About the College of Engineering's Learning Center The 4,000-sq.-ft. Engineering Learning Center is located in Room 117 of Cushing Hall and offers each student in the College unique opportunities. First-year students will explore the many facets of engineering and how engineers work together to make a better world. Other students, already immersed in their studies, will use the Learning Center as a cross between a computer cluster, a design studio, and a laboratory. They will create their own experiments, develop demonstrations, test mathematical models via advanced computer simulations, and fabricate prototype systems as needed for their programs of study. Still others serve as Peer Mentors. In short, the Center strengthens the college's emphasis on experiential learning as it helps prepare young men and women to become engineers who will make a difference in their world. Equipment :: Engineering Courses Using the Center :: Scheduling Equipment Usage :: FAQs Equipment • LEGO® Equipment List (for EG10111/10112 students) Students can perform computer simulations and build and test electromechanical devices and chemically-reacting processes using the equipment within the Center. Group work tables, a PC network, storage areas for student projects, fume hoods, compressed air, a vacuum system, and fabrication tools help students take full advantage of the facility. They and their instructors can also use the audio-visual capabilities of the Center -- cable access and distance-learning technology -- for demonstrations and virtual field trips. Much of the equipment in the Center is based on engineering course activities. As such, the Center's equipment list will change from time to time to match student and faculty needs. For the current list contact the Learning Center Manager. The Learning Center offers a wide variety of equipment for portable and tabletop activities. These include: Equipment Built into the Learning Center • Audio-Visual Capabilities • Fume Hoods • Group Work Tables • Lockers for Project Storage • PC Network • Work Benches • Vacuum/Compressed Air • Chemical-Proof Sinks with Hot and Cold Running Water Equipment for Checkout or Use • Drill Press • Scroll Saw • Digital Multimeters • Hand Tools • Digital Oscilloscopes • Soldering Irons • RCX • Pumps • Constant Stir Tank Reactor • Scanning Lectron Microscope • Scales • Weights Equipment for EG 10111/10112 Course Sequence • Catapult • Pendulum • Robotics Invention Systems • Spring/Elastomer Calibration Structure Equipment for AME 30331 • Small Wind Tunnel • Fluid Metering Experiment Equipment for AME 50551 • Handy Boards and Accessories Engineering Learning Center Modules Funded by GE • Satellite Communication Learning Module • Micro-Electromechanical Systems (MEMS) • Engineering Learning Center Modules on Micro-Controller Interfacing • Degradation of Organic Contaminants in Ground Water Flows To suggest a useful piece of equipment or to donate materials to the Learning Center please contact the Center Manager at ngedde@nd.edu or by calling (574) 631-7032. [back to top] Engineering Courses Using the Center EG 10111/10112: Introduction to Engineering Systems I and II AME 40423: Mechanics and Machines AME 50551: Introduction to Robotics AME 30363: Design of Machine Elements AME 30331: Fluid Mechanics CBE 438: Chemical Process Control EE 41430: Senior Design I EE 41440: Senior Design II EE 20224: Introduction to Electrical Engineering [back to top] Scheduling Equipment Usage Computers are available any time the Learning Center is open as long as there is not a conflict with a class. Classes are scheduled in the Learning Center from 9:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, from 12:50 p.m. to 2:05 p.m. and 4:05 to 5:20 p.m. on Wednesday, and from 9:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. on Thursday. If the class is not using all of the computers, and you are quiet, you may work on computers #4-9 in the back of the Center, not in the middle of the class. Computers are available on a first-come, first-serve basis until 6:00 p.m. After 6:00 p.m. you can reserve a computer in one-hour time slots. No equipment may be taken out of the Center to perform an experiment or complete a project. If you have any questions, contact the Center Manager at ngedde@nd.edu or by calling (574) 631-7032. [back to top] Frequently Asked Questions How do I become a Peer Mentor? Peer Mentors are hired on a semester-by-semester basis. While some of the Peer Mentors will remain the same, due to scheduling conflicts the College anticipates needing to hire replacements for some of the mentors. If you're interested, stop by the Learning Center or e-mail the Center Manager at ngedde@nd.edu. Can I use any piece of equipment in the Learning Center? Yes. EG 10111/10112 students do have priority, but you can schedule and use any piece of equipment in the Learning Center. However, some equipment requires training prior to use. This must also be scheduled. Can graduate students use the facility? The Learning Center is open to all engineering students -- undergraduate and graduate. However, you still need to schedule equipment, and the facility is not available when classes are held in the Center. Can equipment leave the room? Absolutely not. If you take equipment out of the room, you risk losing all Learning Center privileges. How do I check out a piece of equipment? There are a couple of ways to check out equipment. If the Equipment Checkout room is manned, a Peer Mentor or Learning Center Monitor will guide you through the process. If the room is not manned, see the Learning Center Manager. What do I need to check out equipment? First, you'll need your student ID. Then, just sign the checkout sheet and the equipment, if available, is yours to use while you are in the Learning Center. All equipment stays in the Center and must be returned before you leave. This includes the RCX brick. If you are working on a long-term project, arrangements can be made to store equipment in Learning Center lockers. The Center will provide the lock. When are classes scheduled in the Learning Center? For the spring semester of 2006 classes will meet in the Learning Center on Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Wednesdays from 12:50 to 2:05 p.m. and 4:05 to 5:20 p.m., and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. [back to top]
	Computer Reservation Schedule Monday Computer reservations not available until after 6:00 p.m. (sign-up suggested) Tuesday Computer reservations not available until after 6:00 p.m. (sign-up suggested) Wednesday Computer reservations not available until after 6:00 p.m. (sign-up suggested) Thursday Computer reservations not available until after 6:00 p.m. (sign-up suggested) Friday First-come, first-served basis Saturday Noon to 6:00 p.m. (sign-up suggested) Sunday Noon to Midnight (sign-up suggested) To reserve a computer you must contact the Engineering Learning Center Manager, Natalie Gedde, at least 24 hours in advance by e-mail to ngedde@nd.edu. Priority is given to students enrolled in EG 10111/10112. You may only schedule equipment one week in advance. You will receive an e-mail confirming your request. Please check in with your student ID card at the Equipment Check-out room when you arrive at the Learning Center.