Faculty Syllabus

There are no predecessor class requirements for this course. 

Attendance/Participation:  Attendance is crucial and may make the difference between passing and not passing this class. You are expected to show up to every class and be on time.  There are several in-class exercises and labs where working in groups is key to the successful outcome. In these settings teamwork, cooperation, and patience are essential for success.

Blackboard access: All class materials will be made available on Blackboard.   Grades will be entered in Blackboard so you can track progress, and announcements/updates will be made through Blackboard.  Access and regular use are essential for your success in this course. 

Calculator: You will need a simple scientific calculator. You cannot use cell phones, tablets, or other smart devices as calculators during exams.

A Notebook and Binder:  Recommended for taking notes and keeping copies of your assignments/exams.

Missed or Late Work:

Exams - If you know that you will miss an exam in advance, contact me before the exam to make arrangements for a make-up and to avoid a grading penalty. 

Labs and Homework - Late labs and homework will receive a 10% reduction in grade (for example a 100 becomes a 90).  The assignment must be received within a week of the due date.  If later than one week that assignment will receive a zero grade.

Textbook: You are not required to purchase a textbook for this course. 

All class presentation material will be made available through Blackboard.

Course Description:  Understanding of automated manufacturing systems. Emphasizes hardware, input/output devices, and process control.

Course Rationale:  

Welcome to a course designed to be the launchpad for your career in the ever-evolving world of manufacturing. This isn’t just about learning the basics—it’s about equipping you with the skills and knowledge that today’s industry demands.

This course is your gateway to mastering these technologies through hands-on labs, engaging lectures, dynamic class discussions, and interactive activities.

Course Objectives/Outcomes: In this course, you’ll gain a clear understanding of the key hardware components that drive automated manufacturing systems. You’ll learn how these components operate, how to evaluate their performance, and how to troubleshoot issues effectively. 

Labs and Lab Reports: In the lab exercises, you’ll work closely in teams to accomplish tasks and gather essential data. Teamwork is key to completing the lab and sharing the results. Once the data is collected, each student is expected to write their own lab report individually.

Course Schedule

Tentative Course Schedule:

• Class Begins                                    January 21st
• Week 1                                            Introduction, Electrical Safety
• Week 2                                            Process Control, Power Delivery
• Week 3                                            Switches, Fuses and Symbols
• Week 4                                            Relays
• Week 5                                            Exam 1
• Week 6                                            Signals (analog vs. digital)
• Week 7                                            Input/Output devices
• Week 8                                            Sensors
• Week 9                                            Sensors
• Week 10                                          Exam 2
• Week 11                                          Pneumatics/Hydraulics
• Week 12                                          Motors
• Week 13                                          Schematics
• Week 14                                          Project work
• Week 15                                          Project Presentations
• Week 16                                          Final Exam

Course Grading

Course grading will consist of exams, labs, homework, projects, and participation:

• Safety Exam                             15%
• Exams (2x, 20% ea.)                40%
• Labs / Homework                     20%
• Project Work                             10%
• Final Exam (Comprehensive)   15%
• Total                                          100%

Student Support Services

The success of our students is paramount, and ACC offers a variety of support services to help, as well as providing numerous opportunities for community engagement and personal growth.

Student Support

ACC strives to provide exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of opportunities and services.  Information on these campus services and resources is available at  http://www.austincc.edu/students.

Student Accessibility Services

Students with documented disabilities who need classroom, academic, or other accommodations must request them through the office Student Accessibility Services (SAS).   SAS offices are located at each major campus.  Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three weeks before the start of the semester; otherwise, the provision of accommodations may be delayed.  Students who have received approval for accommodations from SAS for this course must provide the instructor with the document titled “Notice of Approved Accommodations” from SAS before accommodations will be provided. Accommodations will not be provided retroactively. Arrangements by the instructor for academic accommodations can only be made after he or she receives the “Notice of Approved Accommodations” from the student.

