It is a good idea to read a section ahead. The course is divided into three major units, each concluding with a midterm exam. These exams are common to all sections and are held in the evening. The material at the end of the course is often considered the most difficult. Although the final is comprehensive, much emphasis is placed on the last unit as it encompasses most of what is learned throughout the semester.
Homework is assigned over each section as it is covered in lecture.
It develops a mathematical perspective of physical systems and includes topics such as differential equations, linearity, periodicity, convolution, Laplace transforms, transfer functions, Fourier series, and Fourier Transforms. It is required that students be familiar with differential equations for this course. Homework is generally assigned weekly. Topics include time value of money, cash flow equivalence, continuous cash flows and compounding models, depreciation, tax considerations, and cost accounting overview. The material covered includes properties of materials at the micro and macro levels.