Whether Mechatronics or PLC, the Course Should Be Accepted by Both EECS and EET

摘要

A primary goal of a course in Programmable Controller Applications is to help the student find good employment. Another goal of the course should also be to support other subjects taught in the digital sequence as well as networking and programming. The paper develops a list of topics that would possibly be covered in a comprehensive PLC course. Rational for inclusion of various topics will be discussed as well as the name change to Mechatronics from PLC. The instructor has been responsible for teaching and developing texts in the area of PLCs and teaching their content to EET majors for a number of years. One class also included EECS students while their instructor was on a sabbatical. The same instructor is now also responsible for teaching the EECS students in their own PLC course. From the author's perspective in industry, there is a concern for the lack of student awareness of the high expectations of PLC work once the student graduates. It is commonly accepted that 90% of the jobs in the mid-west served by this university require some proficiency in the use of PLCs. One person who had hired over 20 EET majors in the past few years observed that the EET majors all had some PLC experience and knew how to 'hit the ground running'. Most companies today do not want to spend money trying to convince the recent graduate that programming the PLC is something worthwhile. They want the student to already be convinced and willing to accept the challenges of program creation from day one. A course for EECS as well as EET using the PLC should be taught by someone with experience from industry and the willingness to stay abreast of trends in the market. It would not have the same impact if taught by one without a passion for the course.