CEE 3804 Computer Applications in Civil Engineering
	Course Information Course Objectives Textbook and Materials Computer Literacy Course Evaluation Homework Policy Office Hours Syllabus (Weekly Planner) Assignments and Solutions Matlab Tutorial Files Student Presentation Topic

I. COURSE INFORMATION

Instructor:     Dr. Antonio A. Trani

Address:       Patton Hall 301-P 
               Department of Civil Engineering
               Virginia Tech
Telephone:     (540) 231-4418 (office)
Email: [email protected]

Teaching Assistant: To be Announced

Address:       Patton Hall 301 (Graduate Student Offices)
               Department of Civil Engineering
               Virginia Tech
Telephone:     (540) 231-3363 (TISE Graduate Student Office)
Email: 

Class Hours:   9:05 to 9:55 AM (TORG 1010)
Index Number: 	12270 (09M)

Introduction to computer applications in civil and environmental engineering.  Integration of design, data management, computer programming and problem-solving skills with computer tools and techniques.  Topics include systems analysis, optimization, database management, computer programming and optionally data structures.

II. COURSE OBJECTIVES

At the completion of this course, you should be able to:

• Perform linear algebra and matrix operations related to Civil Engineering systems.
• Create user-defined functions in a programming environment (VBA and Matlab).
• Determine roots of nonlinear equations and solve sets of linear equations.
• Construct, interpret and solve optimization problems (using Excel Solver)
• Develop and program engineering analyses (using Matlab and Excel)
• Conduct data analyses with pivot tables.
• Learn to solve civil engineering problems with differential equations using Matlab and/or Simulink
• Combine and quantitatively analyze a global data set, and interpret the differences within individual world views.
• Perform numerical integration

III. TEXTBOOK AND READING MATERIALS

For this class we will use course notes posted in this web site. The class notes (in PDF or PPT format) are availlable in the Syllabus page. You are responsible to read all the materials designated every week.

IV. COMPUTER LITERACY

Students are expected to have access to a computer with the most recent version of Excel, Visual Basic for Applications (included in recent versions of Excel for Windows and Macintosh) and the numeric package (MATLAB - any version released in the past two years is accepetable). It is required that you install Excel and Matlab in your portable computer. If you do not have access to Matlab or Excel, please purchase a copy from VT Software Distribution. The Software Distribution Office is located in 3240 Torgersen Hall. If you use a Mac computer, you can make all the assignments in Excel for Mac that supports VBA and Macros. Otherwise, you can run Excel in Windows using virtualization software (like Parallels or VMWare).

V. HOMEWORK

No late assignments will be accepted unless there is a justifiable reason for you to miss it (e.g., family emergencies or medical visits). Homeworks will be assigned on a weekly basis (normally Mondays). You will have one week to do the assignments. Assignmnents are due on the timestamp posted in Canvas. You are encouraged to attempt all the assignments as they count a good percentage of your grade. I do not drop any assignments at the end of the course. My expectation is that you work continuously throughout the course and every effort counts. You submit the assignments via Canvas. Grades will also be posted in Canvas. 

I encourage discussion between individuals in class and outside class on how to solve problems. However, it is expected that you turn in individual assignments that reflect your own work. This is criticall for you to do well in the quizes and final exam.

In general, I would like to see your assignments organized in the following way:

• Problem description,
• Flowchart (when applicable),
• Problem solution (including VBA, Excel or Matlab source code),
• Analysis of results and comments.

Things to watch in homeworks:

• Plots have labels and units,
• Plots are readable (small plots that you cannot read in your PDF file are not acceptable since I cannot read them),
• Supporting calculations, 
• Output of a problem is clearly identified, has units and your judgement (is the answer credible?),
• Results have adequate significant figures (avoid results with 15 decimal places).
• Check for grammar and incoherent statements.

