EAS 199A is the first course in a three-part Introduction to Engineering sequence. One of the major goals of the course is to introduce students to the technology, software, fabrication, teamwork, trouble-shooting, communication, and presentation skills necessary for effective engineering. Successful engineers (and successful engineering students) have a willingness to tackle problems without obvious solutions. Hence, another goal of the course is to instill the "can-do" spirit and engineering knowledge that is essential to solve engineering problems. Engineers also have the to apply logic, mathematics, science, fact-based reasoning, and common sense to solve problems. Therefore, the course also covers fundamentals of engineering problem-solving.
EAS 199A is more like a lab course than a traditional lecture. Instead of buying a textbook, you buy a kit of electronic parts that includes an open source microcontroller. You also purchase a set of hand tools. Class meetings are a combination of short (20 to 30 minute) lectures and active periods where students work on their microcontrollers, fabricate parts on machine tools in the classroom, or use their laptops to solve problems and practice techniques demonstrated during the lecture.
In the culminating project of the course, students fabricate a water pump using machine tools in our shop and a 3D printer to create the impeller. They then measure the performance of the pump and analyze the data using techniques learned in the class.
As a result of taking this course students will be able to
There is no textbook. Reading materials and class notes will be provided on the class web site. Students are required to have their own laptop computer that they bring to class. Specifications for the laptops are given below. Students must purchase a microcontroller project kit called the SparkFun Inventor's Kit for Arduino. The kits are available at the Portland State Bookstore.
If you really want some reference books, the following are excellent sources of information to support this class. The links are to Amazon, but locally these are available at Powell's.
Students are required to have their own laptop computer. Laptops running the latest versions of Windows, or Macintosh operating systems are acceptable. Regardless of the operating system chosen, students are expected to be able to maintain and use their computers to complete the homework assignments in the class. The instructors and Teaching Assistants cannot offer tutoring or system maintenance support. Students will need to have a recent version of the Microsoft Office software suite. Students will need to run Excel, and PowerPoint during in-class exercises and presentations. Students will need to demonstrate proficiency with Excel during quizzes and exams.
The Maseeh College has two general purpose computing laboratories in room EB 325 and FAB 55-17. See cat.pdx.edu/students/labs and cat.pdx.edu/labstatus for more information. Solidworks and MathCAD are installed on the computers in the EB 325 lab.
Students are required to assemble a set of hand tools to be used in completing homework assignments and in-class exercises. Students are expected to bring the tools to class. The list of tools is specified on another web page.
Students will be working with hand tools, power tools and electronic equipment during class, and as part of completing homework assignments and projects. Students will be provided instruction in the safe use of these tools and equipment. As a condition of taking the class, students must agree to sign a form that releases Portland State University and its staff from liability for injury caused during the use of the equipment.