Office Hours (as listed or by appointment)
MWF: 0915-1100 (tentative)

Computer-Aided Chemical Engineering

Lecture: Mon&Wed: 0800-0850 ROSS 306
Lab: Tues&Thurs: 0800-0920 ROSS 306

CHEN 3600 (3) Lec. 2, Lab. 3.
Prerequisites: COMP 1200, MATH 2650. Completion of CHEN 2610 with a grade of C or higher.

Course Description: Systematic approach to solving chemical engineering problems using analytical
and synthetic approaches. Effective communication of problem solution and recommendations
using established formats for writing elements. General and structured programming concepts, introductory probability and statistics concepts. Application to chemical engineering problems involving material and energy balances and transport process, data validation and analysis.

[1] Palm, Introduction to MATLAB (R) for Engineers, Third Ed., McGraw Hill, 2011, ISBN: 978007353487-9.
[2] MATLAB (R) Student Edition Software Package.
[3] Flash drive (suitable for storage of MATLAB and other files exclusively for CHEN 3600).

[1] Press et al., Numerical Recipes in C: The Art of Scientific Computing, Third Ed., Cambridge University Press, 2007.
[2] Rice and Do, Applied Mathematics for Chemical Engineers, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 1995.
[3] Felder and Rousseau, Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, 3rd Edition, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 2005.

GTA: Alexander D. Haywood
E-Mail: adh0017@tigermail.auburn.edu
Office: Ross 329
Office Hours: email for an appointment (usually available M-F 11am-5pm)

Course Objectives: The overall goals of the course are to provide a solid introduction to systematic problem solving methods as well as effective technical writing skills. Students will receive instruction in the use of the software product MATLAB (R) . Students will master general programming concepts as well as gain an appreciation of formal problem solving methodology. Structured programming is stressed with emphasis placed on problem formulation. Example problems and laboratory projects draw from the chemical engineering field whereby the student learns to apply appropriate software techniques and/or numerical methods. Problems will be taken from the areas of material and energy balances, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, transport, kinetics, data fitting and analysis of experimental data and steady state and dynamic modeling. The course instruction stresses the characteristics and standards employed in effectively communicating engineering data and problem results.

Course outcomes define the desired level of learning that is to be accomplished by a student at the time of the completion of the course. Each outcome consists of a skill or attitude as well as a desired mastery level. By defining specific course outcomes, both students and faculty can ensure that the technical and professional subject material essential to the course is covered as well as detailing the degree of mastery expected.

(Note: These are not in chronological order)

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. Explain, employ and apply mathematical concepts and constructs (basic mathematical functions, rates of change, areas under curves, Laplace transform, Monte Carlo Simulation) encountered in engineering problems.
2. Employ one-dimensional arrays and two-dimensional matrices to represent, store and manipulate data collections.
3. Create effective graphs (e.g., x-y, scatter, line, surface, etc.) observing departmental format. Select appropriate trend lines. Graph parametric functions.
4. Apply appropriate standard methods to solve single and multiple, coupled algebraic equations.
5. Solve single and multiple variable linear regression problems.
6. Employ systematic problem solving methods and critical thinking skills to develop the equations required to obtain a solution of various chemical engineering and general engineering problems.
7. Employ basic programming concepts including programming structures to solve basic and intermediate level problems.
8. Employ the “stepwise improvement method” to develop solutions for simple programming problems.
9. Create, modify and employ user de?ned functions and scripts as appropriate for solving engineering problems.
10. Explain and employ probability concepts (including expectation, probability, likelihood, descriptive statistics, discrete and continuous random variables, probability distribution functions, cumulative distribution functions, inverse distribution functions).
11. Apply discrete distribution functions (e.g., Bernoulli, binomial) and continuous distribution functions (e.g., standard normal, normal) to solve problems involving random behavior.
12. Sample data (via simulation) from discrete and continuous distributions.
13. Explain the concept of hypothesis testing and set-up and interpret the results of hypothesis tests involving the mean and proportion.
14. Prepare written communications (technical reports and memos) that effectively convey technical information to the intended audience in a form and at level of detail appropriate for the purpose of the communication (adhering to departmental formats for the presentation of equations, figures, tables, and citations).