In your homework, I do not like to see just results (i.e., output) without a clear interpretation of the output and the meaning of the answer. In order to give you credit, your computer code (Excel, Matlab or Visual Basic, etc.) needs to have comments and be included with the assignment solution. Comments help me and the teaching assistant understand the rationale of your program.. I suggest that your homework should be typed in a Word processor if possible.

I expect you to follow the Honor Code of Virginia Tech. If you do not know the Honor Code of Virginia Tech please refer to your student handbook or read more about it at http://www.honorsystem.vt.edu/. The Undergraduate Honor Code pledge that each member of the university community agrees to abide by states:

“As a Hokie, I will conduct myself with honor and integrity at all times.  I will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor will I accept the actions of those who do.”

Students enrolled in this course are responsible for abiding by the Honor Code. A student who has doubts about how the Honor Code applies to any assignment is responsible for obtaining specific guidance from the course instructor before submitting the assignment for evaluation. Ignorance of the rules does not exclude any member of the University community from the requirements and expectations of the Honor Code.  Academic integrity expectations are the same for online classes as they are for in person classes.

Honor Code Pledge for Assignments: The Virginia Tech honor code pledge for assignments is as follows: 

“I have neither given nor received unauthorized assistance on this assignment.”

The pledge is to be written out on all graded assignments at the university and signed by the student.  The honor pledge represents both an expression of the student’s support of the honor code and a commitment to uphold the academic standards at Virginia Tech. 

• All assignments submitted shall be considered “graded work” and all aspects of your coursework are covered by the Honor Code. All projects and homework assignments are to be completed individually unless otherwise specified.
• The Academic Integrity expectations for Hokies are the same in an online class as they are in an in-person class.  Hokies are expected to meet the academic integrity standards at Virginia Tech at all times.
• Commission of any of the following acts shall constitute academic misconduct. This listing is not, however, exclusive of other acts that may reasonably be said to constitute academic misconduct. Clarification is provided for each definition with some examples of prohibited behaviors in the Undergraduate Honor Code Manual located at https://www.honorsystem.vt.edu/
• CHEATING:  Cheating includes the intentional use of unauthorized materials, information, notes, study aids or other devices or materials in any academic exercise, or attempts thereof.
• PLAGIARISM:  Plagiarism includes the copying of the language, structure, programming, computer code, ideas, and/or thoughts of another and passing off the same as one's own original work, or attempts thereof.
• FALSIFICATION:  Falsification includes the statement of any untruth, either verbally or in writing, with respect to any element of one's academic work, or attempts thereof.
• FABRICATION:  Fabrication includes making up data and results, and recording or reporting them, or submitting fabricated documents, or attempts thereof.
• MULTIPLE SUBMISSION:  Multiple submission involves the submission for credit – without authorization from the instructor receiving the work – of substantial portions of any work (including oral reports) previously submitted for credit at any academic institution of attempts thereof.
• COMPLICITY:  Complicity includes intentionally helping another to engage in an act of academic misconduct, or attempts thereof.
• VIOLATION OF UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE, DEPARTMENTAL, PROGRAM, COURSE, OR FACULTY RULES:  The violation of any University, College, Departmental, Program, Course, or Faculty Rules relating to academic matters that may lead to an unfair academic advantage by the student violating the rule(s).

• “If you have questions or are unclear about what constitutes academic misconduct on an assignment, please speak with me.  I take the honor code very seriously in the course.  The normal sanction I will recommend for a violation of the Honor Code is an F* sanction as your final course grade.  The F represents failure in the course.  The “*” is intended to identify a student who has failed to uphold the values of academic integrity at Virginia Tech.  A student who receives a sanction of F* as their final course grade shall have it documented on their transcript with the notation “FAILURE DUE TO ACADEMIC HONOR CODE VIOLATION.” You would be required to complete an education program administered by the Honor System in order to have the “*” and notation “FAILURE DUE TO ACADEMIC HONOR CODE VIOLATION” removed from your transcript.  The “F” however would be permanently on your transcript.”

