PHYSICS OF TRANSDUCERS COURSE SYLLABUS                       
                             

COURSE OBJECTIVES                      

    To learn the physics of transducers and to apply them to the 
measurement of physical variables both in a stand-alone 
configuration and by using LabVIEW software. The lab will emphasize
the use of strain gages and learning LabVIEW8. In addition several 
other variables will be measured such as pressure and temperature.
There will be extensive use of the Wheatstone Bridge, ADC, and 
construction of measurement instruments using LabVIEW8. 


COURSE CREDIT

  Two Hour Exams         30%
  Final Exam             25%
  Laboratory             35%
  Home Work, Quizzes,etc 10%

METHODOLOGY

    The lectures will be delivered using powerpoint and overhead 
slides. Occasionly we will use the internet. Questions and discussion of 
the topics is encouraged. One does not have to engage in discussion
to make an excellent grade.

    Problems will be assigned and they should be turned in usually 
within a week of being assigned. Homework and other written work 
must be turned in when due otherwise substantial late penalties 
will be assessed.

    During the first part of the course lab writeups will be handed
out later labs will be available from the course web site. These should 
be downloaded and read over before coming to lab. Several labs will 
need material from the text LABVIEW 8 Student Edition. It would be 
good to obtain a copy with a CD so that you may do exercises at home.   
 
LECTURE
  
    There will be three lectures a week taken primarily from two
texts: Sensors and Signal Conditioning 2nd ed. Ramon Pallas-Areny and 
John G. Webster (ISBN 0-471-33232-1.) and LabVIEW 8 Student Edition by
Robert H. Bishop (ISBN 0-13-199918-4.) There will be handouts, and 
class notes and one needs to download the Learning directory from the 
companion site to the LabVIEW 8 text. These contain VI examples wtitten
and tested by the author using XP Professional. 

     There will be two hour examinations based on the above material 
at times specified on the tentative schedule. Exams will be composed of 
problem or discussion questions depending on the amount and type of 
material covered. The Final Exam will be a comprehensive examination 
but will emphasize the material since the last exam. 

LABORATORY

    Laboratory work performed on the PC will be individual however you
may work in groups of two or three when equipment is short. In every 
case, when students have built circuits that are to be interfaced 
to the PC, they must be checked out by the laboratory instructor 
before connection is made to the PC. Students not following this 
procedure will receive an F for the laboratory. If laboratory 
exercises are not completed during the period, the laboratory will 
be made available for the student to complete that exercise at 
another time.

REQUIREMENTS

    Students are required to have copies of the two lecture texts: 
Sensors and Signal Conditioning and the LabVIEW 8 Student Edition.
All exams and laboratories must be completed to obtain an excellent
grade.   	

						180807