TEACHING A SENIOR-LEVEL MECHATRONICS COURSE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

ABSTRACT This paper discusses our common experiences teachingtwo similar mechatronics courses as senior-level electivesoffered in departments of mechanical and industrial engineer-ing. Both courses foster an integrated, multidisciplinary,systems-level approach for the design of a physical device orsystem process, in contrast to the sequential application ofmechanical, electrical and computer design techniques.Engineering skills and state-of-the-art technologies arebalanced to create a design-oriented course with theoreticalcontent and practical applications. In addition to lecture, thereis heavy reliance on simulation studies, in-class demonstrations,project-based assignments, and “case studies” that emphasizemultidisciplinary system approaches for design. Theseapproaches have been well received by the mix of mechanicalengineering, electrical engineering, and biomedical engineeringstudents enrolled. Our course philosophy, approach andimplementation are outlined the paper. INTRODUCTION