Teaching Instrumentation and Data Acquisition at the Federal University of Viçosa in Brazil

ABE 430 Instrumentation and Data Acquisition had been taught for two years at Purdue University when the Federal University of Vicosa invited the instructor to teach that course in Brazil. Based on the instructor’s experience in teaching the course there, this paper offers suggestions on how to successfully address the problems associated with teaching a hands-on laboratory course away from the home institution where the course was established. The problems included content adaptation, equipment availability, laboratory setup, scheduling, instruction methods, language barrier, funding, and a few other problems. Advantages and compromises associated with the international adaptation of the course are discussed. It is hoped that this paper will help create a model for international teaching collaboration.