Advanced Engineering Systems in Motion: Dynamics of Three Dimensional (3D) Motion (Coursera)

Advanced Engineering Systems in Motion: Dynamics of Three Dimensional (3D) Motion (Coursera)

This course is an advanced study of bodies in motion as applied to engineering systems and structures. We will study the dynamics of rigid bodies in 3D motion. This will consist of both the kinematics and kinetics of motion. Kinematics deals with the geometrical aspects of motion describing position, velocity, and acceleration, all as a function of time. Kinetics is the study of forces acting on these bodies and how it affects their motion.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Recommended Background:
To be successful in the course you will need to have mastered basic engineering mechanics concepts and to have successfully completed my course entitled "Engineering Systems in Motion: Dynamics of Particles and Bodies in 2D Motion.” We will apply many of the engineering fundamentals learned in those classes and you will need those skills before attempting this course.
Suggested Readings:
While no specific textbook is required, this course is designed to be compatible with any standard engineering dynamics textbook. You will find a book like this useful as a reference and for completing additional practice problems to enhance your learning of the material.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Course Introduction; Angular Velocity; Angular Acceleration
In this section students will learn to derive the "derivative formula." We will define angular velocity for 3D motion and learn to determine and solve for the Angular Acceleration for a body.

WEEK 2
Velocities in Moving Reference Frames; Accelerations in Moving Reference Frames; The Earth as a Moving Frame
In this section students will learn about velocities in moving reference frames, accelerations in moving reference frames, and the Earth as a moving frame.

WEEK 3
Eulerian Angles; Eulerian Angles Rotation Matrices; Angular Momentum in 3D; Inertial Properties of 3D Bodies
In this section students will learn about Eulerian Angles rotation matrices, angular momentum in 3D, and intertial properties of 3D bodies.

WEEK 4
Translational and Rotational Transformations of Inertial Properties; Principal Axes and Principal Moments of Inertia
In this section students will learn about translational and rotational transformations of inertial properties, and principal axes and principal moments of inertia.

WEEK 5
Motion Equations Governing 3D Rotational Motion of a Rigid Body (Euler Equations)
In this section students will learn to develop Euler Equations for 3d motion and solve for the motion of a rigid body undergoing 3D rotational motion.

WEEK 6
3D Impulse-Momentum Principles; 3D Work-Energy Principles
In this section students will learn to develop and apply the principle of impulse-momentum and about 3D work-energy principles.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Ferrous Technology I (Coursera) Coursera
Pohang University of Science and Technology - POSTECH

Ferrous Technology I (Coursera)

Steel, ever-evolving material, has been the most preeminent of all materials since it can provide wide range of properties that can meet ever-changing requirements. In this course, we explore both fundamental and technical issues related to steels, including iron and steelmaking, microstructure and phase transformation, and their properties and applications.

Oct 26th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Nanotechnology: A Maker’s Course (Coursera) Coursera
Duke University,University of North Carolina,North Carolina State University

Nanotechnology: A Maker’s Course (Coursera)

How can we create nano-structures that are 10,000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair? How can we “see” at the nano-scale? Through instruction and lab demonstrations, in this course you will obtain a rich understanding of the capabilities of nanotechnology tools, and how to use this equipment for nano-scale fabrication and characterization.

Nov 2nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Applications in Engineering Mechanics (Coursera) Coursera
Georgia Institute of Technology

Applications in Engineering Mechanics (Coursera)

This course applies principles learned in my course “Introduction to Engineering Mechanics” to analyze real world engineering structures. You will need to have mastered the engineering fundamentals from that class in order to be successful in this course offering. This course addresses the modeling and analysis of static equilibrium problems with an emphasis on real world engineering systems and problem solving.

Nov 2nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Materials Science: 10 Things Every Engineer Should Know (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Davis

Materials Science: 10 Things Every Engineer Should Know (Coursera)

We explore “10 things” that range from the menu of materials available to engineers in their profession to the many mechanical and electrical properties of materials important to their use in various engineering fields. We also discuss the principles behind the manufacturing of those materials. By the end of the course, you will be able to: recognize the important aspects of the materials used in modern engineering applications; explain the underlying principle of materials science: “structure leads to properties,”; identify the role of thermally activated processes in many of these important “things” – as illustrated by the Arrhenius relationship; relate each of these topics to issues that have arisen (or potentially could arise) in your life and work.

Oct 26th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Nanotechnology and Nanosensors, Part 2 (Coursera) Coursera
Technion - Israel Institute of Technology

Nanotechnology and Nanosensors, Part 2 (Coursera)

Learn about novel sensing tools that make use of nanotechnology to screen, detect and monitor various events in personal or professional life. Together, we will lay the groundwork for infinite innovative applications, starting from diagnosis and treatments of diseases, continuing with quality control of goods and environmental aspects, and ending with monitoring security issues.

Nov 2nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Roadmap to Success in Digital Manufacturing & Design (Coursera) Coursera
University at Buffalo,The State University of New York

Roadmap to Success in Digital Manufacturing & Design (Coursera)

Learners will create a roadmap to achieve their own personal goals related to the digital manufacturing and design (DM&D) profession, which will help them leverage relevant opportunities. The culminating project provides a tangible element to include in their professional portfolios that showcases their knowledge of Industry 4.0.

Nov 2nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Image and video processing: From Mars to Hollywood with a stop at the hospital (Coursera) Coursera
Duke University

Image and video processing: From Mars to Hollywood with a stop at the hospital (Coursera)

In this course, you will learn the science behind how digital images and video are made, altered, stored, and used. We will look at the vast world of digital imaging, from how computers and digital cameras form images to how digital special effects are used in Hollywood movies to how the Mars Rover was able to send photographs across millions of miles of space.

Nov 2nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Microwave engineering and antennas (Coursera) Coursera
Eindhoven University of Technology

Microwave engineering and antennas (Coursera)

This unique Master-level course provides you with in-depth know-how of microwave engineering and antennas. The course combines both passive and active microwave circuits as well as antenna systems. Future applications, like millimeter-wave 5G/beyond-5G wireless communications or automotive radar, require experts that can co-design highly integrated antenna systems that include both antennas and microwave electronics. We will provide you with the required theoretical foundation as well as hands-on experience using state-of-the-art design tools. The web lectures are supported by many on-line quizzes in which you can practice the background theory.

Oct 26th 2026
5-12 Weeks
The Finite Element Method for Problems in Physics (Coursera) Coursera
University of Michigan

The Finite Element Method for Problems in Physics (Coursera)

This course is an introduction to the finite element method as applicable to a range of problems in physics and engineering sciences. The treatment is mathematical, but only for the purpose of clarifying the formulation. The emphasis is on coding up the formulations in a modern, open-source environment that can be expanded to other applications, subsequently.

Nov 2nd 2026
13-24 Weeks