Designing and Simulating Physical Models from Coursera

As systems become more complex, engineers need to keep pace with the techniques for designing and testing the digital representations of their creations. This course equips you with the latest skills in modeling and simulation using Simscape™, an industry-standard tool integrated with Simulink® and prepares you to meet the changing needs of engineering roles in automotive, aerospace, and robotics sectors, ensuring you remain competitive and relevant in a rapidly advancing job market.

You will have the opportunity to engage in practical, project-based learning that mirrors the challenges faced by top engineering firms. Through hands-on experience creating dynamic models and simulating real-world systems, you’ll develop skills in multi-domain physical modeling and component integration.

You will use Simulink and Simscape throughout the course. Simulink is a multi-domain modeling and simulation environment for engineers and scientists who design controls, wireless, and other dynamic systems. Within the Simulink environment, Simscape is used to rapidly create models of real-world components like electric motors, batteries, quadcopters, and robot arms. You will receive free access to Simulink and Simscape for the duration of the course to complete your work.

Whether you're an aspiring engineer or a seasoned professional, this course will enhance your skill set. Enroll now to gain skills that are in high demand across various engineering fields.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Simscape

Modeling Physical Systems

Creating Higher Fidelity Models

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Uses Simscape, an industry-standard tool integrated with Simulink, which prepares learners to meet the changing needs of engineering roles in automotive, aerospace, and robotics sectors

Offers hands-on experience creating dynamic models and simulating real-world systems, which develops skills in multi-domain physical modeling and component integration

Provides free access to Simulink and Simscape for the duration of the course, which removes barriers to entry for learners who may not have access to these tools

Taught by MathWorks, which develops and supplies mathematical computing software; MATLAB and Simulink are their flagship products

Reviews summary

Physical modeling with simscape/simulink

According to learners inferred from the course description, this course offers a positive opportunity to learn Designing and Simulating Physical Models using industry-standard tools like Simulink and Simscape. Students can expect a practical, project-based approach relevant to in-demand engineering fields such as automotive and robotics. A key benefit highlighted is the free access to software provided for the course duration. However, potential participants should note the focus is specifically on the MathWorks toolchain and may want to consider their plan for software access post-course. The course material is developed directly by MathWorks, the creators of the tools.

May suit varied experience levels differently.

"As a seasoned engineer, some parts felt a bit introductory, but the later modules were useful."

"Found the material challenging as an aspiring engineer, definitely requires focus."

"The course covers a good range, but might require prior simulation familiarity."

Developed by MathWorks, the tool creators.

"Knowing it's from MathWorks gave me confidence in the quality of the material."

"Taught by the creators of the software, the explanations were clear and accurate."

"Reliable source for learning these specific tools directly from the experts."

Focuses on real-world software application.

"Learning Simscape and Simulink was really valuable for applying modeling in my work."

"The project-based approach helped me see how physical modeling works in real systems."

"Using industry tools provided free was a major plus and very practical."

Free software access is time-limited.

"The free software access was great for the course, but getting it afterwards might be a hurdle."

"Wish there was more guidance on long-term Simscape/Simulink access post-course."

"Be aware the free software is only for the duration of the course."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Designing and Simulating Physical Models with these activities:

Review Simulink Fundamentals

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Reinforce your understanding of Simulink basics to ensure a smooth transition into Simscape modeling.

Browse courses on Simulink

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Review Simulink tutorials and documentation.
Practice building simple Simulink models.
Familiarize yourself with Simulink blocks and libraries.

Explore MathWorks Simscape Examples

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Learn from expert-created Simscape models and simulations provided by MathWorks.

Browse courses on Simscape

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Visit the MathWorks website and navigate to the Simscape examples section.
Select a few examples that are relevant to your interests.
Run the simulations and analyze the results.
Modify the models and observe the changes in behavior.

Read 'Physical Modeling in MATLAB'

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Deepen your understanding of physical modeling concepts and their implementation in MATLAB.

View Physical Modeling with MATLAB on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Physical Modeling in MATLAB'.
Read the chapters relevant to the course topics.
Work through the examples provided in the book.

Four other activities

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Model a Simple DC Motor

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Apply your Simscape knowledge by building a model of a common electromechanical system.

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Research the parameters of a DC motor.
Create a Simscape model of the DC motor.
Simulate the motor's behavior under different loads.
Validate the model against experimental data.

Document Your Simscape Models

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Improve your understanding and communication skills by documenting your Simscape models.

Browse courses on Simscape

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Choose a Simscape model you have created.
Write a detailed description of the model's components and behavior.
Create diagrams and illustrations to support your documentation.
Share your documentation with other students for feedback.

Study 'Mastering Simulink'

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Enhance your Simulink skills to better leverage Simscape's capabilities.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Acquire a copy of 'Mastering Simulink'.
Focus on chapters related to model organization, debugging, and advanced simulation techniques.
Apply the concepts learned to your Simscape models.

Simulate a Robotic Arm

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Challenge yourself by modeling a complex multi-body system using Simscape Multibody.

Browse courses on Robotics

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Research the kinematics and dynamics of a robotic arm.
Create a Simscape Multibody model of the robotic arm.
Implement a control system for the robotic arm.
Simulate the robotic arm's movements and evaluate its performance.

