Design and analysis are today taught throughout the nation at the university level. The design problem asks: What system should I create to produce a given response to a given input? Similarly, the analysis problem asks: What is the response of a system to a given input? The remaining problem - measurement - asks: What physical input (pressure, temperature, acceleration, flow, etc.) was responsible for that specific system response (usually represented in units of volts, coulombs, amps, etc.)? Professionals use measurement every day to validate analysis, verify design, or control processes, yet measurement is seldom taught within the framework of our formal education system.

The design of any complex system, whether mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrical, or other, begins by initially modeling and analyzing its constituent subsystems. Testing and the resultant measurements are used to validate this modeling activity. At the system level of design, we often find ourselves with a somewhat limited ability to model accurately and perform analysis successfully. To verify a complex design at the system level, we become even more dependent on testing and measurements.

Alternately, if not supporting design, we depend on measurements to control processes. Measurements are depended upon to deploy airbags in automobiles, control liquid levels in filling processes, indicate out of balance conditions in jet turbines, and control the temperature in our workplace, and many other activities. However, the technology associated with transducer selection and installation and measurement system design optimization is largely untaught.

The Measurement System Engineering Short Course provides today's engineering professionals with a proven method to understand, design, interpret and use measurement systems for testing and control applications. It is intended for:

(1) the senior technicians who wants to learn about transducers and their application, transducer physics, and measurement system design,

(2) the experienced practitioners who wants to hone their skills in data analysis, participate in case studies and interact with peers possessing a great deal of knowledge in various measurement disciplines, and

(3) the analysts or managers who must look at test data and make decisions about its suitability for their application.

"Should be required for all engineers even remotely involved in test- measurements." Lawrence C. Schull, technical staff (ret.), McDonnell-Douglas Space Systems.

Held annually in Fort Worth on the campus of Texas Christian University, this Short Courses is geared toward individuals involved with making measurements for industry, government, or educational institutions. If the products or services you provide depend on measurement systems to any extent, you will benefit from the Measurement System Engineering Short Courses.