Additional information about Student Accessibility Services is available at https://www.austincc.edu/offices/student-accessibility-services-and-assistive-technology

Academic Support

ACC offers academic support services on all of its campuses. These services, which include face-to-face and online tutoring, academic coaching, and supplemental instruction, are free to enrolled ACC students. Tutors are available in a variety of subjects ranging from accounting to pharmacology. Students may receive these services on both a drop-in and referral basis. Tutoring schedules can be found at:  https://www.austincc.edu/students/tutoring/tutoring-schedules

Library Services

ACC has a full-service library at each of its campuses to support ACC courses and programs and to provide students with research and assignment assistance from expert faculty librarians, computers, course reserves, laptop and tablet check out, study spaces, and copying, printing, and scanning services.  In addition, ACC students have full rights and privileges to access Library Services online 24/7 via the ACC Library website and students can use their ACCeID logins to access all online materials, including ebooks, articles from library databases, and streaming videos.   ACC Libraries also provide an “Ask a Librarian” service, which allows students to reach a librarian 24/7 through online chat.  Faculty librarians are also available via email, phone, and in person seven days a week during hours of operation. Visit:

• Library Website: http://library.austincc.edu
• Ask a Librarian: https://library.austincc.edu/help/ask.php
• Library Hours of Operation by Location: https://library.austincc.edu/loc/
• Email: library@austincc.edu

In partnership with ACC’s Student Support Center, ACC Libraries also maintain a limited collection of textbooks for students to borrow. Priority access to the textbook collection is given to students receiving assistance. More information is available on the ACC website by searching “Student Support Center Textbook Collection.”

Student Organizations

ACC has over seventy student organizations, offering a variety of cultural, academic, vocational, and social opportunities.  They provide a chance to meet with other students who have the same interests, engage in service-learning, participate in intramural sports, gain valuable field experience related to career goals, and much else.  Student Life coordinates many of these activities, and additional information is available at http://sites.austincc.edu/sl/.

Personal Support

Resources to support students are available at every campus. To learn more, ask your professor or visit the campus Support Center. All resources and services are free and confidential. Some examples include, among others:

• Food pantries are located in all campus Student Life offices: https://sites.austincc.edu/sl/programs/foodpantry/.   
• Assistance with childcare or utility bills is available at any campus Support Center: http://www.austincc.edu/students/support-center.
• The Student Emergency Fund can help with unexpected expenses that may cause you to withdraw from one or more classes: http://www.austincc.edu/SEF.
• Help with budgeting for college and family life is available through the Student Money Management Office: http://sites.austincc.edu/money/.  
• Drop-in child care is available at Highland Campus: http://www.austincc.edu/students/child-care/child-watch-drop-in-center

Clinical Counseling services are available throughout the ACC Student Services District to address personal and or mental health concerns: http://www.austincc.edu/students/counseling.

If an emergency occurs during operational hours, please come to the Student Services Office and let the front intake staff know that you are experiencing a crisis. They will alert appropriate personnel. You may also contact the ACC District Police at 222 (on campus) or 223-7999 (off campus or cell phone).

After Hours:
If you are struggling with a mental health or personal crisis, call one of the following numbers to connect with resources for help. However, if you are afraid that you might hurt yourself or someone else, call 911 immediately.

 Free Crisis Hotline Numbers:

• Austin / Travis County 24-hour Crisis & Suicide hotline: 512-472-HELP (4357)
• The Williamson County 24-hour Crisis hotline: 1-800-841-1255
• Bastrop County Family Crisis Center hotline: 1-888-311-7755
• Hays County 24 Hour Crisis Hotline: 1-877-466-0660
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Crisis Text Line: Text “home” to 741741
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline:  
  1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline:1-800-950-NAMI (6264)

College Policies

Health & Safety Protocols

Operational areas of ACC campuses and centers are fully open and accessible through all public entrances.  While some health & safety protocols are no longer mandatory, the college encourages its staff, faculty, and students to be mindful of the well-being of all individuals on campus.  If you feel sick, feverish, or unwell, please do not come to campus.  Some important things to remember:

• If you have not done so, ACC encourages all students, faculty, and staff to get vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines are now widely available throughout the community. Visit www.vaccines.gov/ to find a vaccine location near you.
• If you are experiencing COVID-19-related symptoms, please get a COVID-19 test as soon as possible before returning to an ACC facility. Testing is now widely available.
• If you test positive, please report it on the ACC self-reporting tool located here.  Per CDC guidelines, face masks remain a good way to protect yourself from COVID-19.  Because of the everchanging situation, please go to ACC’s Covid website at    https://www.austincc.edu/coronavirus?ref=audiencemenu for the latest updates and guidance.
• The college asks that we all continue to respect the personal space of others. We are encouraging 3 feet of social distancing ï‚· Please be sure to carry your student, faculty, or staff ID badge at all times while     on campus.   

