Welcome to Statics (Summer 2018)

Dear Student,

My name is Jeff Jones, and I will be your instructor in the upcoming online version of Statics (ENGR250). This letter is to inform you of some important details prior to the commencement of this online class.  Please make sure you do not have any conflicts with the exam times listed below.  Please read this page carefully!!

 

For many of you this will be your first true engineering class and I would like to congratulate you on making it to this point.  It is quite an achievement to have passed all of the math and physics classes required to take this class, you are the "cream of the crop"!

 

Orientation/ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Online classes can be difficult to get started with so an optional on-campus orientation will take place on MONDAY June 18 at 1:00pm room 4118.  It should last about 90 minutes.  If you took ENGR250 online with me before then you do not need to attend the orientation.  If you live out of the area and unable to attend in person then please contact the instructor (jjones@cuesta.edu) for options.  There is a SMALL chance I will stream the orientation, if so look for an invitation to connect.  FAQs: https://cuesta.instructure.com/eportfolios/135/FAQs

 

Tentative Test Dates (you must clear your schedule to take the tests at these times):

You do not need to come to San Luis Obispo, CA for the tests as there is an option to have it proctored ( https://cuesta.instructure.com/eportfolios/135/Proctor_Info ).  Most students will take the test in San Luis Obispo because it is more convenient.  In any case everyone will be taking the tests on the same day and time:

Test 1: Monday July 9, 2018 at either 1:00 pm or 3:30pm Pacific Time

Test 2: Thursday July 26, 2018 at either 1:00 pm or 3:30pm Pacific Time

 

Time Requirement

The average student should set aside about 40 hours a week to be successful in this fast paced summer class.

 

Book Requirements

You will not be purchasing the course materials in the bookstore but you will be required to purchase them online.  More instructions will be provided on Canvas.  Access fee: $69.

 

Optional: The textbook "Vector Mechanics for Engineers- Statics, 7^th ed. by Beer/Johnston" is an optional text.  You can pick up your hardcopy for the semester at the Reserve Desk in the library.  Please return it at the end of the term, otherwise you will be billed $50 for it.  This book is completely optional and nothing will be assigned from it.  This is an older edition and cannot be purchased in the bookstore.  You are free to use the reserve copies or go online to amazon.com and buy a used copy for a fraction of what the current version is selling for, about $240.

 

Web Site Requirements

We will be using Canvas as this is the site that will be managing the course and it is required.  It will have the weekly activities including quizzes, videos, and homework assignments.  I will send you more information as we get closer to the start of the class.

 

How to use Canvas

Canvas is an online classroom management system that this class will be using.  For more information on how to use it check out the "How-To" links here: 

https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/compserv/howto_materials_students.htmlLinks to an external site.

 

Resources for Learning

-Post questions in the class discussion forum.

-Watch the assigned video lectures online on Canvas.

-Read the book or the various links provided.

-Visit the Tutorial Center http://www.cuesta.edu/student/studentservices/dsps/index.htmlLinks to an external site.

-Homework and quizzes.

-Study groups.

-Disabled Student Services: Links to an external site.http://www.cuesta.edu/student/studentservices/dsps/index.htmlLinks to an external site.

 

Contacting the Instructor

If you have a non-private question then please post it in the class discussion forum on Canvas, this way other students can benefit from my reply.  If it is a private message then please use the messaging system from within Canvas rather than sending an email via my Cuesta account.  Using the messaging system within Canvas will allow me to have a record of our conversation associated with the class and also won't get marked as spam that may happen with the Cuesta email account.  If none of the above contact options work then you can email me at my Cuesta email account: jjones@cuesta.edu

 

Proctoring

Most students will be taking the exams at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, CA and don't need to arrange for a proctor.  Students taking the exams at remote locations using a proctor must coordinate and finalize with the instructor the required proctor information (https://cuesta.instructure.com/eportfolios/135/Proctor_Info).  Even if you are taking the exams with a proctor you will still need to take the tests at the same time as the students taking the tests at Cuesta College.  There are no provisions for anyone who misses any of these exams.  Let me know if you are having problems with anything related to the course.

 

FAQ's

https://cuesta.instructure.com/eportfolios/135/FAQs