Fundamentals of Engineering Exam Review

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/fe-exam

Introduction

**Course Review: Fundamentals of Engineering Exam Review on Coursera** As an aspiring engineer, facing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam can be an intimidating experience. The assessment is a critical step toward professional licensure, and preparation can feel overwhelming. The course **“Fundamentals of Engineering Exam Review”** on Coursera is specifically designed to alleviate this stress, offering a comprehensive review of all the necessary topics to help you pass the exam with confidence. ### Course Overview This course consists of several meticulously organized modules covering key topics in Civil and Mechanical Engineering, ensuring students are well-equipped with the essential knowledge and problem-solving skills the FE exam demands. The structure is approachable, with each module focusing on a distinct subject area. Additionally, the course integrates theoretical concepts with practical examples, making it easier for learners to understand and apply the material. ### Key Features of the Course - **Thorough Content Coverage:** The course decently addresses the primary content areas of the FE exam, which include Mathematics, Probability and Statistics, Statics, Mechanics of Materials, Fluid Mechanics, Hydraulics and Hydrologic Systems, and Structural Analysis. - **Extensive Practice Problems:** Practice is emphasized, with numerous examples and problem sets provided throughout each module. This is crucial for mastering the exam's question format and difficulty level. - **Interactive Learning:** Engaging presentations and practical applications foster active learning, helping you to grasp complex concepts more effectively. ### Detailed Module Breakdown 1. **Mathematics (4.5 hours, Medium Difficulty)**: Covers all necessary mathematical principles from equations and algebra to differential equations and Fourier transforms. This module also includes practice problems that test your understanding of these concepts. 2. **Probability and Statistics (3 hours, Medium Difficulty)**: Offers insights into statistical principles, probability laws, and hypothesis testing. Understanding these principles is essential, as they form a significant part of the exam. 3. **Statics (3 hours, Medium Difficulty)**: Focuses on forces and moments acting on rigid bodies in equilibrium. The concepts covered in this section are foundational for many engineering disciplines. 4. **Mechanics of Materials (4 hours, Medium Difficulty)**: An essential module that delves into stresses and strains in materials, along with practical applications relevant to engineering. 5. **Fluid Mechanics (6 hours, Medium Difficulty)**: Explores fluid properties, fluid statics, and dynamics, which are central to both civil and mechanical engineering applications. 6. **Hydraulics and Hydrologic Systems (3 hours, Medium Difficulty)**: Applies fluid mechanics principles to real-world scenarios, including flow in pipes and open channels. 7. **Structural Analysis (2.5 hours, Medium Difficulty)**: An advanced focus on trusses and beams, helping engineers understand how structures withstand loads. ### Recommendations This course stands out for its clarity, organization, and depth of content. Whether you are a recent graduate or a working professional looking to brush up on your skills, it effectively prepares you for the FE exam. **Who Should Take This Course?** - Engineering students preparing for their FE Exam. - Professionals seeking to refresh their knowledge before taking the exam. - Anyone looking to solidify their understanding of core engineering principles. **Conclusion** In conclusion, the “Fundamentals of Engineering Exam Review” course on Coursera is an invaluable resource for anyone serious about passing the FE exam. With its structured modules, extensive practice problems, and clarity of instruction, it equips students with the tools they need to succeed. I highly recommend this course for those looking to advance their engineering careers and gain a solid foundation in essential engineering concepts. Taking this course could very well be the key to your success in becoming a licensed engineer.

Syllabus

ABOUT THIS COURSE

This section of the course will provide you with an overview of the course, an outline of the topics covered, as well as instructor comments about the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam and reference handbook.

This module reviews the basic principles of mathematics covered in the FE Exam. We first review the equations and characteristics of straight lines, then classify polynomial equations, define quadric surfaces and conics, and trigonometric identities and areas. In algebra we define complex numbers and logarithms, and show how to manipulate matrices and determinants. Basic properties of vectors with their manipulations and identities are presented. The discussion of series includes arithmetic and geometric progressions and Taylor and Maclaurin series. Calculus begins with definitions of derivatives and gives some standard forms and computation of critical points of curves, then presents grad, del and curl operators on scalar and vector functions. Differential equations are calcified and to methods to solve linear, homogenous equations are presented. Fourier series and transforms are defined along with standard forms, and finally Laplace transforms and their inverse are discussed. In all cases, basic ideas and equations are presented along with sample problems that illustrate the major ideas and provide practice on expected exam questions.Time: Approximately 4.5 hours | Difficulty Level: Medium

This module reviews the basic principles of probability and statistics covered in the FE Exam. We first review some basic parameters and definitions in statistics, such as mean and dispersion properties followed by computation of permutations and combinations. We then give the definitions of probability and the laws governing it and apply Bayes theorem. We study probability distributions and cumulative functions, and learn how to compute an expected value. Particular probability distributions covered are the binomial distribution, applied to discrete binary events, and the normal, or Gaussian, distribution. We show the meaning of confidence levels and intervals and how to use and apply them. We define and apply the central limit theorem to sampling problems and brieflyt- and c2. We define hypothesis testing and show how to apply it to random data. Finally, we show how to apply linear regression estimates to data and estimate the degree of fit including correlation coefficients and variances.In all cases, basic ideas and equations are presented along with sample problems that illustrate the major ideas and provide practice on expected exam questions. Time: Approximately 3 hours | Difficulty Level: Medium

