Tentative syllabus. This page is based on the Fall 2023 offering of MCEN 2043 and will be updated before the semester begins. Dates, policies and weights may change.
Course Description
This course covers the dynamic behavior of particle systems and rigid bodies: 2-D and 3-D kinematics and kinetics; impulse, momentum, potential and kinetic energy; and work, collisions and vibration.
Prerequisite: MCEN 2023.
Course Logistics
MCEN 2043 is taught in two lectures in Spring 2027. This page is for Section 002.
| Section | Instructor | Days | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Sean Humbert | Tue/Thu | 8:00 AM–9:15 AM | ECCR 1B40 |
| 002 | Chahat Deep Singh | Tue/Thu | 2:00 PM–3:15 PM | MBE 155 |
Canvas will be used for homework, submissions and grades. Office hours and teaching assistants will be posted here before the semester begins.
Grading
| Component | Weight |
|---|---|
| Problem sets (8 to 10; lowest two dropped) | 25% |
| Midterm Exam 1 | 25% |
| Midterm Exam 2 | 25% |
| Final Exam | 25% |
Exams are timed and held during class hours, except the final. One double-sided 8.5" × 11" sheet of notes is allowed for each midterm, and three sheets for the final.
Homework Policy
Homework is posted on Canvas, usually has four to five problems, and is due about one week after it is posted. Homework is submitted online, and late homework is not accepted after 5 PM on the due date.
Each problem is graded as:
| Grade | Credit | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Check-plus | 100% | Correct answer in the required format |
| Check | 85% | Correct but not in the required format, or mostly correct in the required format |
| Check-minus | 50% | Largely incorrect or very hard to follow |
Not every problem in a set may be graded, but full solutions will be made available for all of them.
Homework format
To earn a check-plus, each handwritten solution should include:
- A short problem statement: the given quantities with units, and what is to be found. There is no need to copy the full problem.
- A sketch and free-body diagram, labeled with the relevant variables and geometry.
- Any assumptions used to simplify the governing equations.
- The final answer, boxed. If you use software such as MATLAB or Python, include the code and its output, written so a grader can follow it.
- Graphs with labeled axes, units, and a legend when there are two or more curves.
Textbook
R. C. Hibbeler, Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics, Pearson, 14th edition. Access to the digital edition will be available through the CU Bookstore and the My Course Materials tab on Canvas.
Tentative Course Outline
| Weeks | Topic | Chapters | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Kinematics of Particles | 12 | Rectilinear motion; 2-D and 3-D curvilinear motion; rectangular, normal-tangential, polar, cylindrical and spherical coordinates |
| 4–6 | Kinetics of Particles | 13–15 | Newton's laws and equations of motion; work and energy; conservative forces and potential energy; conservation of energy; linear and angular momentum; impulse and momentum |
| 7 | Review and Midterm Exam 1 | — | Date TBD |
| 8–11 | Kinematics of Planar Rigid Bodies | 16 | Planar motion; translation; rotation about a fixed axis; absolute and relative motion analysis |
| 12 | Review and Midterm Exam 2 | — | Date TBD |
| 13–16 | Kinetics of Planar Rigid Bodies | 17–19 | Mass moment of inertia; parallel-axis theorem; equations of motion; work and energy; linear and angular momentum; impulse and momentum for rigid bodies |
| Finals week | Final Exam | — | Date and time TBD |
University Policies
This course follows CU Boulder's required syllabus statements, which cover classroom behavior, accommodations for disabilities, preferred names and pronouns, the Honor Code, sexual misconduct and discrimination, and religious observances. The full statements for Spring 2027 will be added here before the semester begins.
Religious observances. If a religious obligation conflicts with an exam, assignment or required attendance, please let the instructor know at least two weeks in advance so that alternative arrangements can be made.
Honor Code. All students are responsible for knowing and following the CU Boulder Honor Code. Suspected academic misconduct will be reported to the Honor Code office.
Course structure and policies are adapted, with thanks, from Prof. Sean Humbert's offering of MCEN 2043.