Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site wdl1.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!qantel!hplabs!hpda!fortune!wdl1!jbn From: jbn@wdl1.UUCP Newsgroups: net.cse Subject: Criteria Message-ID: <702@wdl1.UUCP> Date: Tue, 17-Sep-85 20:17:46 EDT Article-I.D.: wdl1.702 Posted: Tue Sep 17 20:17:46 1985 Date-Received: Sat, 21-Sep-85 05:36:30 EDT Sender: notes@wdl1.UUCP Organization: Ford Aerospace, Western Development Laboratories Lines: 20 Nf-ID: #N:wdl1:65700001:000:1030 Nf-From: wdl1!jbn Sep 17 12:45:00 1985 Some years ago, at Case Institute of Technology, in Cleveland, mechanical engineering students were required to take a course in structural engineering in which the grade was based entirely on one project. The project required designing a flat metal link. The link was to be made of a specified grade of aluminum, and had to carry a specified load. The link couldn't be straight; there were obstacles between the pins that the link had to go around; the obstacles changed from year to year. Each student turned in a drawing of their link. A machinist actually machined the link out of sheet aluminum; the student checked the link against the drawing, and when satisfied, presented the link for grading. The link was placed in a hydraulic testing machine and the specified load applied; if the link broke, the student failed the course. Passing grades were then computed based on weight, with lighter weight links receiving higher grades. This may seem harsh. But this is what engineering is all about. John Nagle Brought to you by Super Global Mega Corp .com