CE 151.  INTRODUCTION TO CIVIL, AGRICULTURAL AND GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING

CAGE Department

FALL 1999 semester

 

CATALOG DESCRIPTION:

Historical development of computers and their effects on society as a whole and engineering in particular.  Use of word processor, spreadsheets, Mathcad and other applications on microcomputers.  Satisfies General Education Computer Science requirement.  Credit Hours: 3.

 

INSTRUCTOR:

Fernando Cadena

OFFICE:

EC II, Rm 230

OFFICE PHONE:

646-3023

OFFICE HRS:

M-Th: 2:00-4:30

E-mail address:

fcadena@nmsu.edu

http:/cagesun.nmsu.edu/~fcadena/

 

CLASS MEETING SCHEDULE AND LOCATION:

Lecture:

MWF, 8:30-9:20

 

 

 

PREREREQUISITES:

Math 180, College Algebra, and Math 185.

 

TEXTS:         

"Introduction to Excel," David C. Kuncicky, Prentice Hall, 01-13-254749-X

"Introduction to Mathcad," Ronald W. Larsen, Prentice Hall, 01-13-937493-0

 

COURSE GOALS:

·        Learn to apply fundamental statistical analyses.

·        Fundamentals of word processing using MS Word are reviewed. 

·        Survey visual computer presentations and use of PowerPoint as a drafting tool. 

·        Apply the basics of professional and academic ethics.

·        Acquaint incoming freshmen with analytical thinking and problem solving. Fundamental engineering problem solving concepts are developed and implemented in spreadsheets and Mathcad worksheets. 

 

SUMMARY OF COURSE OBJECTIVES:

At the conclusion of the course the student will be able to:

·        To use MS Word for technical writing applications.  The student will be familiar with the creation of technical tables and equations within this word processing application.

·        Prepare technical presentations using the computer as delivery medium.  The potential of PowerPoint is explored for engineering applications.

·        Use basic statistical functions for interpretation of engineering data

·        Solve fundamental engineering problems where input parameters and solution approach is provided.  The student will use be able to create tabular solutions in the form of Excel spreadsheets for discrete data generation.  The student will be able to use Mathcad for the solution to various applied mathematical functions such as, roots and simultaneous equations using Mathcad.  The student will be able to create computer graphic animations for the solution of mathematical and engineering problems.

·        Apply the ABET and ASCE Code of Ethics to hypothetical engineering ethics situations.

 

COURSE TOPICS AND SCHEDULE

No.

Date

Topic

Reading

Notes

1

8/25

Introduction to the class.  MS Windows

 

 

2

8/27

Accessing the web.  Introduction to WebCT

 

 

3

8/30

WebCT features

 

 

4

9/1

Introduction to MS Word

 

Q1

5

9/3

Use of Word’s equation editor

 

H1

 

9/6

Use of Word’s HTML editor

 

 

6

9/8

Basic statistics (mean, median Std. deviation, C.V.)

 

Q2

7

9/10

Linear regression (least-square method)

 

H2

8

9/13

App. of statistical functions.  Accuracy and precision

1.1-1.4

 

9

9/15

Excel Basics

2.1-2.3

Q3

10

9/17

Excel Basics

2.4-2.6

H3

11

9/20

Entering Data

3.1

 

12

9/22

Formatting Data

3.2

Q4

13

9/24

Creating and Using Formulas

4.1-4.2.3

H4

14

9/27

Creating and Using Formulas

4.2.4-4.2.7

 

15

9/29

Mathematical Functions

4.3

Q5

16

10/1

Mathematical Functions

4.3

H5

17

10/4

Matrix Operations

4.4

 

18

10/6

Creating and Editing Charts

5.1-5.4

Q6

19

10/8

Data Analysis

6.1-6.2

H6

20

10/11

Data Analysis

6.3-6.5

 

21

10/13

Midterm Exam

 

 

22

10/15

Visit to NMSU Engineering Library

 

 

23

10/18

Accessing the Virtual Library

 

 

24

10/20

Introduction to MS PowerPoint (last day to drop with "W")

 

Q7

25

10/22

PowerPoint as a drafting tool

 

H7

26

10/25

Creating a PowerPoint presentation

 

 

27

10/27

Engineering units

 

Q8

28

10/29

Introduction to Mathcad

1.1-1.8

H8

29

11/1

Mathcad Fundamentals

2.1-2.4

 

30

11/3

Mathcad Fundamentals

2.5-2.7

Q9

31

11/5

Mathcad Functions

3.1-3.3

H9

32

11/8

Mathcad Functions

3.4-3.5

 

33

11/10

Mathcad Functions

3.6-3.7

Q10

34

11/12

Working With Arrays

4.1-4.2

H10

35

11/15

Working With Arrays

4.3-4.5

 

36

11/17

Graphing with Mathcad

5.1

Q11

37

11/19

Statistical Functions

5.2

H11

38

11/22

Interpolation (Last day to withdraw from univ.)

5.3

 

 

11/24

THANKSGIVING BREAK (11/24 - 11/26)

 

 

39

11/29

Curve Fitting

5.4

 

40

12/1

Symbolic Math

6.1-6.2

Q12

41

12/3

Symbolic Math

6.3-6.4

H12

42

12/6

Professional engineering ethics

 

 

43

12/8

Professional engineering ethics

 

Q13

44

12/10

Review and Evaluation

 

H13

45

12/15

FINAL EXAM (8:00 - 10:00)

 

 

 

CONTRIBUTION OF COURSE TO MEETING THE PROFESSIONAL COMPONENT:

This course provides the student with the necessary background to perform entry-level computational work in Civil, Agricultural and Geological engineering.

 

RELATIONSHIP OF COURSE TO PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:

This course satisfies the computer literacy components of the Civil, Agricultural and Geological Engineering programs.