Introduction to Engineering Syllabus for 2026-2027
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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.

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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.

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Statement on State-Authorized Courses at Amarillo College

For-credit academic and workforce education courses offered at Amarillo College are limited to the course options available in the statewide inventory for two-year public institutions. Courses in the state-authorized lower-division Academic Course Guide Manual and Workforce Education Course Manual have specific descriptions that prescribe course content and may include specific student learning outcomes. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) maintains and regularly updates these manuals. Amarillo College faculty and leaders ensure that these courses are aligned with THECB guidelines and evaluated based on student performance outcomes. Students enrolled in these courses are expected to engage with and learn course content. According to the AC Board of Regents Policy Manual, "faculty members are entitled to academic freedom in the conduct of research and teaching and are tasked with the associated responsibilities" (DGC). Students are entitled to academic freedom in the classroom, as well, and faculty "must not attempt to force on students a personal viewpoint and must at all times allow diversity of opinion" (Amarillo College Academic Affairs Manual).

Course

ENGR-1201-003 Introduction to Engineering

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: MATH 1314 with a minimum grade of C.

Course Description

An introduction to the engineering profession with emphasis on technical communication and team-based engineering design.

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

Hours

(2 sem hrs 1 lec 3 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

eTextbook  or hard copy textbook is required

Engineering Fundamentals - An Introduction To Engineering, 7th Edition by Saeed Moaveni

Hard copy Textbook - ISBN: 978-0-357-68441-2

Loose-leaf Edition - ISBN: 978-0-357-68457-3

Supplies

Required: 

• pencil / eraser
• 6" ruler
• calculator
• paper (engineering paper)

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. Describe the engineering profession and engineering ethics, including professional practice and licensure.
2. Use technical communication skills to explain the analysis and results of introductory laboratory exercises in engineering.
3. Explain the engineering analysis and design process.
4. Analyze data collected during laboratory exercises designed to expose students to the different engineering disciplines.
5. Describe the impact engineering has had on the modern world.
6. As part of a team, design a simple engineering device, write a design report and present the design.
7. Demonstrate computer literacy.

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

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)

Assignments

Homework, labs, and tests will occur throughout the semester. Teams will be designated for work on labs, as well as the final project. During group work, all students are expected to engage, participate, and contribute.

Tests will typically occur at the first of class.

Assigned homework is expected to be turned in at the beginning of class.

 Assignment Policy

Late assignments not accepted. Written assignments should appear professional as stated below and the solution should flow in a logical manner. 

• Completed on 8.5" x 11" engineering paper, unless instructor advised.
• Writing is to be legible, with correct spelling and grammar.
• Only write on the front of each page.
• Submit your own work, however, problem solving in groups is encouraged. 

ALL HOMEWORK IS TO FOLLOW THE FOLLOWING FORMAT REGARDLESS OF THE TYPE OF PROBLEM.

GIVEN: 
State clearly and concisely the problem description. 
FIND: 
State briefly what is to be determined. 

SOLUTION:
Show all work including units.
List assumptions, formulas, and equations.
Progression to the solution show be supported. 
Box the final answer.

Presentations

The midterm project will be a video presentation related to engineering forensics. Near the end of the semester, there will be a group design project with a video presentation and in-class demonstration.

Final Exam

Absence from the final exam will incur a zero (0) unless the student has received prior approval from the instructor or there is an emergency that could not be circumvented. 

There is a zero tolerance policy for cheating.

Grading

Partial credit will only be given if the student work is logically developed, with clear and well-marked diagrams, with the appropriate fundamental and auxiliary equations prominently displayed, where the substitutions into the equations are quite clear, and the assumptions used are quite obvious to the grader. It is the student’s responsibility to present his/her work so clearly that the grader can quickly ascertain the location and nature of the error(s) and can easily follow the subsequent work through to the now incorrect solution of the problem.  Thus, the student’s contribution, needed to obtain partial credit, is to be able to clearly lead the grader through the student’s thought process on the exam page alone.

Design Project

The design project will be completed in groups assigned by the instructor. A video presentation will be submitted. Each group's project video will be reviewed in class along with an in-class demonstration of the design. Each group will field class questions. 

Attendance

Attendance is essential for successful completion of this course. In order to promote consistent attendance, class work is regularly assigned. Late work will not be accepted.

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 Tuesday, November 24, 2026. 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 projected course calendar.

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.