The MSE program, sponsored through the Extended Education and Engineering Departments of Texas Christian University, can be presented in either a three (3) or four (4) day version at the customer’s facility and is the only one of its type sponsored at a major university. Dr. Walter teaches the 3-day program, while both Dr. Walter and Prof. Stein collaborate equally on the 4-day program. Both programs include hardware examples. However, the four-day program also incorporates laboratory demonstrations. 2.1 CEUs are awarded for the 3-day program and 2.8 CEUs are awarded for the 4-day program.

Program Objectives: The Measurement System Engineering program provides today's engineering professionals with a proven method to understand, design, interpret, and use measurement systems for testing and control applications. The uniqueness of the course can be found in the fact that it is based upon a Unified Approach to measurement system design developed over a 50-year period. 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.

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."

Program Content: The program first sets forth the fundamentals of measurement system design (transducer model, component interface requirements, noise documentation and suppression, common mode rejection, …). Numerous applications, demonstrations and hardware examples are provided. Once this foundation for the course is established, attention is focused on the static measurement of specific measurands such as strain, pressure, force, acceleration, and temperature. Next, the dynamic measurement of these same measurands is considered.

Transducer dynamic models are developed, signal types defined, data validation techniques given, and transducer and measurement system calibration techniques provided. Additional data system requirements applicable to dynamic measurements are discussed, some of which include data sampling resolution, data filtering, and data system frequency response requirements. Data analysis and utilization are also covered in detail. Last, a brief overview is provided of the new technologies that will impact measurement system design over the next decade.