Statement on Academic Integrity

Austin Community College values academic integrity in the educational process.  Acts of academic dishonesty/misconduct undermine the learning process, present a disadvantage to students who earn credit honestly, and subvert the academic mission of the institution. The potential consequences of fraudulent credentials raise additional concerns for individuals and communities beyond campus who rely on institutions of higher learning to certify students' academic achievements and expect to benefit from the claimed knowledge and skills of their graduates. Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations.  Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, falsifying documents, or the inappropriate use of the college’s information technology resources.  Further information is available at https://www.austincc.edu/about-acc/academic-integrity-and-disciplinary-process.

Student Rights & Responsibilities

Students at ACC have the same rights and protections under the Constitution of the United States. These rights include freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition and association. As members of the community, students have the right to express their own views, but must also take responsibility for according the same rights to others and not interfere or disrupt the learning environment. Students are entitled to fair treatment, are expected to act consistently with the values of the college, and obey local, state, and federal laws. www.austincc.edu/srr 

As a student of Austin Community College you are expected to abide by the Student Standards of Conduct. https://www.austincc.edu/students/students-rights-and-responsibilities/student-standards-of-conduct 

Senate Bill 212 and Title IX Reporting Requirements 

Under Senate Bill 212 (SB 212), the faculty and all College employees are required to report any information concerning incidents of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking committed by or against an ACC student or employee.Federal Title IX law and College policy also require reporting incidents of sex- and gender-based discrimination and sexual misconduct. This means faculty and non-clinical counseling staff cannot keep confidential information about any such incidents that you share with them.

If you would like to talk with someone confidentiality, please contact the District Clinical Counseling Team who can connect you with a clinical counselor on any ACC campus:  (512) 223-2616, or to schedule online:  https://www.austincc.edu/students/counseling . 

While students are not required to report, they are encouraged to contact the Compliance Office for resources and options:  Charlene Buckley, District Title IX Officer, (512) 223-7964;  compliance@austincc.edu .

If a student makes a report to a faculty member, the faculty member will contact the District Title IX Officer for follow-up.

Student Complaints

A defined process applies to complaints about an instructor or other college employee. You are encouraged to discuss concerns and complaints with college personnel and should expect a timely and appropriate response. When possible, students should first address their concerns through informal conferences with those immediately  involved; formal due process is available when informal resolution cannot be achieved. 

Student complaints may include (but are not limited to) issues regarding classroom instruction, college services and offices on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or disability. 

Further information about the complaints process, including the form used to submit complaints, is available at: http://www.austincc.edu/students/students-rights-and-responsibilities/student-complaint-procedures

Statement on Privacy

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects confidentiality of students’ educational records. Grades cannot be provided by faculty over the phone, by e-mail, or to a fellow student. 

Recording Policy

To ensure compliance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), student recording of class lectures or other activities is generally prohibited without the explicit written permission of the instructor and notification of other students enrolled in the class section.  Exceptions are made for approved accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act.  

Recording of lectures and other class activities may be made by faculty to facilitate instruction, especially for classes taught remotely through BlackBoard Collaborate or another platform.  Participation in such activities implies consent for the student to be recorded during the instructional activity.  Such recordings are intended for  educational and academic purposes only.

Safety Statement

Health and safety are of paramount importance in classrooms, laboratories, and field activities. Students are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies.  Emergency Procedures posters and Campus Safety Plans are posted in each classroom and should be reviewed at the beginning of each semester.  All incidents (injuries/illness/fire/property damage/near miss) should be immediately reported to the course instructor. Additional information about safety procedures and how to sign up to be notified in case of an emergency can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/emergency Everyone is  expected to conduct themselves professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual may be immediately dismissed from the day’s activity and will be referred to the Dean of Student Services for disciplinary action.

In the event of disruption of normal classroom activities due to an emergency situation or an outbreak of illness, the format for this course may be modified to enable completion of the course. In that event, students will be provided an addendum to the class syllabus that will supersede the original version. 

Campus Carry

The Austin Community College District concealed handgun policy ensures compliance with Section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code (also known as the Campus Carry Law), while maintaining ACC’s commitment to provide a safe environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors.  Beginning August 1, 2017, individuals  who are licensed to carry (LTC) may do so on campus premises except in locations and at activities prohibited by state or federal law, or the college’s concealed handgun  policy. 

