535.635.31 - Introduction to Mechatronics

Course Structure

This course is structured as a series of short lectures, laboratory exercises, and a group final project. During the first portion of the course, homework assignments and/or laboratory write-ups will be given to reinforce concepts taught in class. The second portion of the course will focus on a team project where groups will design, construct, and test a mechatronic device to accomplish a specific task or challenge. Assignments during this portion of the course will primarily consist of project documentation.

The course is intended to be very hands-on. Therefore, class participation and regular attendance is vital for student success. Students are expected to engage with each other and the instructors during laboratory and project development sessions.

Course Topics

Course topics will be based on the experience and interests of the students and are subject to change.
However, the following basic areas will be covered:

• Actuator technologies (brushed/brushless motors, servos, other electromechanical actuators)
• Sensor technologies (range finders, encoders, light sensors, limit switches, etc.)
• Embedded programming with Arduino
• Introduction to feedback control loops
• Finite state machines
• Digital and analog control of actuators and sensors

Course Goals

To understand how electronic systems and microcontrollers can be used to control various actuators and sense the environment. Students will then apply that knowledge to design and prototype mechatronic systems in labs and a final project.

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks for the course. Recommended and supplemental reading material will be suggested, as needed.

Required Software

The Arduino IDE is recommended and is available on lab computers. It may also be downloaded and installed on personal computers. (https://www.arduino.cc/en/software)

MATLAB may be used for a few assignments. If you would like access to MATLAB on a personal computer, you may take advantage of the MATLAB Total Academic Headcount (TAH) license. This license is provided at no cost to you. Send an email to software@jhu.edu to request your license file/code. Please indicate that you need a standalone file/code. You will need to provide your first and last name, as well as your Hopkins email address. You will receive an email from Mathworks with instructions to create a Mathworks account. The MATLAB software will be available for download from the Mathworks site.

Student Coursework Requirements

This course will include homework assignments, laboratory exercises, a final project demonstration, and laboratory/project documentation. Grades will be assigned with the following weights:

• Class Preparation & Participation 20%
• Individual Lab & Homework Assignments 30%
• Final Project Demonstration & Documentation 50%

All written assignments will be graded and returned as quickly as possible. I will strive to return them before the next assignment is due.

Grading Policy

• A grade of A+/A/A- indicates achievement of consistent excellence and distinction throughout the course—that is, conspicuous excellence in all aspects of assignments and discussion.
• A grade of B+/B/B- indicates work that meets all course requirements on a level appropriate for graduate academic work. These criteria apply to both undergraduates and graduate students taking the course.
• A grade of C+/C/C- indicates a limited satisfactory level of work for the course.
• A grade of D+ or lower indicates an unacceptable level of work for the course.
  

Late/Missed Assignments

• All assignments are due at the beginning of class on their assigned due date.
• Late assignments will be accepted with a 10% penalty per day late.
• Final project reports will not be accepted late (unless prior approval is received).

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.