Programming for Engineers Syllabus for 2025-2026
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Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Enrollment Center, Suite 700. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

ENGR-2304-001 Programming for Engineers

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: MATH 2413 - minimum grade of C or department chair consent

Course Description

Programming principles and techniques for matrix and array operations, equation solving, and numeric simulations applied to engineering problems and visualization of engineering information; platforms include spreadsheets, symbolic algebra packages, engineering analysis software and laboratory control software.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Introduction to VBA for Excel, 2nd Ed, Steven Chapra

Supplies

Required Materials:

• Pencils
• Pens
• Erasers
• Graphing or Scientific Calculator
• Paper (Engineering Paper)
• Flash Drive (4 GB Min.)

Optional: Educational Edition of Microsoft Office

Student Performance

After completing this course, the student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the following topics with 70% accuracy as evaluated by the engineering faculty.

1. Use matrix and array operations for equation solving.

2. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the conventional programming languages.

3. Use spreadsheets and their built-in features to solve a variety of engineering problems, applying both quantitative and qualitative methodologies.

4. Describe methods for the design of programs that control equipment and analyze data. 

5. Write computer programs to solve engineering problems and perform engineering simulations using common software tools. 

6. Graphically present engineering data , results, and conclusions.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Students are expected to behave in the classroom in a manner that is supportive of the learning environment. Behaviors that are not supportive include, but are not limited to: tardiness/leaving early; electronic device noises; texting or using electronic devices for non-course related activities during the lecture; talking during the lecture; abusive, offensive, and/or disrespectful language or demeanor toward AC faculty, staff, students, and/or Amarillo College property.

Students who fail to comply with the standards outlined in the syllabus and/or AC's Student Rights & Responsibilities document will be subject to disciplinary action which may include, but is not limited to: removal from the classroom; consultation with the Math, Engineering & Physical Sciences Department Chair and/or other AC authority; withdrawal from the course and/or Amarillo College.

Zero tolerance cheating policy.

For a full discussion of appropriate behavior and student responsibilities, please refer to the Student Rights & Responsibilities Handbook. http://www.actx.edu/admission/files/filecabinet/folder2/Student_R_R_07_Hyper.pdf

Tips for doing well in class

1. ATTEND CLASSES.
Regular attendance will be the greatest factor in achieving success in this course.

2. Look over the schedule and read over upcoming material. 
The early exposure will greatly help in understanding the material when we cover it in class.

3. Review material soon after the conclusion of each lecture. 
This will help with retention and understanding of the material.

4. Don't fall behind. 
Procrastination is an easy thing to do. 
It's all fun and games until you've been up all night, realize the sun is coming up, and you still have work to do...

5. Start strong.
The start of each class is generally the easiest. 
That's a terrible excuse to "coast" at the beginning. It forms bad habits that tend to persist through the semester.
Hit it hard from the get go. You'll see it pay off toward the end when every point starts to count. 

6. Be prepared. 
At minimum each day you'll need:
A good pencil/pen
Eraser
Notebook/Paper
Calculator
Textbook
(Flash drive)

7. Make friends! 
Engineering is a team effort! 
Talk to your classmates, trade contact info, work together, and form study groups.
You're not alone in this.

8.Do your best work in this class, work you can be proud of.

9. Think positively. You yourself should be your greatest cheerleader. 

10.Work smart. 
Problems in engineering tend to have multiple solutions.
Keep It Simple Stupid.

11. The only stupid question is the one not asked.
Engineers are expected to have the right answers, not all of the answers.
It is perfectly okay to not know something. 
Knowing things is relative and based on experience. 
Don't ever assume something is "common" knowledge. So don't be embarrassed about not knowing something.

