Honors Principles of Engineering
Point Loma High 2025-26
Syllabus
Teacher: J. Michael Tritchler Email: jtritchler@sandi.net
Phone: 619-860-5000 ex 2200
Textbook: Online: Project Lead the Way - Principles of Engineering
Principles of Engineering (POE) is a foundational course of the high school engineering pathway. This survey course exposes students to some of the major concepts that they will encounter in a postsecondary engineering course of study. Through problems that engage and challenge, students explore a broad range of engineering topics, including mechanisms, the strength of materials and structures, automation, and kinematics. The course applies and concurrently develops secondary level knowledge and skills in mathematics, science, and technology.
Students have the opportunity to develop skills and understanding of course concepts through activity-, project-, and problem-based (APB) learning. By solving rigorous and relevant design problems using engineering and science concepts within a collaborative learning environment, APB learning challenges students to continually hone their interpersonal skills, creative abilities, and problem solving skills. Students will also learn how to document their work and communicate their solutions to their peers and members of the professional community. It also allows students to develop strategies to enable and direct their own learning, which is the ultimate goal of education.
Grades are based on mastery of the state standards. Mastery of the standards follows a 4 point proficiency scale.
Your final letter grade will be calculated as the average score of your mastery of the standards.
Standards are assigned to all projects, tests, assignments, activities, etc. The student is responsible for missed work which must be made up. The work in this class should be completed during the class period. There will be some homework assigned throughout the year, but students should have sufficient time in class to complete assignments, otherwise they should be completed at home. Students are expected to submit all assignments through the Canvas website. As students have regular opportunities for revision, grades will not round up to the next letter grade (e.g. average mastery grade of 89.94% is a B and 89.95% is an A).
The student is responsible for missed work, which must be made up. There are no penalties for late work, but students are expected to complete assignments according to the pace of the class. Students may retake an exam, revise an assignment, or revise a project to improve their score and demonstrate mastery of the material within 14 days past the due date or the end of the semester - whichever comes first. All late work must be submitted within 14 days past the due date or the end of the semester - whichever comes first.
Extra credit opportunities will not be offered. However, students have the opportunity to raise their grades by revising their work and retaking tests.
Students or parents can request an in-person or virtual meeting with me through email, jtritchler@sandi.net, or phone, 619-860-5000 ex 2200.
Students with a C or better in both semesters will have the opportunity to receive additional college credit in MFET 101 Introduction to Manufacturing Engineering Technology from San Diego City Colleges by passing a final exam with an 80% or better. Students who have not already registered as a student with San Diego Colleges will receive assistance to register. The exam and college credit are provided at no cost to the student.
This course will show up as an additional weighted course on your high school transcript in addition to a college transcript from San Diego Community College.
Students will be evaluated using the Point Loma High Citizenship Rubric. The objective is to help streamline consistent citizenship grades by all teachers. The intention is that students will be given their citizenship grades by averaging the following five categories.
For each category, there are four ranked citizenship grades.
Note: Violating the Academic Honesty Policy will result in an automatic U citizenship grade.
The school’s academic honesty policy will be strictly enforced. Any intentional giving or using of outside assistance on independent assignments, tests, or projects without the permission of the teacher will not be tolerated. This includes copying assignments, misuse of technology, plagiarism, or theft of materials related to assessment or record keeping.
Each time the expectations of the class are violated, you will be given a verbal warning. If you still do not obey classroom rules, it may result in school detention and/or a phone call home and will lower your citizenship grade. Excessive cases will be given a referral and sent to the school disciplinarian, which may result in other consequences.
This course is part of the College, Career and Technical education (CCTE) program. CCTE courses are primarily project-based and integrate core academic subjects with relevant and challenging occupational knowledge. All students enrolled in CCTE courses will have basic safety instruction as well as industry specific safety training. Students must only use tools that they are trained to use.
PLHS provides a safe, supportive learning environment that cultivates knowledge, skills, and character to prepare all students for college and/or career readiness and success in a global society.
Point Loma High School will empower students to become responsible, empathetic, and engaged members of the global community, equipped with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in a dynamic world.