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If, after reading all of the information here, you decide to register for this course,

be sure to take the three steps indicated at the bottom of this page. 

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What is ENGN 45?
ENGN 45 is an introductory course in the fundamental science of materials used by engineers. Emphasis is placed on understanding the structure and properties of materials. Standard material properties are defined and explained. The processing and applications of materials is also covered. Finally, a strategy is developed for the selection and use of these materials.

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Who should take ENGN 45?

Students majoring in mechanical or civil engineering. ENGN 45 serves as a standard lower division transfer course to many schools. The prerequisite for it is ENGN 45 (Materials Science for Engineers) is completion of ENGN 10B, CHEM 101A or CHEM 103A, PHYC 4A-4AL. For specific university, engineering major and lower division course requirements visit www.assist.org.

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Is this a different course than the ENGN 45 offered on campus?

No. The online section of ENGN 45 is the exact same class as the onsite section. 

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Why take a course online?
The advantage of taking an online class is the time flexibility and the absence of a commute. However, these advantages are countered by major disadvantages, including not having the face to face contact with the instructor to get questions answered immediately and not having difficult concepts explained in person. Instead, the online student needs to rely on their own ability to gain understanding of the material through reading the textbook and doing the assignments on their own.

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You should consider your individual skills and specific situation to decide if the online option is for you. As any engineer would ask, "Do the benefits outweigh the cost?"

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What type of student takes ENGN 45 online?

The online student must have excellent time management and organizational skills. They take responsibility for their own learning process. They are able to read a textbook and learn from it. They complete all assignments on schedule. They realize when they understand a concept, and more importantly, when they do not. They are able to articulate, in writing, any questions that they may have so that they can submit them via email. It goes without saying that the online student needs convenient internet access and comfort with the computer interface. 

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How much time an online student expected to spend on the course?
An online course does not mean that you are free to learn at your own pace. You must keep up with the course schedule!

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Materials Science has 2 lecture unit (2 hours/week) and 1 lab unit (3 hours/week), which, according to college guidelines, requires 6-9 hours/week of work outside of the classroom. Counting the class time an onsite section would include, the online student needs to spend 9 - 12 hours/week working on the class. This course is more challenging than most, so a student may need to spend even more time than the stated guidelines.  

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If you enroll for this course, you should plan on spending at least two hours per day, 5 days per week working on it. Anything less is certain failure. If you cannot carve out that kind of time commitment in your schedule, please do not enroll for this course.

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What is required of the online ENGN 45 student?

Since this is an online class most, but not all, of the work will be done remotely via the online server.
Students are expected to log in almost daily for their weekly readings and homework assignments. 

As stated above, students are expected to spend at least 9-12 hours per week working on this course.

There are 10 quizzes, 8 lab reports and 1 research paper (5-10 pages) due at various points throughout the semester, all submitted online.

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Additionally there are 6 mandatory on-campus meetings during the semester:

• 1 one-hour mandatory orientation in Week 1
  
• 3 eight-hour laboratory sessions in Weeks 5, 10 and 14
  
• 1 two-hour midterm examination in Week 9
• 1 two-hour final examination in Week 18 (Cumulative)

How does the online environment work?

Once you are registered for an online class a login and password will be sent to you so that you can access your course. You will see further information once you login. If you have any difficulty, contact me.

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Am I ready to take an course online?
To determine if you are ready for an online class go to this site:
http://www.ccsf.edu/Departments/Distance_Education/self_eval.htm

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What if I still have questions?

Contact me!

(415) 239-3159

I've decided that I want to take this class.  What should I do now?

1. Register for ENGN 45 through the Office of Admissions and Records. 

2. Attend the mandatory orientation session.

3. Start working! Hard! If you want to get an early start you can read the ENGN 45 course syllabus.

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If you decide that this course is right for you, I look forward to meeting you at the orientation session.

And don't forget to come:

Mandatory Orientation Session in first week of semester!

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Wynd Kaufmyn, Engineering Instructor

Engineering and Technology Department

City College of San Francisco

wkaufmyn@ccsf.edu

http://fog.ccsf.edu/~wkaufmyn