Revision: April 18, 2011

• Late homework (without an official university/medical excuse) will not be accepted. 
• Homework grades are weighted 105% to allow for occasional "slip-ups". 
• You may work with classmates on homework and other assignment (if not indicated to be solely independent effort or a team effort) but the work you turn in is to represent your personal effort. This issue is further discussed in the Daily Schedule. 
• The format of the reports and other homework is to be consistent with published departmental formats and style sheets as appropriate for the particular assignment.
• The format for computer programs and printed output will be explained in class.

The Daily Schedule should be consulted for homework assignment due dates. Special notices may also be posted to this area so check frequently for updates and new information.

2012 Spring Semester

Jan. 9 Classes Begin (Mon)
Jan. 16 M. L. King Jr. Day (Mon)
Jan. 30 15th Class Day * (Mon)
Feb. 28 Mid-Semester (36th Class Day) ** (Tues)
Mar. 12-16 Spring Break (Mon-Fri)
Apr. 25 Classes End (Wed)
Apr. 26-27 Study/Reading Day (Thurs-Fri)
Apr. 30 - May 4 Final Exam Period (Mon-Fri)
May 6, 7 Commencement (Sun, Mon)

• Class announcements such as assignment clarifications, etc. will be made verbally in class, or through the course web site or via email. It is your responsibility to attend class, and check the course web material and email regularly.  The university recognizes e-mail as an official form of communication.
• When sending e-mail to the instructor or course GTAs subject lines must adhere to the correct format. Additional requirements regarding e-mail communication and electronic file submission are addressed below.
• When sending files to the instructor or course GTAs files must adhere to the correct format. Additional requirements regarding e-mail communication and electronic file submission are addressed below.

• Quizzes (announced or unannounced) may be given at any time during a lecture or lab session. Quizzes will generally be given at the beginning of the class hour. If you arrive late, do not expect to receive additional time.
• The duration of quizzes may vary from 1 to 30 minutes based on the complexity of the material. Quizzes are closed book and may contain multiple choice, true/false, short answer questions, or problems similar to the homework and examples.
• Partial credit will be given if appropriate for the problem.
• Unannounced short quizzes will be given to reinforce important principles and to encourage preparation for class. 
• Quizzes will not be able to be made up without an official university/medical excuse.

• Three examinations will be given during the semester to demonstrate the student's ability to utilize the material lectured on and presented in the text as reading assignments. Examinations are also used to evaluate the student's success in meeting published course outcomes.
• Exams will not be able to be made up without a valid university excuse. 
• Copies of exams and other student work will be maintained by the department for accreditation purposes.
• Note special requirements for submission of exams (below)
• Exams will be conducted during lecture times. Exams will be closed book, and additional calculator/portable electronics policies may be enforced. The calculator policy for CHEN 3600 is simply that no calculators are allowed. All exams are designed to be solved using commands that are available in the following licensed products: MATLAB (R), the MATLAB (R) Optimization Toolbox, the MATLAB (R) Statistics Toolbox, and the MATLAB (R) Symbolic Math Toolbox. The three specifically aforementioned toolboxes comprise the “Standard Set” of toolboxes. Each of these are included in the Student Version of MATLAB (R). While other toolboxes are sometimes available, there
  is no guarantee of their availability during an exam. Therefore the use of non-standard toolboxes is emphatically discouraged in CHEN 3600.
• Any MATLAB (R) functions developed during in-class activities are available resources for use during an exam. Students are strongly encouraged to make use of this allowance.
• All MATLAB (R) documentation that is accessed through the doc or help commands is also available for use on exams.

