ENGR 131: Transforming Ideas to Innovation I

Course Information

• Course Number: ENGR 13100
• Course Title: Transforming Ideas to Innovation I
• Credit Hours: 2.0
• Modality: Face-to-Face
• Prerequisites: None
• Course Sections:

Instructor's Contact Information

Course Description

Help Sessions

Grading Scale

Grades are assigned according to the percentage of available points earned as detailed in the tables below. Note that to move on to ENGR 13200, your final grade in ENGR 13100 must be a C- or better. There is no rounding of grades in ENGR 13100.

Percentage of Final Course Grade Per Category

Grading and Feedback

The purpose of grading is to assess your understanding and utilization of the concepts taught in the course, and to provide you with feedback about the strengths and weaknesses evident in your work. Full credit may be awarded on items that are mostly correct even if the work still contains errors in understanding. Therefore, it is important that you not only check your score on a particular assignment or exam, but also review the feedback provided by the graders in Brightspace or Gradescope. This feedback will help you improve your understanding of the concepts being assessed and, in turn, improve your performance on future work. 

Regrade Requests

If you have concerns about how an assignment was graded, submit a Regrade Request Form (in Brightspace) to your GTA with a detailed description of the concern. 

• Regrade requests are only open for a limited time after grades have been posted – 7 days normally, but less at the end of the semester. 
• Your request must be concise and professional. Please see Communication with the Teaching Team (under Professional Expectations below) for proper communication etiquette.
• If the regrade request is approved by the teaching team, your assignment or exam will be completely regraded. The updated grade may increase, decrease, or stay the same, depending on the outcome of the regrade process.

Professional Expectations

Each Professional Expectation (PE) in ENGR 13100 reinforces the idea that everyone in our learning environment helps shape the environment so that it is positive and productive for all. This includes arriving for class on time and being prepared, listening and taking notes during the lecture, focusing on course activities during class, controlling your behavior to minimize distractions to those around you, and engaging with others in a respectful and professional manner.

Professional Expectations Deductions

The instructional team may deduct points from your semester total for behavior that is disruptive to your class or to your team’s dynamics and performance.

Communicating with the Teaching Team

When communicating with members of your ENGR 13100 teaching team, your email must originate from your Purdue email account and include:

• your name;
• ENGR 13100, section number, and team number (once teams are assigned);
• topic (e.g., assignment name); and
• a detailed description of your concern.

For professional communication, make sure your email is:

• appropriately addressed to the recipient (e.g., not “Hey,” but “Dear Professor”);
• includes a helpful subject line with ENGR 13100 included (e.g., “ENGR 13100: Question about Assignment 1”);
• written in complete sentences;
• specific (e.g., not “I have a question on the assignment” but “I have a question on part 2 of problem 3”); and
• concludes with an expression of appreciation for the reader’s time or help.

Allow at least 24 hours for emails to be answered.

Attendance Policy

Maintaining contact with your instructor, class, and team is an important part of your success in the classroom.  You are expected to attend classes and participate in the in-class activities.  You and your team will both benefit from your participation.  

You are responsible for:

• Preparation:  Be prepared for each class according to your instructor’s directions. This includes completing the assigned pre-class reading/videos and pre-class quizzes (found on Brightspace, as well as other tasks as assigned).
• Punctuality:  Arrive on time for class and be prepared to participate. 
• Participation:  Due to the team-oriented nature of this course, your consistent and enthusiastic participation in all parts of the course is important. Failure to participate in class is the same as not completing assignments and will be considered equivalent to an unexcused absence.

The teaching team will take attendance shortly after class starts. You will be marked present if you are in your seat and absent if you are not. If you arrive late, you are responsible for quietly checking in with the teaching team to request that your absence be changed to a tardy; not all requests will be granted.

Excused Absences 

• An approved ODOS absence from the Office of the Dean of Students. Access the Purdue Office of Dean of Students - Absences. 
• Documented chronic or long-term illness. In this case, please obtain documentation from the Office of Dean of Students and see your instructor and/or GTA. This should be done upon returning to class so that an effective course of action can be determined. 

Other situations may be excused at the discretion of your instructor.

Unexcused Absences

• If you know you will miss a class session, you must communicate with your instructor and GTA as soon as you become aware that you will be absent and before the missed class (except in extraordinary situations). 
• Failure to communicate with your instructor will result in an unexcused absence. 
• You must also communicate with your teammates as a professional courtesy to ensure you are aware of the topics being covered during the missed class, and to coordinate work on the course projects. 
• You are responsible for reviewing all missed content, completing any missed work, and preparing for your return to class.

