Course Information

Classroom meetings:

MWF 10:45-11:35 AM in M LI 1130

Help session for projects:

TBD

Office hour:

W 1:30 2:30 PM in WEB 1813

TA's help session:

TBD in WEB 1622.

Name

Office

Email

Instructor:

Stacy Firth

WEB 1813

stacy.firth@utah.edu

TAs:

Yi Zhang

u0738402@utah.edu

Shekh Rahman

shekh.rahman@utah.edu

Class
Liaison:

Prerequisite: "C-" or better in CH EN 3603 and CH EN 3553

Catalog Description: Introduction to practical and theoretical aspects of process control, process
dynamics, empirical model identification and feedback control of single-input, single-output
processes; PID algorithm, tuning of the PID controller, stability analysis, time and frequency
domain design methods, digital implementation of process control, control system performance
and limitations, and trade-offs in controller design. Enhancements to single-loop PID control;
cascade control, feed-forward control, level and inventory control, and model predictive control.
rd

Text: Process Dynamics and Control , 3 Edition by Dale E. Seborg, Duncan A. Mellichamp,
Thomas F. Edgar, and Francis J. Doyle, Wiley, 2011.

Course Content:
Topic

No. of
Meetings

Introduction, Modeling, and Math

Background

Process Dynamics

Controllers and Instrumentation

Feedback Control System Design

Frequency Response

Feedforward, Cascade & Advanced

Control

Midterm Exams

1
42

Software: Matlab/Simulink is installed on all Department's computers and in the CADE Lab. You
may also wish to purchase a student's edition of Matlab (make sure it includes Control Systems
toolbox).

Handouts, solutions and downloads: Course related materials are available for download on
Canvas. Solutions to homework will be posted the day after the assignment is due.
Examinations:
All exams are closed book and closed notes.
One Mid-term exam: (date subject to change) Friday October 7. During this exam, you are only
allowed to have a single hand-written letter-size double-sided summary sheet prepared by you.
Final exam: Wednesday December 14, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in the
regularly scheduled classroom. The final will be the comprehensive
closed-book, closed-notes examination. During the Final, you are only
allowed to have two (2) letter-size double-sided summary sheets
prepared by you: one used during Mid-term examination and the second
sheet prepared for the Final.

Homework and Mini-project assignments:

o
o
o

o
o

Up to one homework per week, usually assigned/due on Mondays.

Up to 15 homework assignments in total, each 4-to-6 problems from the text with
occasional simulation-based assignments.
Homework will include the creation of a concept map for each chapter. Concept maps
are a graphical way to organize your understanding and are for your benefit. You may
draw them using pencil and paper or may use a computer program such as Lucidchart
(go to www.lucidchart.com to sign up for a free account.)
Participation in the discussion forum in canvas is encouraged. You must post a valid
question or a constructive comment at least 5 times during the semester. Extra credit will
be given to those who participate more than the required 5 posts.
Several experimental group mini-projects will be assigned during the semester. Each
group will submit a single report for each project. The group members will confidentially
provide peer evaluation by e-mail to the TA and the instructor (e.g., all participated
equally, etc.)

Guidelines for preparing mini-project and homework reports:

You are encouraged to use a computer word processor to typeset your reports. Make sure to
provide enough details. Remember that if TA cannot follow your solution, your grade will suffer. If
homework includes computer simulation, you should include:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Statement of the problem.

Description of the solution strategy.
Commented code, if appropriate.
Presentation and discussion of results.

Experimental projects may also require that you provide your hardware design for evaluation, the
collected data, and the results of experiments.