Finally, 
Engineering is a brutal path to walk. There really is no sugarcoating it.
It requires a lot from a person: sacrifice, time, stress, dedication, passion, and that will to fight on.
Despite the difficulty and ordeal, it truly is one of the most rewarding paths you can take.
You'll succeed, and you'll fail. You'll have the best day of your studies, you'll have your worst day.
When you succeed, be proud. 
When you fail, learn and keep going.
You're not the first to walk this path, nor the last. 
Like those before you: believe in yourself, take failure in stride, and most importantly...

Don't give up. 

Grading Criteria

The final grades of A (90-100), B (80-89), C (70-79), D (60-69), and F (below 60) will be computed as the average of the earned grades as follows:

Grading Scheme (Subject to Change)

Homework

Everyday, you will need to download the required student Spreadsheet from Blackboard. We will work example problems on this spreadsheet in class. The homework is also on the spreadsheet. Once the homework is completed, you will upload the spreadsheet to the correct homework assignment location on Blackboard. The instructor will both grade the homework and check that the in-class exercises are complete. If you are absent from class, you will need to complete the in-class exercise by yourself to get full credit for the homework assignment.

Exams

There will be 3 exams in this course. All exams be taken during scheduled class time. Exams will be open book, open written notes. The only window allowed open on the computer will be the exam Excel spreadsheet. Exams will be digital and must be completed using the classroom computers, not a personal machine. Files will be submitted to the instructor through BlackBoard or email. Follow instructor instructions for how to submit exam files.

Exams must be completed neatly and legibly. All code must be properly commented. Work needs to be shown in a logical format. Partial credit WILL be received for proper recognition of the problem and solution setup. Partial credit can be given even if you do not finish the problem or solve the problem incorrectly. If in doubt, write out a code attempt even if it does not compile or run properly.

The Exams will be specifically selected questions that exemplify the most important concepts covered in the lectures. The problems will be similar to the homework. The instructor highly recommends understanding how to solve every problem from the homework. 

Final Exam

The final exam will be comprehensive and of the same format as the exams.

Attendance

Course Policy
Regular attendance is required in this class.

• If you don't regularly attend class and do HW and quizzes you will not pass
• When in class, you are expected to be attentive and involved.
• Be on time.

In the event of absence students are expected to notify the professor with the date, class section, and reason of absence.

• Failure to notify the professor will result in a penalty.

Lecture:
In-Class and group work makes your regular, timely, attendance important. 

Attendance is essential for successful completion of the course. In order to promote consistent attendance, classwork is regularly assigned and in-class quizzes may be periodically given.

Missed in-class assignments and in-class quizzes can not be not be made up.

If you do not come to class on or before the Census date, you will be administratively dropped from the class.  Please remember the deadline for withdrawing from this 16-week course is 4/23/26. If you stop attending class and do not officially drop the course by this deadline, and your final average is below a 60, you will receive an F for the course.

Below is the tentative course calendar. (Subject to Change)

Calendar

Additional Information

The best way to contact me is during office hours or via email. Hard work, positive attitude and team work are expected. Remember, as an engineer, you are a problem solver!

If you need help outside of class, please visit me during office hours or go to the Math Academic Success Center. See the hours shown below:

Math Academic Success Center
In Person:  Monday – Friday: 8 AM – 8 PM,   Saturday: 9 AM – 8 PM

Math Testing Center

Mon. - Thurs: 9 AM - 10 PM, Friday 9 AM - 8 PM & Sat.: 9 AM -  6 PM

AMARILLO COLLEGE ADVOCACY AND RESOURCE CENTER (ARC)

Located Ware Student Commons Suite 108 for walk-in services. For any questions, please call 806-371-5446 or email thearc@actx.edu. Website located at https://www.actx.edu/arc/student-resources.

Provides assistance and resources for:

• Caregiver Resources
• Childcare Resources
• Parenting Assistance
• Housing Assistance
• Food Assistance
• Affordable Clothing
• Transportation Assistance
• Substance Abuse Resources
• Mental Health Resources
• LBGTQ+ Resources
• Veteran Resources
• and more

If there are any barriers to you succeeding in this course, privately let the instructor know. I am here to help you succeed.