THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics
EM 306 Statics
Spring 2026
SYLLABUS
UNIQUE NUMBERS: 15730, 15735, 15740, 15745
INSTRUCTOR: K. Ravi-Chandar
Office: ASE 5.222
Office Hours: Mon 4:00 – 6:00 pm
e-mail through Canvas
TIME: TTh 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
PLACE: PAI 3.02
TUTORIAL SESSIONS:
15730 T 4 – 6 pm PAR 301 Pablo Vidal
15735 W 4 – 6 pm ECJ 1.308 Zhengjie Li
15740 T 6 – 8 pm ECJ 1.214 Luke Abrahams
15745 W 6 – 8 pm CPE 2.218 Juncheng Chen
TEACHING ASST Office Office Hours
Luke Abrahams EER 7.614 Thursday 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Zhengjie Li EER 7.614 Friday 12:30 – 2:00 pm
Pablo Vidal EER 7.614 Wednesday 1:00 – 2:30 pm
Juncheng Chen EER 7.614 Tuesday 9:00 – 10:30 am
OBJECTIVES:
To learn analysis of forces and moments, structures in equilibrium, and free-body diagrams.
TEXT:
Engineering Mechanics: Statics, by Bedford and Fowler, Pearson.
Any edition or any similar book can be used.
TOPICS:
1. Introduction
2. Forces and moments
3. Equilibrium
4. Trusses, frames and machines
5. Centroids and second moments
6. Distributed loads
7. Beams: shear forces and bending moments
8. Friction
9. 3D problems of equilibrium
EM 306 Course Syllabus Spring Semester
UNIQUE NUMBERS: 15730, 15735, 15740, 15745 2026
PREREQUISITES:
Credit for M 408D and PHY 303K, 103M
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES STUDENTS SHOULD HAVE BEFORE
ENTERING THIS COURSE:
Basic geometry, trigonometry, calculus, and mechanics portion of college physics
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES STUDENTS GAIN FROM THIS COURSE:
Basic principles of equilibrium, analysis of forces and moments in statically determinate
structures, free-body diagrams, distributed loads, friction, and shear force and bending moment
diagrams in beams.
IMPACT ON SUBSEQUENT COURSES IN CURRICULUM:
The topics of this course are basic engineering subjects that must be understood by anyone
concerned with structures and materials. The course is an essential prerequisite for subsequent
courses, EM 311 and EM319.
RELATIONSHIP OF COURSE TO PROGRAM OUTCOMES:
This course contributes to the following ABET Criterion 3 outcomes and those specific to the
EAC accredited program.
Outcome Outcome
a. An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and g. An ability to communicate effectively
engineering
b. An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to h. The broad education necessary to understand the impact of
analyze and interpret data engineering solutions in a global/societal context
c. An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet i. A recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in life-
desired needs long learning
d. An ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams j. A knowledge of contemporary issues
e. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering k. An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern
problems engineering tools necessary for engineering practice
f. An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
ABET PROGRAM CRITERIA OUTCOMES ACHIEVED:
Program criteria outcomes are unique to each degree program and are to be compiled from the
program criteria given for each degree program and listed in bullet format below. The faculty
should check which of the program criteria are achieved in the course.
Criterion Criterion Criterion
A. Aerodynamics G. Orbital Mechanics M. Preliminary/Conceptual Design
B. Aerospace Materials H. Space Environment N. Other Design Content
C. Structures I Attitude Determination and Control O. Professionalism
D. Propulsion J. Telecommunications P. Computer Usage
E. Flight Mechanics K. Space Structures
F. Stability and Control L. Rocket Propulsion
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EM 306 Course Syllabus Spring Semester
UNIQUE NUMBERS: 15730, 15735, 15740, 15745 2026
CLASS FORMAT:
Each week there will be two lecture periods (TTh 12:30 – 2:00 pm; PAI 3.02) and one discussion
session. The discussion sessions meet at times scheduled for each section (see front page) and
will be led by one of the Teaching Assistants.
ATTENDANCE:
Attendance in all classes and tutorial sessions is required. We will use UT Instapoll to capture
attendance. Other details will be provided in Quiz 0.
You must attend the discussion session for which you are registered; changes can be made only
through the registration processes.
HOMEWORK:
Homework will be assigned on Canvas every week. Completed homework should NOT be
turned in; solutions will be posted on Canvas one week after assignment.
EXAMINATIONS:
• All quizzes and exams will be closed books and notes.
• Calculators may be used
• Weekly quizzes at every tutorial session
• Three mid-term exams: February 3, 2026; March 3, 2026; April 9, 2026. These exams will
be held during the lecture hours (12:30 pm – 2:00 pm).
• The final exam will be comprehensive; see UT Schedule for the date, time and location.
• No make-up quizzes or exams will be given except for officially authorized absences.
The lowest two quiz grades will be dropped. Other details will be provided in Quiz 0.
GRADING:
Attendance, quizzes, mid-term exams, and final exam contribute to the final grade as below:
Attendance: 5%
Quizzes: 10%
Mid-terms: 50%
Final: 35%
Plus/Minus grading will be used.
DISABILITY AND ACCESS:
The university is committed to creating a learning environment consistent with federal and state
law. Please let me know if you experience any barriers to learning so I can work with you to
ensure you have equal opportunity to participate fully in this course. If you are a student with a
disability, or think you may have a disability, and need accommodations please contact
Disability and Access (D&A). Please refer to D&A’s website for contact and more information:
[Link] If you are already registered with D&A, please deliver your
Accommodation Letter to me as early as possible in the semester so we can discuss your
approved accommodations and needs in this course.
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EM 306 Course Syllabus Spring Semester
UNIQUE NUMBERS: 15730, 15735, 15740, 15745 2026
IMPORTANT DATES:
For important deadlines on dropping the course, please see the academic calendar:
[Link]
EVALUATION:
Measurement and Evaluation Center forms for the College of Engineering will be used during
the last week of class to evaluate the course and the instructor. If, at any time during the
semester, you have any comments or concerns regarding the course, please feel free to send them
(anonymously, if you prefer) to the instructor.
SHARING OF COURSE MATERIALS IS PROHIBITED: No materials used in this class, including,
but not limited to, lecture hand-outs, videos, assessments (quizzes, exams, papers, projects,
homework assignments), in-class materials, review sheets, and additional problem sets, may be
shared online or with anyone outside of the class unless you have my explicit, written
permission. Unauthorized sharing of materials promotes cheating. It is a violation of the
University’s Student Honor Code and an act of academic dishonesty. I am well aware of the sites
used for sharing materials, and any materials found online that are associated with you, or any
suspected unauthorized sharing of materials, will be reported to Student Conduct and Academic
Integrity in the Office of the Dean of Students. These reports can result in sanctions, including
failure in the course.
Class Recordings:
Class recordings are reserved only for students in this class for educational purposes and are
protected under FERPA. The recordings should not be shared outside the class in any form.
Violation of this restriction by a student could lead to Student Misconduct proceedings.
Prepared by: K. Ravi-Chandar Date: January 9, 2026