Grading guide:
The final graded will be curved. Because of that, TAs are instructed to pay close attention to
consistency of homework and project grades. I do my best to maintain consistency when grading
exams.
As a rule, "E" letter grade will be given to all students with composite numerical score less or
equal to 1/2 of the best score. For your reference, take a look at the grade distribution from one of
the previous years.
Many problems in this class are open ended, and are difficult to grade. Past experience shows
that if you write a detailed, motivated report, your grades will be higher. TA is instructed to use the
following grading scale as a guide only. It is not a rigid formula. If you would like to object your
grade, always start with the TA. If the TA changes your grade, please check with me to ensure
that my records are updated. If you are not satisfied after talking with the TA, you can request the
grade change from the instructor by making the case why the score should be changed.
On the ten-point basis:
10 - Problem completely correct as intended or completely correct based on an interpretation,
which could be correctly inferred from the problem statement.
9 - Substantially correct and complete but a few minor errors such as arithmetic.
8 - Substantially correct and complete but several minor errors or a major error such as bad
assumption.
7 - Minimum passing grade. Demonstrates acceptable understanding of the problem and
knowledge of proper methods of solution, but solution not correct or not complete.
6 - Below passing. Appears to understand the problem and have general idea of correct methods
of solution.
5 - Understanding of problem and partially correct method of solution.
4 - Indication of problem understanding. Wrong approach to solution.
3 - Understanding of problem, no solution.

2 - Partial understanding of problem.

1 - Something relevant on the paper which cannot be found in problem statement.
0 - Nothing on paper that is not in problem statement.

Grading basis for the class grade:

Homework: 10%
Projects: 20%
Mid-term exams: 30%
Final exam: 40%

Other Information:
1. Reading assignments are NOT optional.
2. Homework assignments and projects provide a major opportunity for learning in this
course, and individual learning is essential for each student to be successful in
learning the material. Students are encouraged to work in groups and seek help from
the instructor and peers. However, all homework reports must be individual. A single
report must be submitted by each project group and must be produced by group
members only. Students may not claim credit for work they have not contributed to in
a significant way -- this would be an ethics violation (see below).
3. Quality of presentation of written work. Written work in this course must satisfy a
quality standard. As a rule of thumb, if TA or I cannot follow your report, your writing
is inadequate. Inadequately written reports may be returned to the student ungraded
and a zero grade will be recorded. Written presentation must be neat and organized.
Problem solutions involving derivations and calculations must include explanatory
comments between steps and results must be set off clearly. Homework assignment
solutions must be on engineering paper if hand-written or on white paper if typed or
computer-printed. Please use only one side of a page. Multiple pages must be
stapled in the upper left corner. Take the time to make your work presentable!
4. Deadlines and late work. As a general rule, late work is not accepted. Most
assignments are due electronically on, and are late if turned in after the indicated
deadline. Exceptions are made in the case of illness and truly extraordinary
circumstances, provided the instructor is informed as early as possible.
Arrangements should be made in advance in the case of trips out of town. Work will
normally be due in advance of such trips. Examinations cannot, in general, be made
up.
5. Professional behavior is expected. A non-exhaustive list of expected behavior
includes: Showing up on time; Delivering on assignments and keeping up to your
word (do what you say youll do); Pulling your weight on a team; A healthy sense of
decorum; General interpersonal skills. A non-exhaustive list of what you should NOT
do includes: Eat; Text; Talk on subjects unrelated to the class; Talk loudly on any
subject; Behave in a disruptive or disrespectful way to other students, TAs, or
instructor; Browse the web for subjects unrelated to the class.
6. Academic ethics. If a student violates academic ethics in this course, the
consequences will be an automatic E in the course, and referral of the matter to the
Department Chair for possible further action. The basic rule is that students may not

present as their own the work of another person nor allow their own work to be
presented as the work of another student. Though I encourage student interaction
and group discussion of the assignments, all homework reports should be your own
work and project reports is the effort of the group members only. Experience shows
that even if you discuss problems in a group setting, the individual homework reports
are always different, unless violation of the ethics rule has taken place. Further note
that the purpose of exams is to assess your knowledge of the subject, and your
ability to apply such knowledge to solving problems. Any means used to increase
your score without corresponding increase of your knowledge are prohibited, and
their use will be considered as a violation of academic ethics,
7. Reasonable accommodation will be gladly provided for the known disabilities of
students in the class. If you wish to qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA), you should contact the Center for Disability Services, http://disability.utah.edu.
8. The COE Guidelines are now available on the web.