• Your unexcused absence total is the sum of your tardy and absence counts.
• You are allowed up to three (3) total unexcused absences that can be taken for any reason without penalty. Each additional unexcused absence will result in a grade penalty.
  • The absence penalty is -20 points for every additional absence.
  • The tardy penalty is ½ of an unexcused absence (-10 points for every additional tardy).
  • These point deductions will begin after the allowed 3 total unexcused absences.
• If you have more than six (6) total unexcused absences, you will fail the course regardless of your class standing.

Example: A student has three tardies and two absences, and so has 3.5 total absences. This student will receive a 10-point deduction off their total grade. 

Example: A student has zero tardies and five absences, and so has 5.0 total absences. This student will receive a 40-point deduction off their total grade. 

Academic Integrity

You are a member of the Purdue community – a community that values integrity. Academic integrity is your pledge, as a member of the Purdue Engineering community, to uphold high standards of responsibility and honor in all your academic work. Your integrity is just as crucial to your engineering career as your technical knowledge. Academic dishonesty harms both. Build a strong foundation for ethical work and honorable standards as an engineer in your undergraduate years. 

You will be assessed in this course using individual and team submissions. When you complete anything designated as individual, everything you submit must be your own unique work. When completing anything designated as team, everything you submit must originate within the team and be the team’s own unique work.

Your work in this class should fulfill Purdue’s student-created honor pledge: “As a Boilermaker pursuing academic excellence, I pledge to be honest and true in all that I do. Accountable together – We are Purdue.”

To maintain academic integrity, comply with course and University policies. You will be held to the standards explained in these documents and to university regulations for student conduct. 

• Course Academic Integrity Policy
• Statement of Integrity and Code of Conduct
• Academic Integrity and You: Undergraduate Edition

Submitted work will be periodically checked for various forms of academic dishonesty.

Academic integrity is one of the highest values that Purdue University holds. Incidents of academic misconduct in this course will be addressed by the course instructor. Any violation of course policies relating to academic integrity will result minimally in a failing or zero grade for that assignment/exam, and at the instructor’s discretion may result in a failing grade for the course. Incidents of academic misconduct will be referred to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities (OSRR) for review, where university penalties may be considered.

Use of AI

Generative AI is a tool with strengths and weaknesses, just like any other tool. Good engineers use tools to strengthen their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. They understand their tools and use those tools ethically. Before you use generative AI, you need to understand how it can help you and what its limitations are.

General policy for generative AI use in this course: When you work on individual assignments, your submissions must represent your unique work. For team assignments, all submissions must originate from the team, reflecting the team's collective effort. Originality in work not only demonstrates a student's understanding and mastery of the material but also ensures a fair and equitable assessment of their skills and knowledge. It serves as a fundamental measure of a student's ability to apply what they have learned in the course to solve specific problems.

You are responsible for using generative AI in an ethical manner that supports and enhances your learning. The course academic integrity policy provides you with more detailed information about how to use generative AI appropriately. You must be familiar with and abide by these policies. They are summarized below.

You are PROHIBITED from using generative AI to undermine or devalue the learning experience for yourself or your classmates.

• Never ask generative AI to do a problem for you; always attempt your own solution before asking AI for help.
• Never plagiarize the output from a generative AI tool.
• Use of generative AI during an exam is strictly prohibited.
• Never submit any part of any course materials, which are copyrighted and cannot be shared outside the classroom without permission, to a generative AI platform.

Failure to submit your own unique solutions undermines the learning process and violates the trust and expectations set by Purdue and the engineering community.

Material Copyrights

The ENGR 131 materials and their notes are copyrighted or derivatives of copyrighted materials and shall not be sold, bartered, or posted on sites such as Course Hero, Chegg, and Quizlet in whole or in part without express permission from your instructor and the Associate Head of First-Year Engineering. 

Usage of Recordings

Course recordings are made available for students and should only be used for reviewing the content of the class. Course recordings may not be shared in whole or in part outside of ENGR 131 and shall not be uploaded to any external sites.

Nondiscrimination Policy Statement

Purdue University is committed to maintaining a community that recognizes and values the inherent worth and dignity of every person; fosters tolerance, sensitivity, understanding, and mutual respect among its members; and encourages each individual to strive to reach his or her potential. In pursuit of its goal of academic excellence, the University seeks to develop and nurture diversity. The University believes that diversity among its many members strengthens the institution, stimulates creativity, promotes the exchange of ideas, and enriches campus life. A hyperlink to Purdue’s full Nondiscrimination Policy Statement is included in our course Brightspace under University Policies.

