Welcome to the 18 443/D443 Introduction to Process Control course. This course will be rather different to other courses that you have taken in that the course material is provided to you on CD and there will be no formal lectures (cue cheers, followed by rather worried expressions!). However, I'm not completely abdicating my responsibility for getting you through the course. Although you will be completely free to choose when you want to work on the material during a particular week, I'll be pacing you through the course on a week by week basis.
The course consists of the following elements:
The notes for this course have been provided for you in HTML format and are supplied on a CD. The same notes are also available on the University WebCT server. The CD notes can be used without an Internet connection, but the use of the WebCT version obviously requires that you are logged onto WebCT .
During the installation process from the CD you should see that you have the option of installing VisSim. VisSim is a dynamic simulation program that will allow you to build models of processes, connect them to controllers, and then see what happens. VisSim models are linked to throughout the course, allowing you to read the theory and then immediately see a dynamic simulation of the system you've just read about. You'll also be using VisSim in the 'case studies' you will have to carry out during the course.
Each week you will be expected to attend a one hour tutorial. At the tutorial, I'll be going round discussing your progress and trying to sort out any problems. I'll also be telling you where you should be in the course and warning you if I think you are lagging behind!
The timing of your tutorial sessions will be given to you during the first week of the course.
Given the different work commitments of the various members of the course it isn't going to be possible to schedule tutorial times. Instead I'll be expecting a short Email, every fortnight, from you outlining where you are in the course and asking for any help that is required. If I don't hear from you, I'll start cyber pestering you!
At significant points in the course you'll be asked to do a short quiz on the material in the course. All these tests have to be taken through the WebCT system. The results of the tests will be sent to me. Please note that the first mark I receive for a test will be the one used for assessment, although you may take the tests, for revision purposes, as many times as you like.
The purpose of the tests is to provide feedback on your progress to you and to me. If you haven't taken a test by a deadline then I'll be pestering you. If your test results show that you are struggling with some aspects of the course, then I'll Email you offering help - its up to you whether you take up the offer!
The assessment on this course will be a mix of continuous assessment and final examination. The breakdown is:
70% from the final examination
10% in total from the five quizzes (2% each)
20% from 'case studies' that will be given to you during the course. These studies will be similar to extended tutorial problems and will involve some maths and some computer simulation. I'm planning to run two during the course.
If you want to get in contact with me (other than grabbing me in the corridor!) then the variety of ways you can do it are here.