This module reviews the principles of statics: Forces and moments on rigid bodies that are in equilibrium. We first discuss Newton’s laws and basic concepts of what is a force, vectors, and the dimensions and units involved. Then we consider systems of forces and how to compute their resultants. We discuss the main characteristics of vectors and how to manipulate them. Then the meaning and computation of moments and couples. We discuss the concept of equilibrium of a rigid body and the categories of equilibrium in two dimensions. We show how to draw a meaningful free body diagram with different types of supports. Then how to analyze pulleys and compute static friction forces and solve problems involving friction. The concept and major characteristics of trusses are discussed, especially simple trusses, and we show how to analyze them by the method of joints and the method of sections. Finally, we analyze the geometrical properties of lines, areas, and volumes that are important in statics and mechanics of materials. These are moments of inertia, centroids, and polar moments of inertia of simple and composite objects. In all cases, basic ideas and equations are presented along with sample problems that illustrate the major ideas and provide practice on expected exam questions.Time: Approximately 3 hours | Difficulty Level: Medium

This module reviews the principles of the mechanics of deformable bodies. We first review the basic concepts of equilibrium and stresses and strains in prismatic bars under axial loading. Then we discuss the major mechanical properties of common engineering materials, particularly the diagrams for normal stress and strain leading to Hooke’s Law, and their relation to lateral strain through Poisson’s ratio. Shear stresses and their relation to shear strains are then presented. We then analyze in detail deformations and stresses in axially loaded members. This includes uniform and nonuniform loading for statically determinate and indeterminate structures. Thermal effects are then considered: expansion and contraction under temperature changes and the stresses that may develop both with and without prestresses. Stresses on inclined planes under axial loadings and the resulting maximum and minimum normal and shear stresses that result are then discussed. Torsion, the twisting of circular rods and shafts by applied torques is then analyzed. We show how to calculate the angle of twist and shear stress as functions of rod properties and shape under uniform and nonuniform torsion. Applications to power transmission by rotating shafts are presented. We then discuss how shear forces and bending moments arise in beams subject to various loading types and how to calculate them. This is then generalized to local forms of the equilibrium equations leading to rules for drawing shear force and bending moment diagrams. Finally, we compute bending stresses in beams. Strains due to bending and their relation to curvature are first discussed. This is used to compute the bending stresses and their relation to the applied bending moment and beam material and cross sectional properties. This includes a review of computation of centroids and moments of inertia of various areal shapes. We complete this module with a discussion how shear stresses arise in beams subject to nonuniform bending and how to compute them. In all cases, basic ideas and equations are presented along with sample problems that illustrate the major ideas and provide practice on expected exam questions. Time: Approximately 4 hours | Difficulty Level: Medium

This module reviews the basic principles of fluid mechanics particularly the topics covered in the FE Exam. It first discusses what a fluid is and how it is distinguished from a solid, basic characteristics of liquids and gases, and concepts of normal and shear forces and stresses. The major fluid properties are then discussed. Next fluid statics are addressed: pressure variation in homogeneous and stratified fluids and application to manometers; forces on submerged plane surfaces and buoyancy forces on fully and partially submerged objects.Flowing fluids are then covered. This includes the equations for conservation of mass (the continuity equation) and energy (the Bernoulli equation). These are then applied to velocity and flow measuring devices: the Pitot tube, and Venturi and orifice meters.The final topic is similitude and dimensional analysis. This includes concepts of fundamental dimensions and dimensional homogeneity, the Buckingham Pi theorem of dimensional analysis, and the conditions for complete similitude between a full-scale prototype flow situation and a small scale model.In all cases, basic ideas and equations are presented along with sample problems that illustrate the major ideas and provide practice on expected exam questions.Time: Approximately 6 hours | Difficulty Level: Medium

This module applies basic principles of fluid mechanics to practical problems in hydraulics, hydrology, and groundwater flow. We first discuss the generalized and one-dimensional momentum theorem and apply it to various typical problems. Flow in pipes and non-circular conduits is discussed beginning with the Bernoulli equation accounting for energy losses and gains. Calculation of head loss due to friction and minor losses due to valves and other accoutrements are presented. Friction losses are calculated for laminar Poiseuille flow and turbulent flow using the Moody chart; examples include computation of pressure drop in laminar pipe flow and turbulent water flow. Methods to calculate flow in pipe networks consisting of multiple connecting pipes and other fittings is then discussed with examples for parallel pipes. Pipes and turbines are then discussed along with their basic equations and definitions. Characteristic curves, especially of centrifugal pumps, are presented and it is shown how to match a pump to a system head.Flow in open channels are discussed including classification of flow types and prediction of uniform flow by the Manning equation. The use of specific energy concepts to solve gradually varying flows, and the importance of the Froude number and sub and supercritical flows are presented. Predictions of hydraulic jumps and flow over weirs are given.Hydrological principles include predictions of surface runoff by the curve number method and peak runoff by the rational formula. Groundwater principles include Darcy’s law for flow through porous media and prediction of drawdown by wells in confined and unconfined aquifers by the Dupuit and Thiem equations.In all cases, basic ideas and equations are presented along with sample problems that illustrate the major ideas and provide practice on expected exam questions.Time: Approximately 3 hours | Difficulty Level: Medium

This module reviews basic principles of the structural analysis of trusses and beams. It builds on material covered in Statics (Module 6) and Mechanics of Materials (Module 8). We first review the conditions for static equilibrium, then apply them to simple trusses and beams. We then consider the deflections of beams under various types of loadings and supports. We derive the differential equations that govern the deflected shapes of beams and present their boundary conditions. We show how to solve the equations for a particular case and present other solutions. The method of superposition and its application to predicting beam deflection and slope under more complex loadings is then discussed. Finally the conditions for static determinacy and indeterminacy are presented along with example applications to trusses and beams. In all cases, basic ideas and equations are presented along with sample problems that illustrate the major ideas and provide practice on expected exam questions.Time: Approximately 2.5 hours | Difficulty Level: Medium