Schedule (Updated for 2026)#
Assignments & Important Dates#
Note these are subject to change and updates. Check Gradescope regularly for confirmation)
Assignments are typically due at 10 PM via Gradescope unless otherwise directed. Key dates for the 2026 semester are listed here — see the course Canvas page for formal due times and submission instructions.
Date |
Description |
|---|---|
Friday, January 16, 2026 |
Homework 1 office hours (drop-in / TA help) |
Tuesday, January 20, 2026 |
Homework 1A — Modeling: Linear Systems |
Thursday, January 29, 2026 |
Homework 1B — Modeling: Second Order Systems |
Friday, January 23, 2026 |
Lab 0: Installing Python, Hardware Demo, Getting Started (no Gradescope submission) |
Friday, January 30, 2026 |
Lab 1: Step Test — Lab 1 prelab due (see lab instructions) |
Friday, February 6, 2026 |
Lab 2: Model Identification — Lab 2 prelab due |
Friday, February 20, 2026 |
Lab 3: Relay Control — Lab 3 prelab due |
Friday, March 6, 2026 |
Project proposals (team submission) |
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 |
Homework 2 Due / project proposal follow-up |
Friday, March 27, 2026 |
Lab 4: PID Control — Lab 4 prelab due |
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 |
Midterm Exam — 8:00 AM start (in class) |
Thursday, April 16, 2026 |
Lab 4 due (upload instructions on Canvas) |
Thursday, April 23, 2026 |
Homework 3 due |
Tuesday, April 21 & Thursday, April 23, 2026 |
Project Presentations (in-class; upload slides as PDF by 8 AM on presentation day) |
Tuesday, April 28, 2026 |
**Final (shorter) quiz ** — in-class component of final assessment; Final Project reports due (team submission) |
Note: If you need a specific due date clarified or an online submission window changed, flag it on Canvas or email the TA — we’ll add exact Gradescope deadlines there.
Laboratory Sessions#
Fridays from 10:30 am - 11:20 am (session 1) and 11:30 am - 12:20 pm (session 2) in 228 DeBartolo Hall (computer classroom).
Date |
Description |
|---|---|
Friday, January 16, 2026 |
Homework 1 office hours and intro to Lab 0 (drop-in / TA help) |
Friday, January 23, 2026 |
Lab 0: Installing Python, Hardware Demo, Getting Started (setup & software checks) |
Friday, January 30, 2026 |
Lab 1: Step Test — Lab 1 prelab due (see lab instructions) |
Friday, February 6, 2026 |
Lab 2: Model Identification — Lab 2 prelab due |
Friday, February 13, 2026 |
Lab 2 help / office hours (TA help) |
Friday, February 20, 2026 |
Lab 3: Relay Control — Lab 3 prelab due |
Friday, February 27, 2026 |
Lab 3 help (TA help) |
Friday, March 6, 2026 |
HW 2 office hour (practice exam / previous year’s exam) |
Friday, March 13, 2026 |
Spring Break (no lab) |
Friday, March 27, 2026 |
Lab 4: PID Control — Lab 4 prelab due |
Friday, April 3, 2026 |
No lab (Easter) |
Friday, April 10, 2026 |
Lab 4 help (TA help) |
Friday, April 17, 2026 |
Homework 3 office hours (TA help) |
Friday, April 24, 2026 |
Review for Final exam / office hours |
Note: See each lab page for prelab and submission instructions; if your lab session time conflicts with a presentation or exam, contact the TA to arrange a make-up.
Class Meetings#
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 - 10:45am in 102 DeBartolo Hall.
Date |
Main Topic / Notes (Note we may deviate from this anticipated schedule as the semester progresses and is only approximate) |
|---|---|
Tuesday, January 13, 2026 |
Welcome and Introduction to Process Control |
Thursday, January 15, 2026 |
CBE 20258 Review: Linear Algebra, Numeric Integration, Regression and more (refresher material, aids in starting Homework 1A) |
Tuesday, January 20, 2026 |
Modeling: Linear Systems — Homework 1A due |
Thursday, January 22, 2026 |
Introduction: Temperature Control Lab (lab orientation & safety) |
Tuesday, January 27, 2026 |
Modeling: Pharmacokinetics |
Thursday, January 29, 2026 |
Modeling: Second Order Systems — Homework 1B assigned in class |
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 |
Modeling: Temperature Control Lab (TCLab modeling & identification) |
Thursday, February 5, 2026 |
Nonlinear Regression — (lab: Lab 1 material; see Friday lab for hands-on) |
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 |
Modeling: Reactor System |
Thursday, February 12, 2026 |
Setpoints, Disturbances, Servo and Regulation Problems |
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 |
P, PI, and PID Control |
Thursday, February 19, 2026 |
Stability Analysis — (lab: Lab 2 material; lab meeting Fri Feb 20) |
Tuesday, February 24, 2026 |
PID Tuning |
Thursday, February 26, 2026 |
Implementation Issues (practical controller implementation) |
Tuesday, March 3, 2026 |
Optimization Modeling in Pyomo |
Thursday, March 5, 2026 |
Linear Programming Examples — (lab: Lab 3 material; see Friday for lab) |
Tuesday, March 10, 2026 |
Spring Break (no class) |
Thursday, March 12, 2026 |
Spring Break (no class) |
Tuesday, March 17, 2026 |
Nonlinear and Dynamic Optimization |
Thursday, March 19, 2026 |
No class — Work on group projects / practice exam (HW 2 due; check Canvas for deadlines) |
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 |
Simulation and Open-Loop Control |
Thursday, March 26, 2026 |
Advanced topics: TBA/Biological Applications — Calcium signalling dynamics |
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 |
Exam Review |
Thursday, April 2, 2026 |
No class — Work on group projects |
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 |
Midterm Exam — 8:00 AM start time (in class) |
Thursday, April 9, 2026 |
Advanced Topics : TBA/Optimization and Model Predictive Control |
Tuesday, April 14, 2026 |
Scheduled Project Consultations (in class) |
Thursday, April 16, 2026 |
Scheduled Project Consultations — Lab 4 due |
Tuesday, April 21, 2026 |
Project Presentations (in class) |
Thursday, April 23, 2026 |
Project Presentations — Homework 3 due |
Tuesday, April 28, 2026 |
Final (short) quiz/exam — in-class component of final project; Project reports due |