An integrated undergraduate dynamic systems teaching methodology utilizing analytical and experimental approaches

Abstract

The problem in teaching undergraduates basic dynamic systems analysis is that all of the course material that leads up to this upper level course is typically taught in a disjointed fashion. A new variation of this course along with the prerequisite courses has been adopted in the UMASS Lowell Mechanical Engineering program. An interwoven, multi-semester approach has been used and has progressively evolved over the past several years. The new approach integrates materials that are taught in Differential Equations, Mathematical Methods for Engineers, Mechanical Laboratory courses and then onto the Dynamic Systems course. Some novel approaches for presenting the material along with hands-on experimentally acquired data have been developed. The Response Under Basic Excitation (RUBE) online experiment along with all of the supporting analytical and virtual tools that have been developed over the past several years under an NSF funded project are described in this paper. All materials are available online at http://dynsys.uml.edu/. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2007.