Syllabus for CTR-211-OL

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Electronic Instrumentation and Control is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of the concepts related to industrial electronics and control systems. Students are exposed to industrial semiconductors, AC and DC motors, discrete and analog process control, switches and sensors, control systems, and principles of automation.

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COURSE OBJECTIVES

After successfully completing Electronic Instrumentation and Control, you should be able to:

• Course Objective 1 Create, describe, and utilize block diagrams and relay logic diagrams in industrial applications.



• Course Objective 2 Explain the operation of operational amplifiers used for amplification, arithmetic operations, and filtering processes.



• Course Objective 3 Describe the operation of silicon-controlled rectifiers (SCRs), applying the parameters of their data sheet for circuit design.



• Course Objective 4 Describe the differences and applications of sensors applied to industrial settings.



• Course Objective 5 Match different types of sensors to their intended industrial application.



• Course Objective 6 Develop a safety strategy, including risk assessment, risk elimination, and hazard minimization.



• Course Objective 7 Define and calculate the critical parameters of DC and AC motors, explaining their operation.



• Course Objective 8 Describe the various concepts related to microcontrollers and their development systems.



• Course Objective 9 Describe the different methods for control systems.



• Course Objective 10 Utilize the most appropriate control system method for a specific industrial application.



• Course Objective 11 Define the critical components of a PLC.



• Course Objective 12 Create and describe logic ladder diagrams as applied to PLC systems.



• Course Objective 13 Differentiate between servo and non-servo robots.



• Course Objective 14 Explain the differences between transmission media.

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REQUIRED TEXTBOOK

You will need the following textbook to complete the work of the course. The textbook is available from the textbook supplier, MBS Direct.

Industrial Electronics, by James A. Rehg and Glenn J. Sartori (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2006).
ISBN-13: 978-0-558-37530-0

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COURSE STRUCTURE

Electronic Instrumentation and Control is a three-credit, online course consisting of six assignment modules. Each module is built around chapters in your textbook. At the end of each module you will complete a written assignment. In addition to your written assignments you are also required to participate in four (4) group study activities that will take place online. You are required to take a midterm examination and complete a final project in the form of a case study.

For the course's assignment modules (study assignments, group study activities, and written assignments), go to the Assignment Modules area of the course Web site.

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ONLINE PARTICIPATION

Electronic Instrumentation and Control has four (4) graded group study activities. There is also an ungraded but required discussion in Module 1 titled "Introductions." All class discussions take place on the class Discussion Board.

Communication among fellow students and with the mentor is a critical component of online learning. Participation in the group study activities involves two distinct activities: an initial response to a discussion question and subsequent contributions as part of a group effort to formulate an answer. Each group study assignment gives instructions for completing this activity.

You will be evaluated on the quality and quantity of your participation, including your use of relevant course information to support your point of view, and your awareness of and responses to the postings of your classmates. Remember, these are group activities. Responses and comments should be properly proofread and edited, professional, and respectful.

For additional information on online discussions, see Online Discussions in the Online Student Handbook.

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WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS

Electronic Instrumentation and Control has six (6) written assignments, one for each of the six modules that make up the course.

Each written assignment assesses your comprehension of the textbook reading. Assignments consist both of problems from the text and additional questions designed to help you reach the module and course objectives.

Take the time to familiarize yourself with the Assignment Modules area of the course Web site, and read through the written assignment questions before you begin each lesson. Your answers to the assignment questions should be well developed and convey your understanding of the course materials.

Prepare your written assignments using whatever word processing program you have on your computer. Include your name at the top of the paper, as well as the course name and code and the semester and year in which you are enrolled.

Before submitting your first assignment, check with your mentor to determine whether your word processing software is compatible with your mentor's software. If so, you can submit your work as you prepared it. If not, save your assignment as a rich-text (.rtf) file, using the Save As command of your software program. Rich text retains basic formatting and can be read by any other word processing program.

When satisfied that your assignment represents your best work, submit it to your mentor by means of the

>>View/Complete Assignment

link provided at the bottom of the respective assignment page. Use the Browse button within this link to locate and attach your assignment file. Click to turn in the assignment.

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MIDTERM EXAMINATION

This course requires you to take a proctored midterm examination.

The midterm examination consists of problems similar to the ones featured in your written assignments and group study activities. There will also be definitions and essay questions about various concepts discussed in the text.

The examination is two hours in duration. The examination is closed-book, but you are permitted to bring a scientific calculator with you, as you will need it to solve the some of the problems. You are also permitted to take with you to the exam an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of formulas only. You will need to prepare this sheet ahead of time and bring it with you on the day of the exam.

You may take the examination only during the designated exam week, at an approved location, and with an approved proctor. In this regard, you need to schedule your exam and submit your "Proctor Request Form" with the necessary documentation no later than the end of the first week of the semester (see Administrative Forms in the General Information area of the course Web site). For more information on scheduling examinations, see the section Examinations and Proctors in the Online Student Handbook.

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FINAL PROJECT

You are required at the end of the semester to submit a final project in the form of a case study. This case study involves solving different problems related to control systems that could be used to maintain certain water levels in a 500-gallon tank.

The project is available to you in this course space throughout the duration of the course. It is recommended that as you complete your reading and written assignments for Module 5, you familiarize yourself with the questions associated with the case study.