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CRITERION 7. FACILITIES A. Offices, Classrooms and Laboratories

The Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering is housed in the east wings of Jett Hall. The floor plan of this building is available in Attachment 18 on page 409 for reference to the subsequent discussion.

1. Offices

CHME faculty and administrative operations are found on the 200-level of the Jett Hall east wing, where there are ten faculty offices 122-226 sqft), a main office (JH 268, 385 sqft), a small meeting room (JH 264, 156 sqft), a conference room (JH274, 393 sqft), and lecture hall (JH259, 1441 sqft). The lecture hall is scheduled centrally, though CHME has the first option on course placement.

2. Classrooms and associated equipment

As noted previously, the lecture hall (JH 259) is central to CHME operations. This hall accommodates as many as 95 students. The teaching station includes computer with overhead display, Panopto-controlled cameras, and 70ʺ LCD side-wall displays. Half of the seating is arranged around movable tables (to permit flipped classroom arrangements for classes up to about 60 students), while the other half is stadium seating at tables fixed to the floor.

3. Laboratory facilities

The CHME teaching laboratory (JH 193) is found along the south corridor on the 100-level in the east wing of JH. The lab is 2,455 sqft in floor space and contains the experimental rigs as described on the undergraduate lab webpage (https://chme.nmsu.edu/academics/undergrad/undergraduate-chme-laboratory/), also provided in Attachment 19 on page 411. The Seidel Brew Laboratory (a component of CHME 423L beginning Fall 2018) is located in the pilot bay area of JH 184 with floor space of 1088 sqft. Students pursuing the Brewery Engineering minor and those on the AICHE student chapter Seidel Brew Lab Operations Committee will have access to this facility.

The research laboratories include: JH 278 hazardous materials lab (592 sqft), JH 280 analytical lab (579 sqft), JH 282 glassware/autoclave room (172 sqft), JH 284 BSL-2 clean room (163 sqft), JH 286 laser research (409 sqft), JH 288 microscope lab (159 sqft), JH 289 chemical research (5702 sqft), JH 290 equipment storage (172 sqft), JH 292 energetic materials lab (591 sqft), JH 295 lab manager office (639 sqft) and are located along the south corridor on the 200-level in the east wing of JH. Undergraduates who enroll in CHME 498 Undergraduate Research are often provided access to this restricted area where there is a need after completing safety training.

The CHME coursework computer laboratory (JH 177, 815 sqft) is also on the 100-level of the east wing of JH. This computer lab is arranged in a lecture configuration whereby all seats face toward a teaching podium with the same capabilities as in JH 259 described previously.

CHME Student Commons area (JH 178, 1491 sqft) is located on the 100-level of JH, adjacent to the coursework computer lab. This area is equipped with tables and chairs to provide CHME students with a location to study in groups. Amenities in this area include a kitchenette (JH 179, 122 sqft), storage for AICHE equipment (JH 180, 117 sqft), the Shires Library, and student storage lockers.

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B. Computing Resources

The CHME coursework computer laboratory (JH 177) includes 34 workstations that include all software titles of importance to the program, including: MS Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint), Aspen Plus, Simulation Solutions distillation column simulator, Matlab, and Mathcad. These facilities are networked through the university computing center. CHME students have 24/7 access to the computing facilities in Jett Hall.

CHME students also have access to common computing facilities in the College of Engineering located in ECI 210 A and ECI 210B during normal hours of operation.

All NMSU students have access to computer facilities found in Hardman & Jacobs Learning Center (HJLC), Pete’s Place (CCSU), Knox Hall (KH), Vista del Monte Convenience Store (VDM), and the ICT Computer Center (CP) at the hours defined on the ICT website (http://studenttech.nmsu.edu/).

C. Guidance

Operations in the CHME undergraduate laboratory are overseen by the instructor of record of CHME 323L/324L/423L/424L.

For 300-level labs, students complete a pre-lab quiz which has questions regarding experimental procedure, background, and safety. Course instructor then goes over the experiment and apparatus in detail with the students, including safety aspects, on the day students begin work. The pre-lab is worth 25% of the grade for that experiment, and students have to complete it before beginning the experiment.

For 400-level labs, students write an extensive pre-lab detailing procedure, data analysis, and safety aspects. Instructor then goes over the experiment in detail with students on they day they begin experimental work. The 400-level pre-labs are worth 40% of the grade for that experiment, and students are not permitted do the lab work until completing the pre-lab.

Access to and use of the research laboratories requires completion of safety training (https://chme.nmsu.edu/research/ehs/) as defined by the CHME faculty. Performing any operation requires completion and approval of an Experimental Safety Plan (https://chme.nmsu.edu/research/ehs/experimental-safety-plan-esp/ ).

D. Maintenance and Upgrading of Facilities

The College of Engineering charges students in ENGR a technology fee beyond university tuition. The funds raised by this technology fee are used to maintain and upgrade technology used in the program, from computers to teaching laboratory equipment.

Every January, the department heads submit their computer hardware/software proposals to the Assoc. Dean of Academics, who forwards to our student leadership for distribution and feedback. These proposals are revised per feedback and approved around the March time frame for the following academic year budget. Our College Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Systems Analyst (CSA) and his staff then works with departments to procure and install the proposed items. The College ICT staff is comprised of student workers also funded by the E-Fee. A work order system is also in place for any faculty or staff who requires ICT help. Our College ICT staff is supported by the University ICT staff, with a university level manager dedicated to the College of Engineering and who supervises our CSA.

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Computer hardware is replaced every 5-6 years. The CSA keeps an updated inventory list to aid with requirements. Software and college software licenses are maintained by our CSA.

Machine tools and equipment are inspected annually by EHS for compliance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910 regulations. Maintenance of the tools and specific tool based training for the students are provided by each shop supervisor. Safety classes and refreshers are given to students in each department by the College of Engineering Safety Specialist that include general safety topics as well as machine and tool hazards.

E. Library Services

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