• A 2-1/2 hour comprehensive final examination will be given at the official time. 
• Students arriving after the official start time of the final examination will not be given additional time.
• Note special requirements for submission of exams (below)

• The course project will be announced during the first few course meetings.
  This semester long project is to be individual work.
• The final project report as well as graded interim reports are to be provided in standard departmental reporting formats.
• Neither late nor handwritten reports will be accepted.
• All reports will be graded for technical accuracy as well as writing quality. All reports must adhere to the standard department format for technical reports/memos.

• Laboratory assignments may consist of a central problem (potentially with sub-parts) at a level generally more involved than problems from a standard homework set.
• Students are expected to spend about one week per lab assignment and turn in the requested information (answers, plots, etc.) in standard homework format.
• Hand drawn plots are not acceptable.
• Note special requirements for submission of lab assignments (below)

As per the Auburn University Bulletin, instructors shall determine the policy regarding grading which they feel is best for the course. This policy shall be presented to the class, in writing, at the beginning of the term.

In CHEN 3600, your course grade will be determined by proportionally weighting performance in the following areas 

• 30% - 3 Exams (10% each)
• 40% - Final exam
• 10% - Term project
• 20% - Homework, quizzes, and other class work (includes labs, other homework, and quizzes)

Breakpoints employed for the three term exams and the final exam are: A=80%, B=65%, C=55%, D=45%, F=less than 45%.

Breakpoints for term project, homework assignments, quizzes etc., are: A=90%, B=80%, C=70%, D=60%, F=less than 60%. 

These grade breakpoints are determined by applying the Auburn University Bulletin criteria to each area. The following summarizes the criteria published in the University Bulletin: 

• A: Superior 
• B: Good (not Superior) 
• C: Acceptable (not Good) (NOT AVERAGE)
• D: Passing (not Acceptable and not Failing) 
• F: Failing (not Passing) 

Characteristics of Grade Benchmarks (employed by instructor in all courses taught)

A - Student clearly demonstrates an in-depth technical understanding of the concepts. Able to offer different technical viewpoints and solutions to a problem. Demonstrates the ability to apply the concepts creatively. Consistently carries problems to a final and justified solution. Demonstrates technical leadership in the subject. 

B - Student demonstrates a technical understanding sufficient for solving the majority of problems. Able to propose at least one technical solution or viewpoint to a problem. Consistently carries problems to a satisfactory solution. Can explain and justify a conclusion or approach most of the time. 

C - Student demonstrates a technical understanding sufficient for solving straightforward problems but may have trouble with more complex variations or situations. Carries problems through to an adequate solution most of the time. Able to explain and justify conclusions or approaches for many cases but with uncertainty. 

D - Student's ability to apply the concepts even to straight-forward problems is marginal. Carries problems through to an adequate solution only sporadically. The ability to explain or justify conclusions is weak and sporadic. There would be a question with regard to the ability to work in the area in an industrial setting. 

F - Student's ability to apply the concepts to problems is seriously in question. The ability to do industrial work in the area undemonstrated. 

In order to articulate fully its commitment to academic honesty and to protect members of its community from the results of dishonest conduct Auburn University has adopted policies to deal with cases of academic dishonesty. These policies are intended not only to emphasize the imperative of integrity, but also to protect the rights of all members of the university community. The complete academic regulations concerning cheating are located in the Tiger Cub Student Handbook, Code of Laws, Title XII, Student Academic Honesty Code, Chapters 1200-1203.

Departmental Honesty Statement: By affixing my signature below, I acknowledge I am aware of the Auburn University policy concerning academic honesty, plagiarism, and cheating. This policy is defined in the current Tiger Cub Student Handbook, Code of Laws, Title XII, Student Academic Honesty Code, Chapters 1200-1203. I further attest that the work I am submitting with this exam is solely my own and was developed during the exam. I have used no notes, materials, or other aids except those permitted by the instructor.

The following information is the implementation and delineation of those policies by the above faculty member.

