ME361 Dynamics-Spring 2008

MWF 8:00 AM - 8:50 AM, Engineering Building #2243
Instructor: Prof. Nikolai Priezjev, EB2465, 432-9132, priezjev@egr.msu.edu;
Teaching Assistant and Grader: Partha Kempanna, kempanna@egr.msu.edu;
General Policy: Absence from class can cause serious confusion; students are expected to attend lectures which is the standard forum for class communication. Class absence is not an excuse for being unaware of course announcements or course materials. If you are absent, please see the course web page for any announcements you may have missed. The instructor is in no way responsible for providing lecture notes due to student's absence.
Office Hours: You are strongly encouraged to take advantage of office hours as often as you can. The office hours will be coordinated between the professor and the TA in order to maximize the number of hours during the week when help is available. If you stop by an instructor's office at a time other than scheduled office hours, you may be asked to come back, depending upon the instructor's schedule.

Nikolai Priezjev (EB2465) MWF 4:00-5:00 (but will not discuss homework problems on the day they are due, similar for exam particulars).
Partha Kempanna (EB1522 near the library) MW 3:00-4:00 and TTh 1:00-5:00.
Textbook: Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics by R.C. Hibbler, 11th edition, Pearson Prentice Hall, NJ, 2006. ISBN 0-13-221504-7
Homework: Homework problems will be assigned regularly. Only a few selected problems need to be turned in for grading and each problem will be graded on a simple point scale (0,1,2,3). They are clearly marked on the schedule with bold typeface. Each submitted problem must be completed on the front of one page and so each submitted assignment must consist of the same number of pages as number of assigned problems (stapled together). Point deductions will occur for unclear presentation. The homework due dates are listed in the schedule. Homework must be submitted in the lecture section for which you are enrolled. Late homework receives no credit. Solutions to all problems will be post on the Angel webpage. Student collaboration on the homeworks is encouraged, but you must write up and submit your own solutions.

Students are expected to also work out all problems (not only those assigned for grading) as they are an integral part of the learning experience.

Exams: There are 3 exams in addition to the final exam. They are closed-book, closed notes, 50-minute, in-class exams. Calculators are not allowed as all problems may be worked by hand. Formula sheets of your own creation are not allowed, as an appropriate formula sheet will be provided with the exam. The nature of this formula sheet will be made available to you before the exam so that you will know in advance its contents. Thus the only materials of your own that are allowed in the exam are pencil, paper, eraser. Make-up exams will be given only in the case of documented emergencies. Exam dates are posted on the schedule.
Final: A final will be held according to the official final exam schedule. It will be of the same format as the in-class exams covering new material since the previous exam. The policy on calculators and formula sheets is the same as for the in-class exams.
Grading Scheme: Your course grade is based on your in class grade total percentage. If homework is collected then your class grade total  percentage is given by 18% homework, 54% exams (18% each) and 18% final.

Attendance Policy: First five lectureas can be missed without penalty. Next 20 lectures will count towards 10% of the course grade.

Your course grade then follows from the following table:

class grade total percentage
>=90% >=85% >=80% >=75% >=70% >=65% >=60% <60%
course grade 4.0 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0

You may access your recorded grades on the MSU Angel system.
Ethics: Engineers must adhere to a rigorous code of professional ethics. Unethical conduct in ME361 will result in the maximum disciplinary action permitted by Michigan State University. Unethical conduct in this class includes, but is not limited to, cheating on exams and supplying information to others (students bear responsibility for ensuring the security of their examination papers). If you have any questions, your instructor is available to discuss issues of professional expectations and ethics. Departmental plagiarism policy can be viewed here.

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