Faculty Syllabus

A study in programmable logic controllers (PLC).

Topics include processor units, numbering systems, memory organization, relay type devices, timers, counters, data manipulators, and programming.

NOTE: The below information is SUBJECT TO CHANGE

• PLC Overview
• PLC Hardware components
• Number systems and codes
• Logic fundamentals
• PLC programming
• PLC wiring and ladder logic programs
• Timers
• Counters
• Program control structures
• Data manipulation
• Math instructions
• Troubleshooting

Attendance/Participation:

Attendance is crucial and may make the difference between passing and not passing. Students are expected to attend each class and be on time.

More than three unexcused absences from the class may result in you being withdrawn from the class. If you arrive late, inform your instructor before you leave class in
order to be counted present for that session.

There are a number of in-class exercises and labs where working in groups is key to the successful outcome.  In these settings team work, cooperation, and patience is essential for success.

Electronic Devices
Students must turn off or mute all cell phones during lab and class time. No other electronic devices are allowed in class. No text messaging is allowed in class.

Food and Drinks
NO food or drinks are allowed in the classroom nor the laboratories. All tools and lab
supplies must be returned to their appropriate location. Please keep chairs and tables where
they belong. Return all equipment, tools, etc.. back to where they belong.

Attendance and being on time are mandatory and do affect your grade. Students who have three or
more unexcused absences may be dropped from the course or will result in 10 points being deducted
from the final class grade. An unexcused absence is the following: If you are late more than 15 minutes,
leave early (more than 30 minutes) or come in and out of the classroom where you disrupt the other
students and the class lecture.  

Exams

Exam times and content are announced in advance of the exam. Students are expected to take the exam at the scheduled time and
place. Assignments will help prepare the student for the exams. The instructor may specify additional material to aid in preparig for
the exams.

Calculator: If applicable, you will need a simple scientific calculator. You will not be allowed to use cell phones, tablets
or other smart devices as calculators during exams.

NO MAKE-UPS WILL BE GIVEN unless a written medical or personal reason is submitted to the instructor and notice provided
beforehand. It is up to the instructor’s discretion to allow a make-up exam or not. If a make-up exam is allowed, it may be the
same or a similar exam. Exams will cover the material presented including reading and lab assignments.

Assignments

Assignments are due per the course schedule. The specific lab assignments(see below) and homework problems due
are listed in Blackboard in their respective sections/folders within the Course Material section as well as the instructions
for completing them. Late homework/lab assignments will not be accepted unless approved by the instructor.

Lab Assignments

During lab assignments, students will work in teams. Teamwork is essential to accomplish the lab and capture the required data.
Once the lab is completed and the data has been captured and shared with the team each student will write and submit
his or her own lab assignment.

Labs assignments will require set-up, running the experiment, and analyzing of your results. These are due by the
date indicated unless otherwise specified and will be graded in class. Time will be given during class to work on lab
assignments.

Students must submit his/her own work to get credit. A lab project submitted after the due date will have points deducted. Lab
assignments not turned in will be assigned a grade of zero. Late lab assignments will not be accepted.

Incompletes

A student may receive a temporary grade of “I” (incomplete) at the end of the semester only if the following conditions are
satisfied:

The student is unable to complete the course during the semester due to circumstance beyond their control. The student must
have earned at least half of the grade points needed to earn a “C” by the end of the semester.
Arrangement for an incomplete must be made with the instructor. A “Report of Incomplete Grade” form must be completed by
the instructor and filed with the department.

To convert the incomplete “I” into a grade, the student must submit for grading all work required to complete the course to the
instructor by a date specified by the instructor within the next immediately following semester, but absolutely no later than 2
weeks prior to drop date of the that semester. Incompletes not completed by the date specified automatically become a letter
grade of “F” for the course.

WITHDRAWAL POLICY

The last day to request 70% refund is February 9th.

 The last day to withdraw is April 27th.

If circumstances arise such that you cannot complete this course, it is to your advantage to drop the class by the
deadline to avoid getting an unsatisfactory grade on your permanent school record. Students or instructors may initiate
withdrawals anytime during the semester before the official withdrawal deadline. Withdrawal forms are available from campus
Admissions and Records offices.

Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawal from a course may have on their financial aid,
veterans’ benefits, and international student status. Per state law, students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or
later at any public Texas college or university may not withdraw (receive a W) from more than six courses during their
undergraduate college education. Some exemptions for good cause could allow a student to withdraw from a course
without having it count toward this limit. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when making
decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals.

Please note that the outline is tentative.  The schedule may change during the semester.  
Any changes will be communicated to the class via Blackboard (or other resource used by faculty for communication with students).