Career center

Learners who complete Designing and Simulating Physical Models will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Simulation Engineer

A Simulation Engineer develops and implements simulations to test and validate designs, similar to the work you'll do in this course with Simscape and Simulink. This course provides a hands-on environment to learn how to build dynamic models and simulate systems, which directly translates to skills needed for this role. This role often requires experience creating multi-domain models of physical systems, which you will gain through this course's practical exercises. The course's projects that mirror top engineering firms' needs also provide a preview of the real-world challenges you would face as a Simulation Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Simulation Engineer

Systems Engineer

Systems Engineers often use modeling and simulation tools to design, integrate, and test complex systems. This course, with its focus on using Simscape integrated with Simulink, helps build a foundation in creating physical models for various domains. The ability to perform multi-domain physical modeling and component integration, as learned in this course, is crucial to the work of a Systems Engineer. This course equips you with practical, project-based learning that mirrors the challenges faced in this field, including the integration of physical models into larger systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Engineer

Robotics Engineer

Robotics Engineers design, build, and test robots and robotic systems. This course is particularly relevant because it teaches you how to model real-world components such as robot arms using Simscape. This allows a Robotics Engineer to simulate the behavior of their models before building physical prototypes. The course emphasizes practical, hands-on projects, providing critical experience in dynamic modeling, system simulation, and component integration that are essential for robotics applications. The practical aspects make this course particularly valuable to a Robotics Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Robotics Engineer

Aerospace Engineer

Aerospace Engineers need skills in modeling and simulating complex systems found in aircraft and spacecraft. This course's hands-on experience in creating dynamic models and simulating real-world systems using Simscape, particularly in multi-domain physical modeling and component integration, is directly applicable to the work of an Aerospace Engineer. The practical, project-based learning in this course provides a foundation in techniques used by top aerospace companies. Specifically, this course’s use of Simulink within the Simscape environment is very useful for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Aerospace Engineer

Automotive Engineer

Automotive Engineers design and develop vehicles and their components, and often use modeling and simulation tools. This course provides opportunities to create models of real-world components, including electric motors, which are essential to vehicle design. The course's focus on multi-domain physical modeling and component integration is directly applicable to the simulation and testing of automotive systems. Hands-on experience and learning in dynamic modeling specifically help Automotive Engineers design and test vehicle systems. Furthermore, skills in simulating real-world systems, learned in the course, are essential.

See salaries and explore the career path for Automotive Engineer

Control Systems Engineer

Control Systems Engineers design and implement control systems for various applications. This course provides you with the opportunity to use Simulink, a system commonly used to design controls, and Simscape, a physical modeling tool to simulate components, creating a complete control system design and simulation workflow. The skills you develop in creating dynamic models and simulating real-world systems directly apply to the work of a Control Systems Engineer. This course may be particularly helpful to someone in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Control Systems Engineer

Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineers design and analyze mechanical systems, and often rely on simulation software. This course allows you to model real-world components, such as electric motors, within Simscape, and simulate them within Simulink. This builds a foundation for understanding how mechanical systems behave under different conditions. This course's project-based approach provides a framework for multi-domain physical modeling and component integration, which is essential for this role. This course may be useful to those in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mechanical Engineer

Mechatronics Engineer

Mechatronics Engineers integrate mechanical, electrical, and control systems, so skills in multi-domain modeling are essential. This course provides you with the ability to create models of real-world components using Simscape and to simulate them within Simulink. This experience directly relates to the types of problems that Mechatronics Engineers face. The course’s focus on practical, project-based learning mirrors the challenges faced by top engineering firms. A Mechatronics Engineer may find this course helpful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mechatronics Engineer

Test Engineer

Test Engineers are responsible for designing and conducting tests to validate the performance and reliability of systems. This course's hands-on approach to creating dynamic models and simulating systems, using Simscape and Simulink, supports the testing and validation process. The ability to create physical models helps Test Engineers develop a strong understanding of how real-world systems will behave. This course may be useful to a test engineer.

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Research Scientist

Research Scientists often engage in modeling and simulation to understand complex phenomena across various scientific fields. This course's focus on physical modeling using Simscape and simulation using Simulink may provide skills that they can use in their work. The course's focus on creating dynamic models of real-world systems also has applications in scientific research. If a Research Scientist works with physical systems, this course may be useful.

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Product Development Engineer

Product Development Engineers are often involved with product design, prototyping, and testing. This course's learning in creating dynamic models and simulating real world systems can be used to develop and test new product designs. The focus of this course is on project-based learning, so this provides real-world relevant experience. A Product Development Engineer may find aspects of this course helpful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Development Engineer

Data Scientist

While Data Scientists primarily work with data analysis and machine learning, this course's focus on modeling and simulation of physical systems may offer a unique perspective. For those engaged in creating simulations or dealing with datasets related to physical phenomena, this course may be helpful. The use of Simulink and Simscape in this course may be applicable to this field, especially when dealing with dynamic systems. A Data Scientist may find aspects of this course useful.

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Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing Engineers improve the processes involved in creating products, and sometimes use simulation tools to optimize manufacturing processes and design facilities. This course may be useful for those Manufacturing Engineers who use models of physical components and systems when performing their work. This course may be helpful to a Manufacturing Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Manufacturing Engineer

Industrial Engineer

Industrial Engineers optimize production processes and systems and sometimes use simulation tools to make improvements. This course may be helpful for an Industrial Engineer, particularly one who is engaged in simulating physical models. The hands-on experience in creating dynamic models and simulating real-world systems given by this course may be useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Industrial Engineer

Project Manager

Project Managers oversee the planning, execution, and completion of projects and while this course does not teach project management, it may be useful to a Project Manager. The skills developed in designing, integrating, and simulating complex systems could be helpful in managing complex engineering projects. A Project Manager may find aspects of this course useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Designing and Simulating Physical Models

What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Physical modeling with simscape/simulink

Activities

Career center

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