IAP 99 For-Credit Subjects

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Mechanical Engineering

2.972 Independent Activities Understanding How Things Work Alex Slocum , Martin L. Culpepper Schedule: TBD Selection by departmental lottery. Do not pre-register on WebSIS. No listeners Enter lottery by: 14-DEC-98 Prereq: http://web.mit.edu/2.972/www/prerequisites.html Level: U 6 units Graded P/D/F For undergraduates desiring to carry on independent or group studies during the January Independent Activities Period. Each student will carry on a program of his or her own choosing, either as an independent worker, or as a member of a team or class. Special lectures, seminars, and laboratory projects arranged when appropriate. Programs arranged on an individual basis in consultation with the instructor. Lottery/registration link: http://web.mit.edu/2.972/www/registration.html. The course has two sections. SECTION 1 meets Jan. 4-15 (Mon-Fri). SECTION 2 meets Jan. 19-29 (Mon-Fri). Limited to 20 Course 2 undergraduate students per session. Both meet in 35-125A from 9-4pm. The goal of this class is to provide a physical understanding of how mechanical, pneumatic/hydraulic, thermal, and electromechanical devices operate. Approximately 20% of class time will be spent in workshops, with the remaining time spent in lab. In the workshops, the basic physics required to understand the operation of devices used in common products and engineering systems will be presented. The workshops will also introduce basic axiomatic design, modeling techniques, and methods for effective communication of information. In lab, groups consisting of 3-5 students will disassemble the devices covered in the workshops. Each group will use the knowledge gained in the workshops to mo del the operation of each device. Candidates for devices include robots, pumps, motors, gear boxes, zip drives, engines, transmissions, refrigerators, and electric hand tools. Devices which are of particular interest to students, or impractical to disassemble in lab will be examined during field trips and through short assignments. Web: http://web.mit.edu/2.972/www/home.html Contact: Martin Culpepper, 35-008, x8-8541, mculpepp@mit.edu

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Listing generated: 14-Jan-1999