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Graduate Course Proposal Form Submission Detail - CES6118
Tracking Number - 2234

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Current Status: Approved, Permanent Archive - 2010-06-22
Campus: Tampa
Submission Type: New
Course Change Information (for course changes only):
Comments: Grad Council approved 2/15/10; SCNS Liaison notified 4/6/10; Posted in Banner. Effective 8/1/10; NUMBER CHANGED FROM 6119 to 6118 - Note - incomplete course description needs correction


Detail Information

  1. Date & Time Submitted: 2009-11-06
  2. Department: Civil and Environmental Engineering
  3. College: EN
  4. Budget Account Number: 0-2104-0000
  5. Contact Person: William Carpenter
  6. Phone: 9742275
  7. Email: carpente@eng.usf.edu
  8. Prefix: CES
  9. Number: 6118
  10. Full Title: Applied Finite Elements
  11. Credit Hours: 3
  12. Section Type: C - Class Lecture (Primarily)
  13. Is the course title variable?: N
  14. Is a permit required for registration?: N
  15. Are the credit hours variable?: N
  16. Is this course repeatable?:
  17. If repeatable, how many times?: 0
  18. Abbreviated Title (30 characters maximum): Applied Finite Elements
  19. Course Online?: C - Face-to-face (0% online)
  20. Percentage Online: 0
  21. Grading Option: R - Regular
  22. Prerequisites: CES 3102 or CI
  23. Corequisites:
  24. Course Description: The course focuses on applying the finite element method to types of problems encountered in various fields of engineering. In the course, underlying theories are presented, enough hand calculations are done to ensure an understanding of the methods, and

  25. Please briefly explain why it is necessary and/or desirable to add this course: Replacing Selected Topics with Permanent number; already listed in program
  26. What is the need or demand for this course? (Indicate if this course is part of a required sequence in the major.) What other programs would this course service? Most engineering firms use some finite element program to do structural analysis. Thus, engineers, especially those with an advanced degree, should be familiar with the theory of finite elements and have experience in using a finite element program. This course fulfills this need. The course is being taught this year as a special topics course. There are 22 students. The course is scheduled for every other year. Anticipated enrollment is 20 to 30 students.
  27. Has this course been offered as Selected Topics/Experimental Topics course? If yes, how many times? Yes, 1 time
  28. What qualifications for training and/or experience are necessary to teach this course? (List minimum qualifications for the instructor.) Experience with using a commercially available finite element program.
  29. Objectives: The objectives of this course are to give students and understanding of the underlying theories behind the finite element method and to give them practical experience in using a commercially available finite element program for solving typical engineering problems.
  30. Learning Outcomes: Upon completing this course, students will:

    *Have an understanding of the theory of minimum potential energy

    *Have an understanding of the Equations of Elasticity

    *Have an understanding of the concepts of Plane Stress and Plane Strain

    *Have an understanding of how to generate element stiffness matrices

    *Have the ability to generate using the Direct Stiffness Procedure the Global Stiffness Matrix

    *Have the ability to apply boundary conditions to the Global Stiffness Equation

    *Have the ability to solve 2D and 3D problems using the ANSYS finite element program

  31. Major Topics: *Theory of Minimum Potential Energy

    *Direct Stiffness Procedure for trusses, beams, and frames

    *Equations of Elasticity and concepts of plane stress and plane strain

    *3 & 6 node triangular and isoparametric elements for 2D analysis

    *Convergence studies, automatic mesh generation

    *Solution of large equations, wave front solution algorithm

    *Plate bending analysis

    *Structural shell analysis

  32. Textbooks: Daryl L. Logan, A First Course in the Finite Element Method, Brooks/Cole 2002 ISBN 0-534-38517-6
  33. Course Readings, Online Resources, and Other Purchases: The ANSYS finite element program is available on the College of Engineering student computers
  34. Student Expectations/Requirements and Grading Policy: To make an A in the course, a student must

    *Score 90% or better on a Final Examination

    *Complete 90% or more of the homework assignments

    *complete the convergence study

    To make a B in the course, a student must

    *score 70% or better on a final examination

    *complete 70% or more of the homework assignments

    *complete the convergence study

    Students who do less than 70% of the homework assignments, who score less than 70% on the final examination, or who do not complete the convergence study will make a grade of C or lower in the course.

  35. Assignments, Exams and Tests: Detailed in the syllabus
  36. Attendance Policy: Students are encouraged to attend all class meetings.

    Attendance Policy for the Observance of Religious Days by Students: In accordance with Sections 1006.53 and 1001.74(10)(g) Florida Statutes and Board of Governors Regulation 6C-6.0115, the University of South Florida (University/USF) has established the following policy regarding religious observances: (http://usfweb2.usf.edu/usfgc/gc_pp/acadaf/gc10-045.htm)

    In the event of an emergency, it may be necessary for USF to suspend normal operations. During this time, USF may opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods that include but are not limited to: Blackboard, Elluminate, Skype, and email messaging and/or an alternate schedule. It’s the responsibility of the student to monitor Blackboard site for each class for course specific communication, and the main USF, College, and department websites, emails, and MoBull messages for important general information.

  37. Policy on Make-up Work: All work is to be completed by the end of the semester
  38. Program This Course Supports: The course supports the Dept of Civil & Environmental Engineering graduate programs, especially the Dept's Structures Geotechnical Eng and Engineer Mechanics programs Often the course is taken as an elective by graduate students in Mech and/or Chem Eng.
  39. Course Concurrence Information: Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering.


- if you have questions about any of these fields, please contact chinescobb@grad.usf.edu or joe@grad.usf.edu.