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Georgia Institute of Technology

Introduction to Engineering Mechanics

Georgia Institute of Technology via Coursera

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Overview

Class Central Tips
This course is an introduction to learning and applying the principles required to solve engineering mechanics problems. Concepts will be applied in this course from previous courses you have taken in basic math and physics. The course addresses the modeling and analysis of static equilibrium problems with an emphasis on real world engineering applications and problem solving.

The copyright of all content and materials in this course are owned by either the Georgia Tech Research Corporation or Dr. Wayne Whiteman. By participating in the course or using the content or materials, whether in whole or in part, you agree that you may download and use any content and/or material in this course for your own personal, non-commercial use only in a manner consistent with a student of any academic course. Any other use of the content and materials, including use by other academic universities or entities, is prohibited without express written permission of the Georgia Tech Research Corporation. Interested parties may contact Dr. Wayne Whiteman directly for information regarding the procedure to obtain a non-exclusive license.

Syllabus

  • Forces and Particle Equilibrium
    • In this section, students will learn the definition of a force and how to represent a force as a vector in two (2D) and three (3D) dimensions. Students will learn the concept of particle equilibrium and equilibrium of systems of particles. Concepts will be reinforced with example problems.
  • Define and Calculate Moments
    • In this section, students will learn the definition of a moment. Students will calculate the moment of a force about a point, line or axis, and moment due to a couple.
  • Equilibrium and Equivalence of Force Systems
    • In this section, students will learn the equilibrium equations in two (2D) and three (3D) dimensions. Students will solve equivalent system problems. System force results will be defined and calculated.
  • Free Body Diagrams and Equilibrium Analysis Techniques
    • In this section, students will learn to analyze general equilibrium problems. Free Body Diagrams (FBD) will be defined. Concepts will be reinforced with example problems.
  • Application of Static Equilibrium Equations
    • In this section, students will apply the equilibrium equations to solve two (2D) and three (3D) real world engineering problems. There will be an extensive use of example problems to reinforce concepts from the course.

Taught by

Dr. Wayne E. Whiteman

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Reviews

4.7 rating, based on 170 Class Central reviews

4.8 rating at Coursera based on 4605 ratings

Start your review of Introduction to Engineering Mechanics

  • Anonymous

    Anonymous completed this course.

    I have learned things in the course that I did not know about statics and that was my intent. Except for mistakes, the lectures are very good. I would not be against actually taking courses from this instructor. I was very put off by the lack of formal...
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous completed this course.

    I am a Mechanical Engineer and like most of them engineers, I had very weak concepts of basics of Mechanical Engineering. Then I came across this series of courses from Dr. Whiteman and believe me or not, I have learned more from him than my 4 years at an engineering university. He has this amazing quality of delivering the concepts in a very easy, understandable way. I really want to thank Dr. Whiteman for designing this amazing course and Coursera for providing us the platform to learn. They are really serving the humanity and mankind.
    As for Dr. Whiteman. I would say Thank you, Sir!!!!
    You have my respect for the lifetime.
  • Profile image for Ozbi Ozbi
    Ozbi Ozbi
    I take it for fun. Very nice course it helps me understand force reactions and couple reactions. I think I will continue with another one on the list.
  • Anonymous
    It is an interesting course. It will be helpful for engineering students. The teacher explained every point in detail and was easy to understand. I recommend this course if you want to learn basic engineering mechanics.
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous completed this course.

    I took this course along with the Applications course more than 3 years ago mostly for personal interest but also to give me something to do while I was laid up for six weeks after surgery. I couldn't stand the thought of watching TV more than a couple...
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous completed this course.

    Dr. Whiteman is a great professor, and his Coursera modules helped me a great deal in getting through my statics class. He is very good at making the material easy to understand, and he makes a point of verifying that all information presented is clear...
  • Anonymous
    Its very useful, I think it is the best course

    I have completed . Thanque, please improve your video quality.
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous completed this course.

    It was a great experience to do this course with Dr. Wayne E. Whiteman ( from Georgia Institute of Technology-a great institute too), I highly recommend these types of courses, at least you summarize the important ideas, and get familiar with e-learning.
    pros:
    1-abbreviated, time effective learning
    2- Dr Whiteman has easy to understand language besides straight forward attitude of explaining subjects
    cons:
    1- I found the course to be a little easy (it's just an introduction as stated)
    2- I hope to see like more animation or real life videos.
    last word, thanks for all (class-central website,Georgia Institute and Dr Whiteman), you for sure will not waste your time here.
    best regards
  • Monde Maziyane

    Monde Maziyane completed this course, spending 5 hours a week on it and found the course difficulty to be medium.

