This is the website for the UCSB course ME 103 “Dynamical Systems”, Fall 2026. This information is always available at the URL http://motion.me.ucsb.edu/ME103-Fall2026. online].

Description

Equations of Motion for Mechanical, Electrical, Heat, Fluid, and Control Systems. Block diagram algebra and interconnections. Laplace transform. Transfer functions and dynamic stability. First and second order systems. Frequency response. Introduction to mechanical vibrations and feedback control design.

Prerequisites

Math 3AB, Math 4AB, Math 6AB (calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra)

ME 16, Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics

Knowledge of differential equations, dynamics, and complex numbers.

Lecture Time and Place

Mon Wed 11-12:15 in BIOEN 1001 (BioEngineering 1001)

Instruction: Monday Sep 28 - Wednesday Dec 2 (Finals Dec 7-13)

Holiday: Thursday-Friday Nov 26-27 (Thanksgiving)

Veteran's day on Wednesday November 11th.

Course credit

Units: 4.

UCSB expectation: 3 hrs per unit/per week. So a 4-unit course corresponds to 12 hours of work a week. 2.5h are lectures and 9.5 hours are expected to be dedicated to studying, homework, office hours, reading, etc.

Instructor

Professor Francesco Bullo
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Email: bullo-at-ucsb.edu
Website: http://fbullo.github.io

Professor Bullo office hours

Time: Tuesdays, 12:15pm-2:00pm
Place: ME Classroom = Engineering Building II, room 2243
Place online: https://ucsb.zoom.us/my/bullo

Comments

• No office hours on Tuesday Sep 29th (first week)

For online office hours: I would like to kindly request that you turn on your camera:

• Seeing facial expressions helps foster communication.

• You are very welcome to use a virtual background if you are uncomfortable showing their real environment.

Feel free to email me questions about the course. I will try to respond as quickly as possible. Additionally, I will share questions that are particularly good (and their answers) with the rest of the class by broadcasting my answer to the entire class.

TAs and their office hours

Qiaopeng Chen (xxx at ucsb.edu)

Office hours on Thanksgiving week are going to be only online (zoom room to be shared later).

TA office hours

Qiaopeng Chen's office hours
Room: Engineering II, room 3361, ME TA
Time: to be announced

If nobody shows up within an hour, the TA will leave (unless a specific email is sent to all two TAs warning about a late arrival).

Grading

Your grade will be assigned roughly according to the following percentages.

1. Homework = 20%

2. Midterm 40%

3. Final 40%

Partial credit might be given whenever the overall performance is low. If answers are not accompanied by satisfactory explanations (e.g., all intermediate steps, clearly readable handwriting), no credit will be given.

Exams (and quizzes, if any) will be closed book and closed notes. You may prepare an exam aid (cheat sheet) in your own handwriting, consisting of one, one-sided sheet (letter size, 8.5x11in) for the midterm and one, two-sided sheet for the final exam. No digital devices (cellphones, tablets, digital glasses, calculators, etc) are allowed during the exams.

In exceptional cases, I reserve the right to give extra points for excellent performance on the final. Please, do not count on it as a way to avoid doing homework assignments.

Final grades may be adjusted using a curve at my discretion, to ensure that grade distributions align with the expected performance standards for the course. If a curve is applied, it will be used to benefit students, never to lower a student’s grade.

Homework formatting

1. One Exercise Per Page: For clarity, please answer each exercise on a separate page. Gradescope allows you to associate each page with the corresponding question, which will help streamline the grading process for the TAs.

2. Box Your Final Answers: Be sure to draw a box around your final answers. Last year, it was sometimes challenging for the TAs to determine your final answers, which made grading more difficult. Clearly marking your final answers will help avoid confusion and help the TAs give you partial credit.

Collaboration Policy

Collaboration Policy for this course & Academic Dishonesty @ Wikipedia

Academic Integrity and Course Conduct

At UC Santa Barbara, any act of academic dishonesty is a violation of the Student Conduct Code. Specific examples of academic dishonesty include failing to properly attribute sources, utilizing commercial services (like Chegg or CourseHero), using generative AI tools to draft coursework without explicit prior permission, and accessing unauthorized electronic devices, smartwatches, or AI platforms during exams.

