ENGR 1201 Introduction to Engineering

Instructor: Dick Whipple

Email: dwhipple@swtjc.cc.tx.us

College Phone: (830) 591-7326 

Home Phone: (830) 278-3815

Website: http://www.tech.swtjc.net/whipple_online/

First Day Study for Students in ENGR 1201

I.  Mission of the Course

  1. To help you decide if an engineering, science, or mathematics career is right 
    for you.
  2. To bridge the learning gap between where you are and where you need to 
    be for success in one of these career areas.  It is important that you have 
    completed Algebra I & II,  geometry, and chemistry in high school. 
    Completion of high school and/or college  pre-Calculus  is strongly  
    recommended.  Completion of high school physics is a plus also.
  3. To further develop your problem solving skills.

II.  Pre-professional Sequence Course

This may be the first pre-professional sequence course you have taken.  As such it 
must be approached with a high degree of seriousness, not perhaps like the you might 
approach an ordinary high school or college course.  A "memorize for the test and then 
forget" attitude is unacceptable.  What you learn will be used from now on in other 
pre-professional and professional courses.  

III.  Course Syllabus 

The course syllabus is my contract with you that covers course content and 
policies.  It conveys clearly my expectations for you including what you should 
know, be able to do, and the behaviors you should exhibit to be successful.  
Review the syllabus and let me know if you have questions or concerns. 

Click here to see the syllabus.

III.  Basic Course Outline 

  1. Technology teams
  2. Academic success
  3. Personal Growth
  4. Broadening Your Education
  5. Problem Solving
  6. Computation Tools

IV.  Campus Cruiser (SWTJC Portal) Hybrid Course  

You will do assignments and tests online using Campus Cruiser (SWTJC Portal).  Therefore, you must have Internet access and be computer literate.

V.  Campus Cruiser Journals

Campus Cruiser has a built-in, private communication feature called "Journals".  I expect you to use 
Journals exclusively to communicate with me.  You should log in to Campus Cruiser and 
check your Journals every day. 

VI.  Computer and Computational Tools 

Computer and computational tools are emphasized in this course.  You will use them this 
semester and, should you continue in the Java programming course, all next semester.  
The  computer and computational tools you will use include

  1. You must have and be able to use a scientific calculator.
  2. You must have access to and be able to use Microsoft Word 2000x.
  3. While not required, Microsoft Equation 3.0 is helpful.  It is generally available as 
    an object in MS Word.
  4. The drawing tools in MS Word and Excel are pretty good and will do.
  5. You must have access to and be able to use Microsoft Excel 200x.

VII.  Paper 

While this is not a paperless course, my goal is to minimize the use of it.  Assignments and tests 
will be generally handled over the Internet.  If you submit on paper, I expect it to be on green 
engineering pad available at major office supplies in San Antonio or 4 or 5 squares to the inch 
ruled pad available at Wal-Mart (sometimes).  Before submitting anything on paper, please 
read these instructions.  Click Here

VIII. Distance Education Course

Learning at a distance has come a long way since the traditional correspondence courses used snail mail to carry lessons and class work between professor and student.  Now with the Internet and email, the same communication is blazingly fast!  By signing up for this course, you have elected to use interactive video and Campus Cruiser (SWTJC Portal) to complete the assignments and tests of ENGR 1201.  Campus Cruiser is a Internet based software application that is specifically deigned to deliver courseware on the World Wide Web.  You should already be acquainted with Campus Cruiser or the SWTJC Portal as we call it.

IX. Getting started with Campus Cruiser (SWTJC Portal)

Follow these steps:

  1. Click on the SWTJC Portal icon on the SWTJC home page.
  2. Log in.
  3. Check for class announcements.  You should find a "Welcome" announcement with instructions for an assignment for Thursday.
  4. Find ENGR 1201 in the "My Classes" section and follow the link.
  5. Click on "My Assignments" and click on "Assignment 1".
  6. If you want to communicate with me, post a new "Journal Topic on "My Journal" .

VIII. Questions

Do you have any questions?  Are you ready to get started?  I will cover Campus Cruiser basics the first week of class.  If you still have questions getting started, call me during the day 830 591-7326.

IX. Again, welcome to ENGR 1201