    At least half of this course was revision for me as a former Cambridge A-Level Maths Teacher (Cambridge International Examinations). The other half constituted some very interesting topics which Prof Whiteman explains really well. He has a way of getting into the crux of the matter in a very effective and concise style. I have also completed Applications in Engineering Mechanics and had a great deal of fun with that course as well. If you get yourself a copy of the recommended text - Engineering Mechanics by W.W. King and D.J. McGill, you will increase of chances of doing well in the course.
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous completed this course.

    I was skeptical about taking this type of course employing the "flipped classroom" method of learning, but I was blown away by the end of this course. The videos are incredibly helpful, especially when paired with the practice problems provided. As a distance learning student for this class, I was also nervous about not physically being in the classroom, but was given equal opportunity for assistance throughout the semester.

    I can now say that I am extremely confident in my engineering mechanics ability and that this course greatly influenced my success in the following course, deformable bodies.

    I highly recommend this course and Dr. Whiteman to anyone who needs to take statics.
  • Shashank Parmar
    most of the basic cource is this. i have to like your join classes online. thanks for helping snand knowlauge for this cource.
  • Ujjwal Pratap
    very good course and learn a lot about mechanics, topics covered under this course are very easily explained.
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous completed this course.

    I took this to learn basic fundamentals principles right as I took mechanics of materials first. This one covers statics. It's up to anyone to decide their sequence of study but grasping basics is important to mastering of more advanced concepts later as long as one doesn't get fogged out. As with all videos produced with Dr Wayne, the high quality video productions are interspersed with quiz exercises to challenge one's own learning pace. The delivery in the video production made effort to engage and relate to the interested beginner.
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous completed this course.

    As a whole, the course “Introduction to Engineering Mechanics” is a very informative and supportive of anyone who are looking to truly understand physics. The lecturer, Dr. Wayne Whiteman teaches very well as he is always trying to illustrate a situation...
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous completed this course.

    I decided to take this course a few years ago after failing my university's Solid Mechanics course, a requirement for my degree. Dr. Whiteman's videos proved to be clear, concise, and extremely helpful. The material was challenging but after completing this course I became confident in all of the material that I had failed to grasp in my university course. The next year, I retook the Solid Mechanics course and passed--something I couldn't have done without this course to help me. I will be graduating next year.
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous completed this course.

    Thank you very much Dr. White man. This course with your clear teaching style and explanations have made me to understand a lot of basic engineering principles. Not many students, like me, get the opportunity to learn in world's top universities. But because of the power of internet and generous people like you, who are willing to share knowledge and educate, we get to experience such top quality learnings. Once again, thank you for your great work...!
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous completed this course.

    I've only completed part of the course so far (taken as a refresher), I will completing the rest in the coming weeks. I found the pace of teaching and Dr Whiteman's delivery excellent.
    Whilst it's only an introductory course, mechanics can be complex if not fully explained.
    I found the explanations, examples and method of delivery useful, interactive and challenging.
    No hesitation in recommending this course
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous completed this course.

    Hello there!
    I am Roboticst with CS and Electronics background. I had a lot of problem communicating with fellow roboticts when I would discuss something related to mechanics of a robot with them. The great thing for me is, that I am becomin able to communicate well enough with the mechanical engineers on team now.
  • Anonymous

    Anonymous is taking this course right now.

    Perhaps I've misunderstood, but it seems to me that this class is less about engineering mechanics as it is a class about basic physics. The topics it tries to teach use proper vocabulary, which I appreciate, but it more so convolutes concepts otherwise elementary, especially so when these terms are introduced so early and abruptly.
  • Anonymous
    Learning "Introduction to Engineering Mechanics with Dr. Whiteman" has been a superb experience. The clarity of teaching, coupled with the level of engagement and class exercises, always prompts the question, "Why am I just discovering this?". I would not have believed that it was possible to understand Engineering Mechanics the way I do, having taken this course. I sincerely appreciate the Georgia Institute of Technology and Dr. Whiteman for their time and effort, and the privilege to study this course amazingly. This is "Engineering Mechanics brought to life"!! Thanks a lot.
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