Wellesley ENGR111: Product Creation for All (Fall 2016)
We will explore how products are created, including an exploration of ideation and brainstorming, reverse engineering, and the product development process. An emphasis will be placed on the role of human factors engineering, including usability successes and failures of specific products. Students will learn about these topics through two approaches:
- disassembly and study of existing products and
- creation of simple product prototypes for specific, local nonprofit organizations serving populations such as those with developmental or physical limitations.
By the end of the semester, students will be able to comprehend and independently apply both the product development process and specific human factors engineering approaches used in the design of many everyday objects; they will also have developed their own creativity and better understand how to further develop and apply that skill.
Course Objectives. By the end of the course, the students should be able to:
- Understand that creativity is a habit of mind that can be practiced, and have done so
- Use basic engineering design processes and tools to construct sketch models and physical prototypes
- Engage in reverse engineering product disassembly, including identifying common materials and manufacturing methods
- Understand and apply fundamental methods of human factors engineering
- Determine and specify customer needs effectively and respectfully
- Design and build simple prototypes in collaboration with local stakeholders
Prerequisite: Passing the basic skills component of the quantitative reasoning requirement.
Course website: https://blogs.wellesley.edu/engr11101fa16/
Course Staff
Instructor
Amy Banzaert, Ph.D., Director of Engineering Studies & Lecturer
SCI L001, abanzaert@wellesley.edu
Office hours: Tues. 4:15-5:30 & Thurs. 11:30-12:30 (double check as some weeks they shift a little)
The best way to reach me outside of office hours is email; you can expect a response within one business day (this includes appointment requests).
I welcome meeting with you during office hours and by appointment/drop-in to help you with the class, offer advice about engineering, and similar topics. My door is always closed, but that’s only because the Science Library is nearby and noisy. My blinds will be closed if I would prefer not to be disturbed; otherwise, knock and enter.
Larry Knowles, machinist
SCI L023, lknowles@wellesley.edu
Hours: 7:30-4:30, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Friday
Thessaly McFall, We-Lab studio assistant
SCI L024, tmcfall@wellesley.edu
Hours: may vary week to week, see We-Lab Calendar, look for Thessaly’s office hours.
Course Policies
Attendance and Responsibility
Class attendance is required, due to the hands-on nature of the class. If you must miss a class for a legitimate reason, inform Amy and your lab partners as early as possible so that we can plan appropriately and provide you with makeup materials. Your grade will suffer if you are absent without good reason. You are expected to come to class on time and should also check the course website and your email frequently as part of your responsibilities for the class.
If the course schedule and due dates cause you difficulty in observing any religious holiday, please talk to Amy about making alternate arrangements well in advance.
All course work is covered by the Wellesley College honor code “As a Wellesley College student, I will act with honesty, integrity, and respect.”
Grading
This class is mandatory credit/non, with the expectation that you will focus on learning and engaging with the materials and activities without the pressure a grade can create, especially in what is likely to be a new area of learning. You are still expected to attend class regularly, be on time, and contribute meaningfully in class and on projects. You should expect to spend about 11 hours per week on this class (if you are spending far more or less than that, please let me know). If your work is not minimally satisfactory, credit will not be given.
Safety
In this class, you will learn how to use pieces of equipment that are potentially dangerous to you and your classmates if not used properly. Many are also expensive to repair if you break them. You are not allowed to use these pieces of equipment without direct supervision by an instructor or TA unless you have been explicitly certified to use them by an instructor.
You should come to class dressed appropriately for hands-on work: avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling jewelry; pull back long hair into a ponytail or bun; and wear comfortable clothing and closed toed shoes.
You must acquire safety glasses by the second day of class, and bring them to all course meetings and whenever you work in the lab. Be sure to label them with your name. There are many pairs of safety glasses available from past classes that you can “adopt.” Alternatively, you can purchase a new pair from the campus bookstore.
Collaboration Policy
Frequently, you will work on projects in pairs or groups. You are strongly encouraged to change partners for each new project.
Although you are working with a partner it is essential that you each maintain your own design blog. There will be certain deliverables for each project that can be submitted jointly and others that need to be submitted individually. Details will be specified with each project assignment.
Diversity & Inclusion
All enrolled students are welcome in my classroom. I expect and embrace different ways of thinking, living, being, working, and learning. If you have questions or concerns, please speak up in class or let me know individually. http://www.wellesley.edu/about/diversityandinclusion/about
Disabilities
Students with disabilities who are taking this course and who need disability-related accommodations should talk to Amy Banzaert to make appropriate arrangements. These students are also encouraged to work with Jim Wice, the Director of Disability Services. Jim‘s office is located in the Pforzheimer Learning & Teaching Center on the third floor of Clapp Library. If you have a physical disability or a learning disability, Jim is the person to see to arrange for accommodations. If your learning disability is undocumented or if you are uncertain as to whether you have an actual disability, Jim can arrange for you to be tested. http://www.wellesley.edu/disability