Other Responsibilities

Your responsibilities as a student in the class are:
1) Keep backups of all submitted work and work in progress in your backup hard drive
2) Let me know in class if you do not understand something
3) Clearly identify all submitted material.  This includes the name of the assignment, your name, etc.
4) Timing is tight for most classes.  Be ready to start on time.
5) We may work on portions of the homework in class. 

VII. COURSE EVALUATION

The following weighting system will be used in this course

You are expected to attend all lectures of this class. I will make random attendance checks during the semester. Class participation includes participation in class discussions and also delivering a 3-minute presentation on a topic related to the class subject. You will be required to brief the class on some recent trends in computers and engineering. This can inlude Civil Engineering software packages, new electronic devices that have application in the Civil Engineering field, etc.

Tentative grading system

VIII. OFFICE HOURS and Other HELP

My office is located in Patton Hall 301P . You can reach me at (540) 231-4418 or e-mail to vuela(at)vt.edu. The following virtuall office hour will apply to the class. You will receive an invitation to the office hours.

Feel free to ask questions in class and during these office hours and do not hesitate to raise issues of class concern. If these office hours result inconvenient to you please let me know and I will try to arrange an appointment at some suitable time. If you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible during my office hours.

Special Accommodations

Students are encouraged to address any special needs or special accommodations with me during the first two weeks of the semester, or as soon as you become aware of your needs. Those seeking accommodations based on disabilities should obtain a Faculty Letter from the Services for Students with Disabilities office (540-231-0858) located at 250 S. Main Street Suite 300 (Kent Square). You can visit the following web site for information http://www.ssd.vt.edu/ ).

University Principles

Virginia Tech is a public land-grant university, committed to teaching and learning, research, and outreach to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world community. Learning from the experiences that shape Virginia Tech as an institution, we acknowledge those aspects of our legacy that reflected bias and exclusion. Therefore, we adopt and practice the following principles as fundamental to our on-going efforts to increase access and inclusion and to create a community that nurtures learning and growth for all of its members:

• We affirm the inherent dignity and value of every person and strive to maintain a climate for work and learning based on mutual respect and understanding.
• We affirm the right of each person to express thoughts and opinions freely. We encourage open expression within a climate of civility, sensitivity, and mutual respect.
• We affirm the value of human diversity because it enriches our lives and the University. We acknowledge and respect our differences while affirming our common humanity.
• We reject all forms of prejudice and discrimination, including those based on age, color, disability, gender, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, and veteran status. We take individual and collective responsibility for helping to eliminate bias and discrimination and for increasing our own understanding of these issues through education, training, and interaction with others.
• We pledge our collective commitment to these principles in the spirit of the Virginia Tech motto of Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).

Covid-19 / Influenza/ RSB Protocols

Virginia Tech is committed to protecting the health and safety of all members of its community. By participating in this class, all students agree to abide by the Virginia Tech Wellness principles (https://www.vt.edu/public-health/covid-19/covid-guidelines.html). To adhere to these, you must do the following in this class:

• Mask are optional but encouraged.
• Do not attend the class if you are sick. Test yourself if you suspect COVID-19 or RSB.
• Isolate yourself from campus if you test positive for COVID or begin to feel symptoms that might be related to COVID (see: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html).
• Be respectful of the well-being of others by practicing appropriate personal hygiene and by providing appropriate physical distance when feasible.
• I will create a virtual class for CEE 3804 allowing you to attend if your are sick or traveling (remember that I expect you to attend the class except for illness or travel).
  

If a student will miss significant class activities because of the need to self-isolate, then the Dean of Students Office should be contacted for an official absence verification. Prolonged absences may be difficult to make-up. Students should consult with their advisor about possible options if too much course work is missed to feasibly make-up. I have pre-recorded classes so I can provide guidance on what lectures to watch if you miss a lecture.