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Units: 00 01 02 03 R1 04 05 06 07 R2 08 09 10 R3 11 12 13 R4

Help (FAQ)

Frequently Asked Questions

Will there be a final in this course?

In this course there are no mid-terms and final exams. If you pass all of your Readiness Tests and Review tests, you'll get an A grade.

How do I access the units?

All the units are password protected. The username for all of these units is me205 and the passwords will be provided by the proctors when you finish the preceding unit. This semester a new system is being implemented wherein you will be given the password for the next unit automatically in the homework submission system website.
May I work with my friends on the units?

Absolutely! I would suggest that you gang up on me in this course. The more you discuss, study, help each other, etc, the better you will learn the material. Be careful, however, not to depend on your friends too much. You will be on your own on the Readiness and Review Tests. The easiest way through the course is to learn the material yourself. By the way, we will be providing Chat Room facilities so that you can talk to your friends over the internet at all times of the day. With this, you can just chat or get help from students that have already finished the unit you are working on.

Will all students take the same units?

Yes and no. In principle this course covers a fixed amount of material that we think is essential for your engineering studies. We do reserve the right to modify the units during the course based on the performance of students that have already completed a unit. In a way, the faster students are teaching us how to design the units so the course is the most effective.

How do I access the videos?
Please make sure that you have the appropriate plug-in to view the movie. We suggest you have both Real and Quicktime plug-ins installed. On the PC, Windows Media Player may try unsuccessfully to play Quicktime movies if you do not have the Quicktime plug-in installed. Some of the videos are large files and will take a very long time to play over a slower connection. If you have problems using it from home, try viewing them from campus.
How do I access the chat?
The chat and the webcam require that you have a Java enabled browser with the latest Shockwave plugins. When you have enabled Java applets in your browser, you should see a login screen on the chat page. Simply enter a nickname into the appropriate box.
May I talk face to face to the proctor to get help?

We would prefer that you not do that. The proctors will be available over the internet in the chat roomand you could contact them there. Only in emergencies will the proctors be happy to talk to you personally. The basic concept of this course is a web based course.

Why isn't the proctor in the chat room?.
Make sure that the proctor has office hours at that time. Check the 'Proctor' page for current hours and check your e-mail to see if a message was sent out about a change in office hours etc...

If the proctor is scheduled to have office hours at that time, just wait for a few minutes. The proctor may have stepped out for a few minutes. Generally you will see a notice on the webcam screen if this is the case.
How do I get a login for the ME LRC computer lab?
Talk to the MELRC Lab TA and explain that you need a login or follow the link
https://utdirect.utexas.edu/engine/adrequest.WBX .
Is PSI a new teaching technique?

No it is not. It has been used for over 30 years all over the world in a wide variety of subjects. What IS new is delivering the course over the Internet. In a way you are a pioneer. You are one of the first students to blend the Internet, education, and PSI. We count on your support. By the way, if you would like to learn more about PSI, click the button that describes it.

I do not know any programming languages. How can I compete with other students that are computer experts?

PSI was specifically chosen as the educational strategy for this course for this reason. The student population is very diverse, from students that could be called "gurus" to those who have never used a computer before. We do not care how long it takes you to complete this course (within limits) but instead the mastery you demonstrate. If you have studied computers, C, or MATLAB before, why not finish the course early and have time to study your other courses. If you have never studied computers before, it may take you longer, but you will finish with the same competency in the course.

How can I contact the instructor and the proctors in this course?

The instructor will be holding virtual office hours at scheduled times on the web. He/she is eager to talk to you then. The proctor is available at the times announced on his schedule. Please refer to the initial yellow sheet that you received the first day of this course.

How will my grade be determined?

Very simple. You get an A grade if you have finished all the Readiness and Review Tests before the last class day. According to the Dean's Rule, if you do not finish the course in the semester you registered for the course, you'll recieve an F. There are no other grades involved.

Note: The Dean's Rule might change and so issues regarding course-incomplete status should be addressed to the Undergraduate Office of the Mechanical Engineering Department.