BAElogo
BAE 200: COMPUTER METHODS IN BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
Instructor: Dr. Mike Burchell


Schedule

Supplemental info

Other links

http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/people/faculty/mrburche/
http://www.courses.ncsu.edu/bae200/

Class
Tuesday 8:55-9:45 a.m. -  125 Weaver Labs

Laboratory
  Section 201: Tuesday 10:15-12:05 p.m. -  1105 Grinnells
 Section 202: Tuesday 1:30-3:20 p.m. -  1105 Grinnells

Instructor:
 Dr. Mike Burchell
Office:
 210 Weaver Labs Administration Bldg.
Phone:
 919-513-7372
e-mail:
 mike_burchell@ncsu.edu
Office Hours:
   9:00-10:00 a.m. Wed/Friday or by appointment.

 
TA:
 Tiffany Messer
Office:
 115 Weaver Labs
e-mail:
 tlgraham@ncsu.edu
Office Hours:
 10:30 - 12 pm Wed/Fri
   
TA:
 Stacy Luell
Office:
 134-G Weaver Labs
e-mail: skluell@ncsu.edu
Office Hours:
  TBD

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Students develop computer-based problem solving techniques to solve introductory problems in Biological Engineering. Emphasis is on developing solution algorithms and implementing these with spreadsheets, equation solvers, and computer programming.

Specific objectives are for the students to:

1.  List and apply the steps to solve real-world engineering problems

2.  Clearly identify inputs and outputs required for solving engineering problems

3.  Develop and test solution algorithms, initially by hand

4.  Utilize sound computer programming techniques to implement solution algorithms that are     more complex and/or require numerous inputs

5.  Build a strong foundation in the utilization of MATLAB, TK!Solver, and Excel 2007 for problem solving, data analysis, and graphical representation of results. These skills will be used in future engineering courses and during their post-baccalaureate engineering career

TEXTBOOKS, LAPTOPS and SOFTWARE:

Required textbook:

Engineering Computations -An Introduction using MATLAB and EXCEL by Musto, Howard and Williams. 2009 ISBN: 978-0-07-338016-2.  Copies available at the NCSU Bookstore

An on-line and downloadable version is available for $41.25.  It can be purchased at http://www.coursesmart.com/  and searching the author "Musto".  You can print off copies from either version.  However your access to this resource will expire after a predetermined time (see website for details.
Laboratory handouts and in-class materials for all portions of the class will be provided on-line at least one-day prior and should be printed out by the students BEFORE class.

Laptop computers will be expected to be brought to most class sessions as this will allow for hands-on instruction.  Computers located in Grinnells will be used for laboratory sessions.

COE students, or students enrolled in COE classes, should have the student version of Matlab r2009a installed on their personal computers by ITECS free-of-cost before the first class.  Students can go to <http://www.eos.ncsu.edu/software/install/> to schedule their Matlab installation appointment and at the time of the appointment, take their computers to the ITECS helpdesk at 200 Page Hall for Matlab installation.

Students should also have Excel 2007 installed on their laptops prior to class.

Policies and Procedures:

1. Communication. All students must have access to the Eos/Engineering computing system. I will communicate with the class through email and will be using whatever email address you have on file with registration and records. Please make your unity email account your “official” university account. To change the account listed by registration and records you can call 5-2572 and request a change. It is your responsibility to make sure the University has your correct e-mail address and that your account is working and can accept e-mail. If you have problems with a University email account you should contact ITECS help desk 200 Page Hall (5-2458, eoshelp@ncsu.edu).

2. Class Attendance: Attendance is required for both the class and laboratory. Your attendance average (lecture+lab) will contribute to your final grade. In all cases, try to contact the instructor prior to the absence if possible. Excused absences are defined in NCSU's attendance policy:
http://www.ncsu.edu/policies/academic_affairs/pols_regs/REG205.00.4.php.

3. Students with Disabilities: Reasonable accommodations will be made for any student with a verifiable disability. In order to take advantage of available accommodations, students must register with Disability Services at 1900 Student Health Center, Campus Box 7509, 515-7653. See Disability Services for Students for more information:
(www.ncsu.edu/provost/offices/affirm_action/dss/).
For additional information on NC State's policy on working with students with disabilities, please see the Handbook for Teaching and Advising:
(http://www.ncsu.edu/provost/hat/current/appendix/appen_k.html)

4. Homework is required. There will be approximately one homework/laboratory per week. Each assignment will be graded. Homework is due on Tuesdays at 5 pm. Late homework will be accepted up until Friday at 5 pm with a daily penalty of 10%. After this deadline, the assignment will be graded a ZERO.

5. Tests and Final Exam: There will be three tests and a final exam. The first two tests will cover material presented since the previous test. The third test will be a laboratory practical consisting of programming exercises. The final exam is comprehensive and students can contract to use the final exam to substitute for the lowest score of the first two tests. They must submit their intentions prior to the final exam.

Tests or final exam missed without approved absence as defined by NCSU’s attendance policy (http://www.ncsu.edu/policies/academic_affairs/pols_regs/REG205.00.4.php) will be dealt with individually. If a student misses the final without a valid excuse, a zero will be awarded.

6. HONESTY AND INTEGRITY: Students are expected to adhere to the guidelines for academic integrity as outlined in the NCSU Code of Student Conduct: (http://www.ncsu.edu/student_affairs/osc/code_conduct/). 

Students will be encouraged to work closely together during in-class activities.  Students may also reasonably confer with each other during homework assignments.  However, when submitted, all outside-class assignments are assumed to represent individual work and the honor pledge must be upheld.  If submissions appear duplicated in any way, at a minimum, the first violation will result in loss of credit for the entire assignment.

Cheating during in-class tests will be strictly monitored.  By nature of using laptops it may seem more alluring to hide information and code for use during the test.  The tests will be closely proctored.  Any student caught attempting to cheat in this manner will be dealt with as recommended by the NCSU Code, so consider this your warning.

7. The Final Average for determining your grade will be computed as follows:

Attendance and in-class activities:
10%
Homework and lab assignments:
25%
Tests (3):
45%
Final Exam (Comprehensive):
20%

8. Final Letter Grades: Final letter grades will be assigned as follows:

Range
Grade
Range
Grade
Range
Grade
97<Average<=100
A+
93<Average<97
A
90<Average<93
A-
87<Average<90
B+
83<Average<87
B
80<Average<83
B-
77<Average<80
C+
73<Average<77
C
70<Average<73
C-
67<Average<70
D+
63<Average<67
D
60<Average<63
D-
 



Below 60
F

9. Instructor Evaluation: It is important for you to evaluate the instructor and the course.  Based on your constructive feedback, I can improve the course as well as my teaching style. Online class evaluations will be available for students to complete during the last two weeks of class (November 19-December 9). Students will receive an email message directing them to a website where they can login using their Unity ID and complete evaluations. All evaluations are confidential; instructors will never know how any one student responded to any question, and students will never know the ratings for any particular instructors.

Evaluation website: https://classeval.ncsu.edu
More information about ClassEval: http://www2.acs.ncsu.edu/UPA/classeval/index.htm