   Week 

1. Introduction, PLC Overview
2. PLC selection, PLC Hardware components
3. Number systems and codes
4. Exam 1
5. Logic fundamentals, PLC programming
6. PLC wiring and ladder logic programs
7. Exam 2
8. Timers
9. Counters
10. Program control structures
11. Exam 3, Project Work
12. Data manipulation
13. Math instructions
14. Troubleshooting
15. Exam 4 Review
16. Exam 4

The power point slides and assignments will be the main source of reading material for this course.
These will be available in Blackboard. There is no required textbook however the below textbook
will be used to provide most of the material and may be purchased if desried. 

Programmable Logic Controllers by Frank Petruzella, 6th. Edition
ISBN 978264163342

Upon completing this course, the student should be able to:

a. Identify a PLC and its parts/components and its principles of operation
b. Identify input/outputs and their types(analog vs. digital) which are used with a PLC.
c. Understand the memory design of a PLC
c. Describe the types of architectures of a PLC.
d. Configure a PLC using the software provided.
e. Understand the types of electrical connections for inputs/outputs of a PLC(sourcing, sinking)
f.  Understand the scan cycle for a PLC
g. Understand the fundamentals of logic as related to PLC operations
h. Understand the basics of PLC programming

In 1990, the U.S. Department of Labor established the Secretary’s Commission on
Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) to examine the demands of the workplace and
whether our nation’s students are capable of meeting those demands. The Commission
determined that today’s jobs generally require competencies in the following areas:

A. Resources: Identifies, organizes, plans and allocates resources
B. Interpersonal: Works with others
C. Information: Acquires and uses information
D. Systems: Understands complex interrelationships
E. Technology: Works with a variety of technologies

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board requires that all degree plans in
institutions of higher education incorporate these competencies and identify to the
student how these competencies are achieved in course objectives. This course
incorporates the SCANS competencies in the following ways:

A. Resources
B. Interpersonal
C. Information
D. Systems
E. Technology
F. Basic Skills
G. Thinking Skills
H. Personal Qualities

NOTE: This information is subject to change
Lab Assignments                     40%
Exams (4 @ 15% each)          60%

Note: Exams will be taken through Blackboard and will be closed book and notes unless otherwise indicated.

Course letter grades

90 – 100:       A
80 – 89.99:    B
70 – 79.99:    C
60 – 69.99:    D
Below 60:      F

Students will use the Blackboard learning management system for assignment instructions,
submitting assignments, collaboration and taking Exams.

The methods of instruction include hands-on assignments as well as classroom instruction.

Labs will be conducted during class time.

Classroom instruction will consist of interactive lectures, class discussions, exercises,
PowerPoint presentations, and video illustrations. Students will need to study/complete
the posted reading and/or homework assignments as noted in the course schedule.

NOTE: In order to be successful in this class, students will need to study 1 to 2
hours outside of class for each hour the class meets per the course schedule.

Computers with internet access are available in the classroom for in-class assignments. 
Homework will consist reading assignments, post-lecture problem sets, and internet research.

For general ACC student advicing, students can find their assigned advisor by logging into MyACC austincc.edu/MyACC and doing the following:

1. Click on “My Advisors” on the right-hand side
2. View your advisor’s email address and phone number
3. Contact your advisor to schedule an appointment

Students who are pursuing Advanced Manufacturing or Engineering Technology certificates or AAS degree, should reach out to Natalia or Sonia for advising.

• Natalia S. Almanza (Email: natalia.almanza@austincc.edu )
  • Appointment Link: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/appointments/AcZssZ2dlbfDI_6X7ZECVAKoLpz5_-zhNnegL5gav1Q=
• Sonia Santamaria (Email: Sonia.Santamaria@austincc.edu )
  • Appointment link:  https://calendly.com/BATMET

Introduction: The use of generative AI (GAI) is permitted in this course under certain
conditions and with instructor approval for the purposes of enhancing learning while
maintaining academic integrity.

1. Rationale: GAI is permitted to foster technological fluency and to leverage advanced
tools for research, projects and other relevant assignments, as long as it does not
substitute for the students’ original work, critical thinking and learning.
2. Definition of GAI: Generative AI encompasses technologies that create content through
learned patterns and data without direct human input.
3. Usage Permissions: Permitted: GAI can be used for initial research, idea generation,
and learning coding practices. It is not to be used for final submissions unless explicitly
cited and discussed. Students should check with their instructors for approval before
using AI in their assignments.
4. Resources: The ACC Library provides guidance on the ethical and effective use of GAI .
Additional resources may be provided by your instructor.
5. Assessment: Contributions of GAI must be clearly cited and will be assessed on the
student’s ability to critically analyze and integrate the AI-generated content.
6. Penalties: Misuse of GAI, including a failure to cite, will be considered a breach of
academic integrity, with consequences including a failing grade for the assignment and
academic review.
7. Exceptions: Should the technology be required as an accommodation, exceptions will be
made on a case-by-case basis.

Student Support Services (link)

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

College Policies (link)