It is the responsibility of license holders to conceal their handguns at all times  Persons who see a handgun on campus are asked to contact the ACC Police Department by dialing 512-223-1231.   Please refer to the concealed handgun policy online at http://austincc.edu/campuscarry 

Discrimination Prohibited

The College seeks to maintain an educational environment free from any form of discrimination or harassment including but not limited to discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

Faculty at the College are required to report concerns regarding sexual misconduct (including all forms of sexual harassment and sex and gender-based discrimination) to the  Manager of Title IX/Title VI/ADA Compliance.  Licensed clinical counselors are available across the District and serve as confidential resources for students. 

Additional information about Title VI, Title IX, and ADA compliance can be found in the ACC Compliance Resource Guide available at:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o55xINAWNvTYgI-fs-JbDyuaMFDNvAjz/view

Use of ACC email

All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s

ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a

timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify students of any

college- related emergencies using this account. Students should only expect to receive

email communication from their instructor using this account.  Likewise, students should

use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff.  Information

about ACC email accounts, including instructions for accessing it, are available at: 

http://www.austincc.edu/help/accmail/questions-and-answers

Use of the Testing Center

For Fall, 2021, the Testing Centers will allow only limited in person testing and testing

time will be limited to the standard class time, typically one and one-half hours. 

Specifically, only the following will be allowed in the Testing Centers:

• Student Accessibility Services (SAS) Testing: All approved SAS testing
• Assessments Tests: Institutionally approved assessment tests (e.g., TSIA or TABE)
• Placement Tests: Placement tests (e.g., ALEKS)
• Make-Up Exams (for students who missed the original test): Make-up testing is available for all lecture courses but will be limited to no more than 25% of students enrolled in each section for each of the four tests
• Programs incorporating industry certification exams: Such programs (e.g., Microsoft, Adobe, etc.) may utilize the ACC Business Assessment Center for the industry certification exams (BACT) at HLC or RRC. The instructor should provide additional information about how they will conduct examinations and other assessments here

Department Addendum

• All degree and certificate seeking students should declare their major at the Admissions and Records Office or with an ACC advisor if they have not done so already.

• Students in the department of Engineering Technology or Advanced Manufacturing, who are seeking a degree or certificate in any specialty area, should visit with one of our area-of-study student advisors; Vidal Almanza, (Hays Campus, Student Affairs office, (512) 262-6533; vman@austincc.edu) or Riverside, South, Caleb Engler, 512-223-6173. caleb.engler@austincc.edu; Christien Rawlins (Round Rock Campus, Student Affairs office, (512) 223-0033; calexan4@austincc.edu)
   
• Other advisors for specific areas-of-study can be found at: http://www.austincc.edu/support-and-services/services-for-students/areas-of-study-advising

  Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) Policy – NO AI USE PERMITTED

  Introduction

  In this course, the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Bard, Copilot, DALL·E, etc.) is strictly prohibited for all coursework, assignments, labs, and assessments. All work submitted must be entirely your own, produced without the aid of any generative AI system.

  Rationale

  This course is designed to strengthen your foundational understanding of manufacturing automation, problem-solving, and hands-on technical skills. GAI may produce answers that appear correct but lack the accuracy, context, or depth required in this technical field. Relying on AI bypasses essential learning objectives, inhibits your skill development, and undermines academic integrity.

  Definition of GAI

  For this course, Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) refers to software or systems that can autonomously generate text, code, images, or other content based on user prompts. This includes—but is not limited to—tools such as ChatGPT, Bard, GitHub Copilot, Jasper, Grammarly’s AI rewriting features, and AI image or code generators.

  Resources

  No GAI tools are permitted in this course. Therefore, no instructional resources for GAI usage will be provided or supported.

  Assessment

  All student work will be assessed on the assumption that it is generated solely by the student. Any content suspected to have been created by GAI will be investigated as a potential violation of academic integrity.

  Penalties

  Use of GAI tools in violation of this policy will be treated as academic dishonesty. Consequences may include:

• A zero on the assignment or lab.
   
• A formal report filed with the college’s academic integrity office.
   
• Further disciplinary action per institutional policy, up to failure of the course.
   

• Exceptions

  At this time, there are no exceptions to this policy. If a future assignment or situation calls for limited or instructional GAI use, it will be clearly communicated and guided by the instructor. Until then, assume all GAI use is prohibited.

  Usage Permissions

• ✅ Permitted: None. No use of GAI tools is permitted for any part of this course.
   
• ❌ Prohibited: All GAI-generated text, code, diagrams, summaries, reworded responses, or assistance of any kind—including brainstorming, troubleshooting, or content improvement—is not allowed.
   
• 🚫 Required: There are no assignments or activities in this course that require GAI.