Syllabus - Computational Mechanics

Syllabus - Computational Mechanics#

ME 3255 Winter 2024#

Course Description#

This is a project-based introduction to computational mechanics. There are five modules with exercises, homeworks, and final projects. The overall goal of the course is to frame engineering problems as computational methods. Once we can communicate our engineering problems to Python code (or any other computer language) we can use standard computational methods to solve those problems.

We will work through five modules:

  1. CompMech01-Getting Started

  2. CompMech02-Analyze-data

  3. CompMech03-Initial Value Problems

  4. CompMech04-Linear Algebra

  5. CompMech05-Boundary Value Problems Bonus

Course Objectives#

This course introduces students to computational methods in Python. The course introduces numerical methods, best programming practices, and version control. These methods will be applied to a number of physics-based problems.

Course Expectations#

Students are expected to create numerical approximations for linear and nonlinear problems, understand approximations due to floating point operations and numerical approaches and solve differential equations using numerical differentiation and integration. Students are also expected to learn basics of git version control, Python functions and programming best practices.

Students are expected to work together, share resources, and build collaboratively. Any work that is turned in by an individual should reflect the student’s understanding of the material.

Students should

  • copy/paste code from textbook, then read through it to understand

  • post/share code examples and error messages

  • post/share code examples to resolve other students’ issues

  • submit work that they can explain

Students should not

  • submit other students’ work as their own

  • submit work that they do not understand (copy-pasted without reading/understanding)

Course Information#

Course Title: ME3255 - Computational Mechanics

Format: Online

Prerequisite: CE 2110 and MATH 2110 or 2130

Instructor: Prof. Ryan C. Cooper ryan.c.cooper@uconn.edu

Office Hours/Availability: by appointment https://cooperrc.github.io

Preferred Contact: Post questions and comments to Discussions

Prerequisite: CE 3110, MATH 2410Q

Tools used: Python, Jupyter, git, and GitHub

Required Resources:#

  • Computational Mechanics materials are a combination of work from Prof. Ryan C. Cooper at the University of Connecticut Mechanical Engineering Department and the Engineering Computations Modules from Prof. Lorena A. Barba and doctoral student Natalia C. Clement at the George Washington University, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department.

  • Jupyter server at nanohub is an interactive Jupyter notebook server. We will use it with Python to run our code, create documentation, and save assignments

  • GitHub If you prefer to keep your work private, you can create private repositories and share them with myself @cooperrc.

Course Videos#

@ProfRyanCooper YouTube Channel#

Prof. Cooper’s old YouTube Channel for previous recordings and more resources

Minimum Technical Skills:#

  • Ability to follow coding tutorials

  • Comfortable executing code in a prompt

  • Comfortable working in a web browser

  • Draw free body diagram and write equations of motion

  • Draw a control volume and write conservation of energy equations

  • Take derivatives and integrals of functions

Grading#

Item

Percent

Requirement

Participation

30 %

Discussion questions on GitHub+, self assessed

Homework

30 %

Complete the module problem sets

Projects

40 %

Complete the module projects and submit to GitHub

Participation: The participation grade will be self-assigned. During week 7 you will submit your current grade and modes of participation, then during the final week submit an updated final grade.

Academic Integrity:#

  • The instructors of this class have a zero-tolerance policy for academic misconduct, that is copying others’ work either in the lab, field, or on an exam. Any student work that is found to be in violation of the university policy regarding academic misconduct will be assigned a grade of zero at a minimum.

  • Read and understand The UConn Student Code of Conduct. Students will follow all University regulations concerning the final exam.

Course Schedule#

Subject to change based upon feedback and pace of course

The course schedule is kept up to date on the HuskyCT.

Grading Scale#

Explanation

Letter Grade

GPA

Excellent

A

4

A-

3.7

Very Good

B+

3.3

Good

B

3

B-

2.7

C+

2.3

Average

C

2

Fair

C-

1.7

Poor

D+

1.3

D

1

Merely Passing

D-

0.7

Failure

F

0

Due Dates and Late Policy#

All course due dates are identified in HuksyCT. Deadlines are based on Eastern Time; if you are in a different time zone, please adjust your submittal times accordingly. The instructor reserves the right to change dates accordingly as the course progresses. All changes will be communicated via the calendar or another appropriate notification.

Late Policy: You must submit something for every due date. You can resubmit any assignment to get points back, but if you miss the submission date, the grade will automatically updat to 0. If you don’t have any answers, write a question in each problem and we will give you feedback for you to resubmit the assignment.

Feedback and Grades#

We will make every effort to provide feedback and grades within 2 business days. To keep track of your performance in the course, refer to grades in HuskyCT. You can resubmit any assignment with improvements. Add a private comment to your submission when you have incorporated comments.

Student Responsibilities and Resources#

As a member of the University of Connecticut student community, you are held to certain standards and academic policies. In addition, there are numerous resources available to help you succeed in your academic work. Review these important standards, policies and resources, which include:

  • The Student Code

    • Academic Integrity

    • Resources on Avoiding Cheating and Plagiarism

  • Copyrighted Materials

  • Netiquette and Communication

  • Adding or Dropping a Course

  • Academic Calendar

  • Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment and Inappropriate Romantic

  • Relationships

  • Sexual Assault Reporting Policy

Students with Disabilities#

The University of Connecticut is committed to protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities and assuring that the learning environment is accessible. If you anticipate or experience physical or academic barriers based on disability or pregnancy, please let me know immediately so that we can discuss options. Students who require accommodations should contact the Center for Students with Disabilities, Wilbur Cross Building Room 204, (860) 486-2020 or http://csd.uconn.edu/.

Software/Technical Requirements (with Accessibility and Privacy Information)#

The software/technical requirements for this course include:

  • Modern, up-to-date web browser e.g. Chrome, Firefox, Safari (Mac OS), or Microsoft Edge

  • HuskyCT

  • Python and Jupyter

  • Adobe Acrobat Reader (Adobe Reader Accessibility Statement, Adobe Reader Privacy Policy)

  • Dedicated access to high-speed internet with a minimum speed of 1.5 Mbps (4 Mbps or higher is recommended).

  • Jupyter at nanohub

NOTE: This course was not tested or designed for mobile devices.

Help#

Technical and Academic Help provides a guide to technical and academic assistance.