Instructor Insights

Course Overview

This page focuses on the course 6.685 Electric Machines as it was taught by Prof. James L. Kirtley Jr. in Fall 2013.

This course is taught with a classical approach to electromechanics. The course is motivated by understanding phenomena and addressing design-oriented problems through a rigorous approach. Examples incorporate current research and emphasize applicability of concepts.

Course Outcomes

Course Goals for Students

  • Understanding of principles and analysis of electromechanical systems
  • Mastery of electromechanical design of the major classes of rotating and linear electric machines
  • Ability to estimate the dynamic parameters of electric machines

Possibilities for Further Study/Careers

This course is pretty much a terminal subject, as there is no more advanced material in this area taught at MIT. Students might also take 6.641 Electromagnetic Fields, Forces, and Motion, or courses in heat transfer and structures. Many students who take this course do graduate work in machines, and some pursue PhD’s in the topic. There is a very strong demand for people with a background in this area, so industrial jobs are plentiful for students as well.

 

Curriculum Information

Prerequisites

6.061/6.690 Introduction to Electric Power Systems; or permission of the instructor.

Requirements Satisfied

H-Level Graduate Credit

Offered

Every other fall semester

The Classroom

  • Classroom with blackboard in front and tablet arm chairs arranged in rows.

    Room 1 of 1

    The course is taught in a traditional way. The professor lectures at the front of the room and uses the chalkboards. Students sit in the rows of seats as depicted.

 

Student Information

Fewer than 10 students take this course each year.

Enrollment

Fewer than 10 students took this course in Fall 2013.

Breakdown by Year

The class for Fall 2013 was fairly small, and mainly comprised of Prof. Kirtley’s own graduate students. Prof. Kirtley shares some thoughts about the class composition: “This course has evolved into something of an apprenticeship for my own graduate students, and I would like to see more students enrolled in the subject. I would like it if MIT were to produce more graduates who know and understand electric machines and electromechanics.”

Breakdown by Major

Most of the students were PhD candidates in electrical engineering, and a small percentage were PhD candidates in mechanical engineering.

Typical Student Background

Typically, a student should have some background in electromechanics (6.061 Introduction to Electric Power Systems) and circuits (6.002 Circuits and Electronics and 6.003 Signals and Systems).

 
 

How Student Time Was Spent

During an average week, students were expected to spend 12 hours on the course, roughly divided as follows:

Lecture

3 hours per week
  • Met 2 times per week for 1.5 hours per session; 26 sessions total
  • 2 quizzes were administered during class sessions in lieu of lecture
  • Prof. Kirtley shares some thoughts about the course format: “I teach the subject in a very classical (lecture/problem set/quiz) fashion, but with a lot of personal contact: I am available to talk with, and argue with, students in the class. I really enjoy, and I think the students do too, the give and take that comes from arguing about advanced ('hard') problems.”
 

Out of Class

9 hours per week
  • Readings from the course notes, which are recommended before attempting the assignments.
  • 11 problem sets, which are essential to students for mastering the material. Some of the problem sets may also involve the use of a program such as MATLAB® to help with the calculations.
 

Semester Breakdown

WEEK M T W Th F
1 No classes throughout MIT. No classes throughout MIT. Lecture session. No session scheduled. No session scheduled.
2 Lecture session. No session scheduled. Lecture session; assignment due date. No session scheduled. No session scheduled.
3 Lecture session. No session scheduled. Lecture session. No session scheduled. No classes throughout MIT.
4 Lecture session; assignment due date. No session scheduled. Lecture session; assignment due date. No session scheduled. No session scheduled.
5 Lecture session. No session scheduled. Lecture session; assignment due date. No session scheduled. No session scheduled.
6 Lecture session. No session scheduled. Lecture session; assignment due date. No session scheduled. No session scheduled.
7 No classes throughout MIT. No classes throughout MIT. Lecture session; assignment due date. No session scheduled. No session scheduled.
8 Lecture session. No session scheduled. Lecture session; assignment due date. No session scheduled. No session scheduled.
9 Lecture session. No session scheduled. Lecture session; assignment due date. No session scheduled. No session scheduled.
10 No session scheduled. No session scheduled. Quiz held. No session scheduled. No session scheduled.
11 No classes throughout MIT. No session scheduled. Lecture session; assignment due date. No session scheduled. No session scheduled.
12 Lecture session. No session scheduled. Lecture session; assignment due date. No session scheduled. No session scheduled.
13 Lecture session. No session scheduled. Lecture session; assignment due date. No classes throughout MIT. No classes throughout MIT.
14 Lecture session. No session scheduled. Quiz held. No session scheduled. No session scheduled.
15 Lecture session. No session scheduled. No session scheduled. No classes throughout MIT. No classes throughout MIT.
16 No classes throughout MIT; exam held. No classes throughout MIT. No classes throughout MIT. No classes throughout MIT. No classes throughout MIT.
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Displays the color used on the preceding table to indicate dates when lecture sessions are held. Lecture session
Displays the symbol used on the preceding table to indicate dates when quizzes are held. Quiz
Displays the color used on the preceding table to indicate dates when no class session is scheduled. No class session scheduled
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