Teaching Activities

Dr. John Wagner has taught at Clemson University, Purdue University – College of Technology at Kokomo, and the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Clemson University, Clemson, SC
ME 202 (Foundations of Mechanical Systems): F00, S01, F01, S02, F02, F03, S04, F04

ME 202: Foundations of Mechanical Systems. 3(3,0). Introduces students to the basic physical elements of mechanical engineering systems. Problem solving, design, and resourceful application of mathematics and general principles from the students' science courses are emphasized throughout. Preq: MTHSC 108, PHYS 122, EM 201 (or concurrent enrollment).

ME 305 (Modeling and Analysis of Dynamic Systems): F98, S99, F99, S00, S03

ME 305: Modeling and Analysis of Dynamic Systems. 3(3,0). Techniques for developing and analyzing physical and mathematical models of mechanical and electromechanical systems are presented. Transient and frequency response are determined using analytical and numerical methods. Basic feedback systems are introduced. Preq: ECE 307, EM 202, ME 202, 205, MTHSC 208.

ME 306 (Fundamentals of Machine Design): S05, F05, F06, F07

ME 306: Fundamentals of Machine Design. 3(3,0). Introduction to failure theory, fatigue analysis, and energy methods for deflection analysis. Integration of these topics with selected portions of mechanics of materials and application of them to the design and analysis of machine elements. Preq: EM 304.

ME 402 (Internship in Engineering Design): F98, F00, F01

ME 402: Internship in Engineering Design. 3(1,6) [O.2, W.1]. Creative application of general engineering knowledge in solving an open-ended design problem provided by a sponsor typically external to the University. Progress is evaluated by a faculty jury. Students present results to the jury and sponsor through written reports and oral presentations addressing University written/oral competency goals. Preq: ME 401, ME 404 (or concurrent enrollment).

ME H415 & 415 (Undergraduate Research Projects): F98 - Present

ME 415 / ME H415: Undergraduate and Honors Undergraduate Research. Variable. Individual research projects to be conducted under the direct supervision and guidance of a faculty member. May be repeated for a maximum of six credits. Preq: Consent of instructor

ME 416/616 (Control of Mechanical Systems): F99, SU02

ME 416: Control of Mechanical Systems. 3(3,0). Physical modeling and feedback principles are presented for control of mechanical systems. Transient response, root locus and frequency response principles are applied to the control of basic mechanical systems such as electric motors, fluid tanks, or thermal processes. PID control laws are emphasized. Preq: ME 305, 322, 323.

ME 417/617 (Mechatronic System Design): S00, S01, S02, S03, S05, S06, S07, S08

ME 417/617: Mechatronics System Design. 3(2,3). Mechatronics is the study which integrates control, sensors, and computers to create a variety of electromechanical products or machines. Course study includes concepts of design, appropriate dynamic system modeling and analysis, sensors and transducers, actuating devices, and real time microprocessor interfacing and control. Case studies, simulation, and projects are used to exemplify the system design principles. Preq: ME 305 or consent of instructor.

Dr. Wagner developed this undergraduate/graduate technical elective course which integrates sensors, actuators, and computers to develop electro-mechanical systems. The class activities include modeling, analysis, sensors, actuators, controllers, and control algorithms. He also created the accompanying Rockwell Automation Educational Laboratory (gift-in-kind program) which features electrical circuits, programmable logic controllers, National Instruments LabView, hydraulic/pneumatic systems, conveyor belts, electric motors, and sensors.

Select experiments in undergraduate/graduate mechatronics system design laboratory

ME 424 (Engineering Laboratory IV): F05, S06, F06, S07, F07, S08

ME 424: Mechanical Engineering Laboratory IV. 1(0,3). Continuation of ME 323. Mechanical engineering principles and phenomena are reinforced through open-ended, student designed and conducted experiments. Utilization of mature skills in measurement techniques, data analysis, and report writing. Preq: ME 301, 303, 304, 305, 306, and 323, ME 404 (or concurrent enrollment).

ME 444 (Mechanical Engineering Laboratory III): F08

ME 444: Mechanical Engineering Laboratory III. 2(0,6). Continuation of ME 333. Mechanical engineering principles and phenomena will be reinforced through student conducted experiments in the areas of dynamic systems and controls, and manufacturing. Students will apply instrumentation, calibration, and data analysis techniques to investigate experimental systems, and write technical reports. Preq: ME 333, ME 305, EXST 411 or MTHSC 302; Co-Req: ME 304, ME 306, ME 312.

Dr. Wagner has championed this revised undergraduate required mechanical engineering laboratory course (transitioned from one to two credit hours) with open-ended team completed experimental investigations that feature mechanical, manufacturing, material science, heat transfer, and control systems with opportunities for numerical simulations using the Matlab/Simulink software package.

Select experiments in senior mechanical engineering laboratory

ME 493/693 (Mechatronics and Material Handling Systems): F08

ME 493/693: Mechatronics and Material Handling Systems. 3(2,3). Design, modeling, analysis, and experimental validation of reconfigurable computer controlled manufacturing systems. Classroom activities emphasize collaborative/team building skills, laboratory empowers multi-disciplinary student teams to apply material handling system equipment. Case studies, simulation, laboratory experiments, and design project are used to exemplify the concepts. Preq: Senior or graduate standing and ME 417/617 or consent of instructor.

A National Science Foundation (NSF) sponsored course with laboratory experience that has been developed in collaboration with the Departments of Mechanical, Electrical/Computer, and Industrial Engineering at Clemson University and Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology at Greenville Technical College. The classroom and laboratory offer students an opportunity to collaborate on engineering technologies with a focus on robotics, networked programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and conveyor systems.

Select experiments in mechatronics and material handling systems laboratory focused on plc programming and data acquisition

ME 820 (Modern Control Engineering): F02

ME 820: Modern Control Engineering. 3(3,0). Mathematical modeling of engineering systems using differential and difference state equations; state variable time solutions using analytic and computer-aided analysis techniques; state control principles of controllability, observability, stability and performance specification; trade-offs between state variable and transfer function techniques. Preq: An undergraduate controls course or permission of instructor.

ME 891/991 (Master's and Ph.D. Research): F98 – Present

Advisor to Clemson's Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Student Chapter

Purdue University , Kokomo, IN
TG 242 (Technical Graphics for Supervisors): F97

TG 242: Technical Graphics for Supervisors. 2(1,2). An introduction to commonly encountered technical drawing practices; multiview representation, isometric pictorial, reading drawings, dimensioning practices, and working drawings. Emphasis is on technical graphics as technical communication through freehand sketching.

MET 212 (Applications of Engineering Mechanics): S95

MET 212: Applications of Engineering Mechanics. 4(4,0). Applications of engineering mechanics are introduced, based on an elementary expansion of Newtonian physics as applied to static and dynamic force systems. Internal stresses and strains produced by these forces in selected machine elements are considered. Work, energy, and power are discussed.

State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
EAS 130 (Introduction to Computers in Engineering): F83

EAS 130: Introduction to Computers in Engineering. 2(2,0). An introduction to the application of computers to engineering problems. The basics of programming including the translation of mathematical expressions into programming statements, branching, looping, indexing, and simple input/output operations are discussed.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Clemson University