When a student is suspected of violating academic honesty standards, the faculty member will, as soon as reasonably possible, notify the student of the suspected infraction, seek the student's explanation, undertake any further investigation the faculty member considers appropriate, and initially determine whether a violation of the academic honesty policy has likely occurred.

If an act of academic dishonesty is determined to have likely occurred the matter will be turned over to the Auburn University Academic Honesty Committee

Forms of Academic Dishonesty

Plagiarism is the inclusion of someone else's words, ideas, or data as one's own work. When a student submits work for credit that includes the words, ideas, or data of others, the source of that information must be acknowledged through complete, accurate, and specific references, and, if verbatim statements are included, through quotation marks as well. By placing his/her name on work submitted for credit, the student certifies the originality of all work not otherwise identified by appropriate acknowledgments. Plagiarism covers unpublished as well as published sources.

Examples of plagiarism include, but are not limited to: 1. Quoting another person's actual words, complete sentences or paragraphs, or an entire piece of written work without acknowledgment of the source; 2. Using another person's ideas, opinions, or theory, even if it is completely paraphrased in one's own words without acknowledgment of the source; 3. Borrowing facts, statistics, or other illustrative materials that are not clearly common knowledge without acknowledgment of the source; 4. Copying another student's essay test answers; 5. Copying, or allowing another student to copy, a computer file that contains another student's assignment, and submitting it, in part or in its entirety, as one's own; or 6. Working together on an assignment, sharing the computer files and programs involved, and then submitting individual copies of the assignment as one's own individual work. Students are urged to consult with individual faculty members, academic departments, or recognized handbooks in their field if in doubt regarding issues of plagiarism.

Fabrication is the use of invented information or the falsification of research or other findings. Examples include, but are not limited to: 1. Citation of information not taken from the source indicated. This may include the incorrect documentation of secondary source materials; 2. Listing sources in a bibliography not used in the academic exercise; 3. Submission in a paper, thesis, lab report, or other academic exercise of falsified, invented, or fictitious data or evidence, or deliberate and knowing concealment or distortion of the true nature, origin, or function of such data or evidence; or 4. Submitting as your own any academic exercises (e.g., written work, printing, sculpture, etc.) prepared totally or in part by another.

Cheating is an act or an attempted act of deception by which a student seeks to misrepresent that he or she has mastered information on an academic exercise that he or she has not mastered. Examples include, but are not limited to: 1. Copying from another student's test paper; 2. Allowing another student to copy from a test paper; 3. Unauthorized use of course textbook or other materials such as a notebook to complete a test or other assignment from the faculty member; 4. Collaborating on a test, quiz, or other project with any other person(s) without authorization. 5. Using or processing specifically prepared materials during a test (e.g., notes, formula lists, notes written on the students clothing, etc.) that are not authorized; or 6. Taking a test for someone else or permitting someone else to take a test for you.

Academic Misconduct includes other academically dishonest acts such as tampering with grades or taking part in obtaining or distributing any part of an administered or unadministered test. Examples include, but are not limited to: 1. Stealing, buying, or otherwise obtaining all or part of an administered or unadministered test; 2. Selling or giving away all or part of an administered or unadministered test including questions and/or answers; 3. Bribing any other person to obtain an administered or unadministered test or any information about the test; 4. Entering a building or office for the purpose of changing a grade in a grade book, on a test, or on other work for which a grade is given; 5. Changing, altering, or being an accessory to the changing and/or altering of a grade in a grade book, on a test, a "change of grade" form, or other official academic records of the University that relate to grades; 6. Entering a building or office for the purpose of obtaining an administered or unadministered test; 7. Continuing to work on an examination or project after the specified allotted time has elapsed; 8. Any buying or otherwise acquiring any theme report, term paper, essay, computer software, other written work, and handing it in as your own to fulfill academic requirement; or 9. Any selling, giving, or otherwise supplying to another student for use in fulfilling academic requirements any theme, report, term paper, essay, computer software, other written work.