ME 41100 - System Dynamics and Control (Fall 2026)

Course Description

This is a fundamental undergraduate course on the classical theory of dynamic systems and control. It provides an introduction to mathematical modeling, analysis, and control of linear dynamic systems. The course emphasizes the frequency-domain techniques and the state-space methods for the analysis of linear systems and the synthesis of control laws meeting given design specifications. Some familiarity with linear algebra, as well as ordinary differential equations (ODEs), is strongly recommended, although the necessary material will be reviewed in the context of the course.

Announcement

Course Outline

• Dynamic models and dynamic response

  • Differential equations, transfer functions, poles and zeros, block diagrams, state space models, physical system modeling, time-domain specifications.

• Root locus techniques

  • Root locus method, dynamic compensation using lead and lag networks.

• Frequency response techniques

  • Frequency response, Bode plots, stability margins, Nyquist stability criterion, dynamic compensation.

• State-space design*

  • Similarity transformations, controllability, observability, pole placement, estimator design.

Prerequisites

Math 39100 (Differential Equations), Math 39200 (Linear Algebra and Vector Analysis), and ME 31100 (Fundamental of Mechatronics) or equivalent, or consent of instructor.

General Information

• Credits: 4

• Schedule:

  • Lecture: Mon/Wed 11:00AM - 12:15PM, Baskervill 106

  • Lab: (3EF) Wed 2:00PM - 4:50PM, Steinman 207, (5EF) Fri 2:00PM - 4:50PM, Steinman 207

• Instructor: Bo Wang

  • Department of Mechanical Engineering

  • Office: Steinman 247

  • Email: bwang1@ccny.cuny.edu

  • Website: https://bwang-ccny.github.io/ME41100.html

  • Office hours: Mon/Wed 1:00PM - 2:00PM, Steinman 247

• Homework and lab TA: Shuo Fang

  • Email: shuofang.cuny@gmail.com

  • Office hours: Appointment by email

• Lab manager: Robert Kallfa

  • Email: kallfa@ccny.cuny.edu

  • Office: Steinman C-36

Syllabus

This course syllabus will be populated and updated as the semester progresses.

All associated readings are from Franklin, Powell, and Emami-Naeini, Feedback Control of Dynamic Systems, Prentice Hall, (FPE), and K. Ogata, System Dynamics, 4th ed., Pearson Prentice Hall, (Ogata). After each class, lecture notes will be uploaded to Brightspace.

Fall 2026 Academic Calendar

Homework

Scan your homework with your name and CUNY Empl ID, and upload it to CUNY Brightspace as a single PDF. The PDF title should be “ME 41100 - HW# - [Your Name]”.

Textbooks and Reference Materials

The main textbook for the course will be:

• G. F. Franklin, J. D. Powell, A. Emami-Naeini, Feedback Control of Dynamic Systems, Pearson.

The most up-to-date edition of this book is the 8th edition. Previous editions should, for the most part, be fine, as the material will not be substantially different.

Other optional references for the course are:

• K. Ogata, System Dynamics, 4th ed., Pearson Prentice Hall.

• K. J. Åström and R. M. Murray, Feedback Systems: An Introduction for Scientists and Engineers, 2nd ed., Princeton University Press.

• K. Ogata, Modern Control Engineering, 5th ed., Prentice Hall.

• W. Palm III, System Dynamics, 3rd ed., McGraw-Hill.

• R. C. Dorf, R. H. Bishop, Modern Control Systems, 13th ed., Pearson.

Some subjects may not be covered by the textbooks. Class attendance is required to prepare for exams and homeworks.

Grading Policy

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

1. Weekly homework: 15%

2. Lab reports: 15%

3. Midterms: 15% \(\times\) 2 = 30%

4. Final exam: 40%

No late homework/lab report will be accepted. If answers are not accompanied by satisfactory explanations (e.g., all intermediate steps, clearly readable handwriting), no credit will be given.

(Materials submitted after the due date will not be graded. Final course grades will be submitted to the Registrar on the same day of the final exam.)

CCNY Grading System

Policy on Lateness and Absence

Exam Policy

The midterm exams will occur during the course's regular time slot. The final exam will occur during the time slot determined by the Registrar.

Exams will be closed books and closed notes. During exams, you will be allowed to use one reference sheet. Reference sheet must be on a Letter-size paper. Both sides may be used, and the reference sheet must be hand-written.

Academic Integrity

All students are subject to the university's academic integrity policies. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in any form. I will strongly adhere to the CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity, should the need arise. Instances of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to

• Copying solutions from other students during homework or during exams.

• Solutions from previous years: It is forbidden to look at or copy solutions for homework from previous years. There are certain questions that are asked from year to year because they are good questions: doing these questions yourself will assist in your understanding of the course material and will be crucial in your in-class tests.

You are encouraged to work with other students on your assignments, and to help other students complete their assignments, provided that you comply with the following conditions:

• Honest representation: The material you turn in for course credit must be a fair representation of your work. You are responsible for understanding and being able to explain and duplicate the work you submit.

• Give help appropriately: When helping someone, it is important not to simply give them a solution, because then they may not understand it fully and will not be able to solve a similar problem next time. It's always important to take the time to help someone think through the problem and develop the solution.

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. Students (and all other persons) are forbidden from recording lectures or discussions and from distributing or selling lecture notes and all other course materials without the prior written permission of the instructor. 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.