of the object and how it works.
PARTICIPATION IN LECTURE AND DISCUSSION SECTIONS:
This grade will be determined by attendance at lectures and active participation during discussion sections.
Attendance will be taken throughout the semester during lectures, and during every single discussion
section. Discussion sections will be held every week except for the week of spring break. Students MUST
participate in at least two out-of-class events, including high-profile lectures. Summaries for those events
will be graded in the individual writing assignments section.
WOOD SHOP:
At least 2 members from each team must be certified to use the wood shop. The wood shop TA (Charlie
Upshaw) will hold office hours during the week to help students brainstorm project designs and to give
suggestions on how to construct them. He will not do your work for you.
HOMEWORK POLICY:
The homework policy for this class is as follows:
1)
2)
3)

Homework must be turned in On Time to receive full credit. ( On time is defined as the
start of class on the day it is due. )
Late homework will be accepted up to one week late for 50% credit.
Only two late homework assignments will be accepted per student for the semester.

ATTENDANCE:
Regular attendance is expected in this class. Students must talk to the instructor to account for missed
classes.
IMPORTANT DATES:
See class schedule.
COMPUTER USEAGE:
Some homework assignments will require the use of a computer. This includes the use of spreadsheets,
plotting programs, statistics programs, browsers, document production programs, and specific course
software. The paper for the class should be entirely composed in an electronic format.
CLASS SCHEDULE AND OUTLINE:

Listed on Blackboard web site

SPECIAL NOTES:
The University of Texas at Austin provides upon receipt appropriate academic adjustments for qualified
students with disabilities. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students 471-6259, 4714641 TDD or the College of Engineering Director of Students with Disabilities at 471-4321.
Students should be aware that all required writing assignments may be submitted through a software program called
Turnitin. Turnitin is a software resource designed to help students avoid plagiarism and improper citation. The software
encourages original writing and proper citation documentation practices by cross-referencing submitted materials with
an archived database of journals, essays, newspaper articles, books, and other published work.
For more information about the proper citation of sources, students should consult the following:

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Undergraduate Writing Center, for information and advice on all aspects of writing
Noodlebib, Web-based software for creating MLA and APA-formatted bibliographies
University Libraries, for information and advice on library resources

For more information about academic integrity at the University of Texas at Austin, please see the UT Austin Dean of
Students Web site.

MEASUREMENT AND EVALUATION CENTER:

Mid-way through the semester, an on-line survey will be presented to the class. The evaluation will be
utilized by the instructor and the TA to adapt the class to the needs of the students.
Prepared by:

Steven Biegalski

Date:

Page 4 of 4

01/07/2014