Accessibility

Purdue University is committed to an inclusive and welcoming experience for all students. We strive to make learning experiences accessible to all participants. The Disability Resource Center (DRC) provides services, resources, and programs to facilitate equal access for disabled students, resulting in their full participation in curricular and co-curricular offerings.

If you anticipate or experience physical or academic barriers based on disability, you are encouraged to contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC@purdue.edu or 765-494-1247). If you are eligible for academic accommodations because you have a documented disability that will affect your work in this class and/or for an exam, you will use your DRC Course Accessibility Letter (CAL) and work with your instructor as soon as possible to discuss your needs.

Students with disabilities whose DRC Course Accessibility Letter (CAL) includes specific test accommodations, will work through your instructor and the FYE Instructional Support Team, so they can ensure proper accommodations are made. In some cases, exams may need to be scheduled with Purdue Testing Services (PTS). You must do this at least four (4) calendar days before the exam date listed on the syllabus. The FYE Instructional Support Team will provide PTS with your exam information. PTS will administer/proctor the exam for you. Students must inform the Instructor and GTA immediately of cases where PTS does not have space so that the FYE Instructional Support Team can make other arrangements. Students who fail to follow this process and these deadlines risk not being able to have their accommodations for that exam.

Mental Health/Wellness Statement

Purdue University is committed to advancing the mental health and well-being of its students.

• If you find yourself beginning to feel some stress, anxiety and/or feeling slightly overwhelmed, try WellTrack. Sign in and find information and tools at your fingertips, available to you at any time. 
• If you need support and information about options and resources, please contact or see the Office of the Dean of Students, 765-494-1747. Normal drop-in hours are M-F, 8 am - 5 pm.
• If you find yourself struggling to find a healthy balance between academics, social life, stress, etc., sign up for free one-on-one virtual or in-person sessions with a Purdue Wellness Coach at RecWell. Student coaches can help you navigate through barriers and challenges toward your goals throughout the semester. Sign up is free and can be done on BoilerConnect.
• If you’re struggling and need mental health services: Purdue University is committed to advancing the mental health and well-being of its students. If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed, depressed, and/or in need of mental health support, services are available. For help, such individuals should contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at 765-494-6995 during and after hours, on weekends and holidays, or by going to the CAPS office of the second Page 9 of 9 floor of the Purdue University Student Health Center (PUSH) during business hours. The CAPS website also offers resources specific to situations such as COVID-19.

Basic Needs Security

Any student who faces challenges securing their food or housing and believes this may affect their performance in the course is urged to contact the Dean of Students for support. There is no appointment needed and Student Support Services is available to serve students 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Emergency Preparation

Purdue University has an Integrated Emergency Management Plan (IEMP). This plan includes procedures, processes, and plans for responding to an emergency. Visit the Emergency Preparedness website for more information. Keep your cell phone on to receive a PurdueALERT text message. When on campus, it is important to:

• Follow instructions from emergency response personnel (police, fire department, etc.) when they are present.
• Be familiar with the emergency response procedures for your location.  

Procedures specific to the ENGR 131 classrooms are below:

General Emergency

For ANY emergency, call 911 (fire, medical emergency, etc.)

Fire Alarm or Evacuation

Gather all critical personal belongings and exit the building using the stairs. When exiting the building, do not use the elevator. Once outside the building, stay clear of all emergency vehicles and personnel. Meet your classmates north of Lambertus Hall (LMBS) by Mechanical Engineering (ME).

Shelter in Place

Could occur due to various situations, such as a tornado, accidental release of toxic chemicals, or an active threat (e.g. shots fired on campus).

• Tornado: Proceed down the stairs to the basement of Lambertus Hall (LMBS). Be prepared to sit (or kneel) on the floor, face a wall, and cover your head.
• Other situations: The course of action will depend upon the situation. It is recommended that student remain in the classroom and wait for further instructions.

Course Adjustments

In the event of a major campus emergency, course requirements, deadlines and grading percentages are subject to changes that may be necessitated by a revised semester calendar or other circumstances beyond the instructor’s control. Relevant changes to this course will be posted onto the course website or can be obtained by contacting the instructor or GTA via email. You are expected to read your @purdue.edu email on a frequent basis.

^{Updated January 17, 2024}