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SPECIAL FEATURES

ME 5228

Lecture:  T,Th, 9:05-11:00 AkerH 209   (Sue Mantell, office ME 303, smantell@me.umn.edu, 625-1324)

Teaching Assistant:

Course Website: http://www.me.umn.edu/courses/me5228

Objective:  This is an introductory level course in the fundamentals of the finite element method for engineers and scientists.  The course will emphasize the numerical techniques behind the finite element method. 

Course Outline:

I.                    Introduction to mathematical concepts

II.                  Weighted integral and weak formulations of differential equations

III.                FE formulation of second order equations in one dimension (i.e., heat transfer, flow through porous media, axial deformation of a bar, and electrostatics)

IV.                FE formulation of beam bending problems

V.                  Convergence and errors in finite element analysis

VI.                Numerical integration and computer implementation

VII.              Interpolation functions

VIII.            FE formulation of two dimensional problems with a  single variable (i.e., heat transfer, torsion of members with a constant cross section, electrostatics)

TEXTBOOK:   J.N. Reddy, An Introduction to the Finite Element Method, 2^nd Edition, McGraw Hill, 1993. (ISBN             0-07-051355-4)

PREREQUISITES:      

 Linear/Matrix Algebra, Ordinary Differential Equations, knowledge of a structured programming language (Fortran, C, C++, or Matlab)

GRADING:          

                                Homeworks                                                                                             30%

                                Exams  (2)                                                                                                30%

                                Final Exam (Tues, December 16, 2003; 10:30 am -12:30 pm)             30%

                                Project                                                                                                      10%

                Grades will be based on a percentile scale as follows:

                A:  90-100%, B:  80-89 %, C:  70-79 %, D:  60-69 %

                +/- grades will be assigned within these groupings.

                                Once a graded exam has been returned you have up to 5 days to request a regrade.  The regrade request must be submitted in writing and the discrepancy clearly described.  The entire document however is subject to regrade and not just the question in dispute.

EXAMS: Only a one page "cheat" sheet will be allowed for exams. Please see the lecture schedule for exam dates and topics. 

HOMEWORK POLICY:  Homework assignments are designed to prepare you for the exams.  Homework will be due on Fridays by 2pm.  You may turn in your homework during class (on Thursday) or to Prof. Mantell’s office (ME303).  Please do not turn in any homework to an open mailbox as it is not secure (in the past homework has been taken from an open mailbox). Solutions will be posted on the web by the following Monday. Homework will be graded on a scale of 0-10.  Several problems will be randomly selected and graded in their entirety. The overall homework grade will be based on (1) completeness of the assignment (i.e. all problems completed)-3pts, (2) solution method employed on the selected problems-4 pts, and (3) correctness of the answer to the selected problems 3pts.  Your lowest homework score will be discarded.  If you miss a homework, it will count as your discarded score.  No late homeworks (after 2:00 pm on Friday) will be accepted.

PROJECT:  The project will be assigned at midsemester.

INCOMPLETES:  The grade of "I" is awarded only in the case of exceptional and verifiable severe illness or tragedy.  An "I" will not be awarded because you are doing poorly in the class.  You must have completed all but a small portion of the work of the course for an "I" to be considered.  The assignment of an I grade requires a written agreement between the instructor and student specifying the time and manner in which the student will complete the course requirements during the student’s next period of enrollment.

CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE: The work you turn in must be clearly recognizable as your own.   Plagiarism includes copying “word for word” or paraphrasing very closely text found in a book, journal article, or classmate’s lab write-up.  The minimum penalty for plagiarism is receiving a “0” for the entire assignment.  In addition, a letter documenting the offense will be sent to the IT Conduct Code Coordinator.  If more than one offense is recorded in the Conduct Code file, I will recommend probation, suspension or expulsion from the Institute of Technology.

Review the Conduct and Discipline Statement available at the web site:  www.it.umn.edu/students/courses/scholpol.html. University policy prohibits sexual harassment as defined in the 5/17/84 policy statement. Copies of the statement are available at 419 Morrill Hall. Complaints of sexual harassment should be reported to the University Office of Equal  Opportunity, 419 Morrill Hall.

CLASS ATTENDANCE:  While attendance will not be taken, attendance at all lectures and recitations is expected. You will be held responsible for all material presented in lecture and recitations.  Some material will be presented in the recitations that will not be covered in lecture.  The instructor and the teaching assistants will not provide copies of notes for any missed lectures or recitations.