I maintain a strict zero-tolerance policy regarding academic integrity, and any violation will result in immediate consequences. A student found committing an infraction will receive an automatic zero on the assignment or exam in question and risks earning a failing grade ('F’) for the entire course. Additionally, I am obligated to report all violations to the UCSB Office of Student Conduct (OSC), which may lead to severe university-level disciplinary action, including suspension or dismissal. If you feel overwhelmed by deadlines, please seek help from me or campus resources rather than jeopardizing your academic career.

AI usage policy

You are permitted to use generative AI tools to assist with brainstorming, outlining, refining grammar, and better understanding complex topics. Ideally, you should learn what are current AI strenghts and weaknesses. However, it is academically dishonest and unacceptable to submit any work generated by an AI as your own.

The core principle is this: the final submitted work, including the arguments, the analysis, and the specific phrasing, must be a product of your own intellectual labor.

If you use an AI tool for assistance, I would appreciate a brief statement at the end of your assignment detailing which tool you used and for what specific purpose.

Submitting AI-generated content without proper attribution or presenting it as your own original work constitutes a violation of academic integrity. Such cases will be treated as plagiarism and will be subject to the penalties outlined in the university's academic misconduct policy, which may include a failing grade for the assignment or the course. You are responsible for the factual accuracy and originality of everything you submit. When in doubt about acceptable use, it is your responsibility to ask for clarification before submitting your work.

Digital Devices Policy

To help everyone focus and get the most from class, please keep phones silenced and out of sight (airplane mode or off). Laptops and tablets are allowed only for stylus-based note-taking, unless you have an approved accommodation through the campus Disability Services Office that requires another setup (in which case that accommodation takes priority).

If you expect an urgent call (e.g., medical or family emergency), let me know in advance and you may keep your phone accessible/visible. Research shows that visible devices reduce attention and retention, so this policy is in place to support your learning and success.

Resources for Students

The Division of Student Affairs provides a broad range of essential support services and resources to help UCSB students handle the challenges of university life.

Help during exams

Students with disabilities may request academic accommodations for exams online through the UCSB Disabled Students Program at http://dsp.sa.ucsb.edu.

Please make your requests for exam accommodations through the online system as early in the quarter as possible to ensure arrangement.

Managing stress

Personal concerns such as stress, anxiety, relationships, depression, cultural differences, can interfere with the ability of students to succeed and thrive.

If you find yourself, or another student, in need of support, please do not hesitate to reach out to Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), 24/7 at (805) 893-4411. http://caps.sa.ucsb.edu

Financial crisis response team

The UCSB Financial Crisis Response Team exists to assist UCSB students who may be facing a financial crisis or urgent financial need. In order to apply for emergency funding, please first email FinancialCrisis@sa.ucsb.edu. Within 1-2 business days, a Financial Aid Advisor will contact you for your next steps.

Gender and sex discrimination policy and student support

Under Title IX, university students are protected from harassment and discrimination based on gender and sex. If a student feels uncomfortable or in need of support at any time related to their gender, sex, and/or sexual orientation, please contact your TA and/or course instructor immediately. If a student would like to disclose information related to pronouns, name changes, or identities, we encourage you to do so. UCSB's Resource Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity on the 3rd floor of the Student Resource Building is also available to advocate and be of and support to students.

Food security

If you are facing any challenges securing food or housing and believe this may affect your performance in the class, you are urged to meet with a Food Security and Calfresh Advocate who is aware of the broad variety of resources that UCSB has to offer (see their drop-in hours at food.ucsb.edu). You are also urged to contact the professor or teaching assistant if you are comfortable doing so. Please visit food.ucsb.edu for additional resources including Calfresh, the AS Food Bank, and more.

Copyright policy

All course materials (class lectures and discussions, handouts, examinations, web materials) and the intellectual content of the course itself are protected by United States Federal Copyright Law, the California Civil Code.

• The UC Policy 102.23 expressly prohibits students (and all other persons) from recording lectures or discussions and from distributing or selling lectures notes and all other course materials without the prior written permission of the instructor (See Policy on Student Conduct and Discipline).

• I have made the textbook available with a copyright-friendly policy (see page 2 of the text).

• Students are permitted to make notes solely for their own private educational use. Exceptions to accommodate students with disabilities may be granted with appropriate documentation.

To be clear, in this class students are forbidden from completing study guides and selling them to any person or organization.