Applications from individuals with a B.S. degree in other Engineering disciplines, Math, Computer Science, and Physical Sciences (such as Physics and Chemistry) are also considered. To qualify for a graduate degree, applicants are expected to have at least an undergraduate-level exposure to most of the core ME disciplines. Those who are deemed deficient may be asked to take additional (leveling) courses.
Detailed degree requirements are explained in the ME Graduate Manual as a supplement to the UNM Graduate Catalog.
A minimum of 24 credit hours of 500-level credit is required for all students pursuing the Master of Science (M.S.) in Mechanical Engineering degree program.
The Master of Engineering in Manufacturing Engineering (M.E.M.E.) degree is offered by the Manufacturing Engineering Program (MEP). This program is (administratively) separate from the ME Department at the University of New Mexico and is housed in the Manufacturing Technology and Training Center (MTTC), located in the South Campus. Details of this degree program are found in the School of Engineering section of this Catalog.
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) degree requires 54 credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree, exclusive of the dissertation credit. Details of all special requirements are subject to departmental policy.
All graduate students in Mechanical Engineering are required to complete a set of core courses as part of the M.S. or Ph.D. programs. Ph.D. students may satisfy these requirements with equivalent courses taken as part of an M.S. program as approved by the ME Graduate Director. Courses taken at the ME 400-level are not accepted and may not be repeated at the ME 500-level to satisfy the core requirements.
The Mechanical Engineering building houses most department facilities, including the Controls, Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer, Material Science, Materials Test, Microprocessor, Robotics and Vibrations Laboratories. Other facilities supporting research are the High Performance Computing, Educational and Research Center (HPCERC) and the Manufacturing Technology and Training Center (MTTC).
The Department of Mechanical Engineering has close collaboration with the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, nearby Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories, plus the Air Force Research Laboratory. Research facilities at these laboratories are often used by graduate students.
Additional information on the programs and facilities of the Mechanical Engineering Department may be obtained by contacting either the graduate director or the chairperson.
Courses
ME 160L. Mechanical Engineering Design I. (3)
Introduction to engineering graphics, the design process, computer aided design, engineering ethics, design economics and project management. Two hours lecture, 3 hours lab.
Pre- or corequisite: ENG 120 or MATH 162.
ME 217. Energy, Environment and Society. (3)
(Also offered as GEOG 217)
A look at the social, ethical, and environmental impacts of energy use both now and through history. A survey of renewable energy and conservation and their impact on environmental and social systems.
ME 260L. Mechanical Engineering Design II. (3)
The design process, project management, shop practice CNC and rapid prototyping, design economics and engineering ethics. Two hours lecture, 3 hours lab.
Prerequisite: 160L.
Pre- or corequisite: CHEM 121 and CHEM 123L.
Restriction: B.S.M.E. majors only.
ME 301. Thermodynamics. (3)
Thermodynamic equilibrium, thermodynamic properties and equations of state. First and second laws of thermodynamics and their applications to engineering systems. Availability and irreversibility and their application to second law analysis.
Prerequisite: CHEM 121 and CHEM 123L and MATH 163 and MATH 264 and PHYC 161.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering and ME major.
ME **302. Applied Thermodynamics. (3)
Thermodynamic relations, thermodynamic properties of mixtures, psychrometrics, thermodynamics of chemical reactions, phase and chemical equilibrium, thermodynamics cycles and design of energy systems.
Prerequisite: 301.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering.
ME 306. Dynamics. (3)
Principles of dynamics. Kinematics and kinetics of particles, systems of particles and rigid bodies.
Prerequisite: CE 202 and MATH 264.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering.
ME **317L. Fluid Mechanics. (4)
Fluid statics. Control volume forms of continuity, momentum and energy. Pipe flow and turbomachinery. Introduction to boundary layers and turbulent flow. Laboratory experiments and demonstrations of basic concepts.
Prerequisite: 306 and 318L and MATH 264 and MATH **316.
Pre- or corequisite: 301.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering and ME major.
ME 318L. Mechanical Engineering Laboratory. (4)
Measurement techniques and instrumentation for experiments in mechanical engineering, report writing, basic concepts of probability and statistics, discrete and continuous probability distributions, test statistics, classical and robust test of significance, measurement and uncertainty, design of experiments, regression analysis, applications in analysis of engineering experiments.
Prerequisite: MATH 264 and PHYC 161.
Pre- or corequisite: ECE 203 and MATH **316.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering and ME major.
ME **320L. Heat Transfer. (4)
Principles and engineering applications of heat transfer by conduction, convection and radiation. Laboratory experiments and demonstrations of fundamental heat transfer concepts.
Prerequisite: 301 and **317L and MATH **316.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering.
ME 350. Engineering Economy. (3)
(Also offered as CE 350)
A study of methods and techniques used in determining comparative financial desirability of engineering alternatives. Includes time value of money (interest), depreciation methods and modern techniques for analysis of management decisions.
Prerequisite: MATH 162 or MATH 180.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering and junior or senior standing.
ME 352L. Materials Laboratory. (1)
The effects of microstructure, processing, composition and thermal treatment on physical and mechanical properties of engineering materials will be investigated. A variety of materials will be processed, tested and microscopically studied in the laboratory.
Pre- or corequisite: 260L and CE 302.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering.
ME 353L. Fluid Mechanics Lab. (1)
Laboratory experiments and demonstrations of basic concepts of fluid mechanics.
Prerequisite: 306 and 318L and MATH 264 and MATH **316.
Corequisite: 301.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering.
ME 354L. Heat Transfer Laboratory. (1)
Laboratory experiments and demonstrations of fundamental heat transfer concepts.
Prerequisite: 301 and **317L and MATH **316.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering.
ME 357. Introduction to Mechanical Vibrations. (3)
Free and forced vibrations of one and two degrees of freedom systems for both steady state and transient forcing. Also vibrations of selected continuous systems and balancing.
Prerequisite: 306 and MATH **316.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering.
ME 360L. Mechanical Engineering Design III. (3)
Finite element analysis and its use in the design process, validation of FEA results, CAD, engineering ethics, design economics and project management. Two hours of lecture, 3 hours of lab.
Prerequisite: 260L and CE 302 and MATH 264 and MATH **316.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering.
ME **365. Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning Systems. (3)
Methods of analysis and design of systems for conditioning of spaces for people and equipment.
Prerequisite: **320L.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering.
ME 370L. Engineering Materials Science. (4)
The structure of matter and its relation to mechanical properties. Mechanical behavior of structural materials: metals, ceramics and polymers.
Prerequisite: 260L and CE 302.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering and ME major.
ME **380. Analysis and Design of Mechanical Control Systems. (3)
System dynamics and modeling; transfer functions; concept of feedback and system stability; transient and steady-state response; control system analysis and design using root locus and frequency response methods.
Prerequisite: 357 and MATH **316.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering and ME major and senior standing.
ME 400 / 500. Numerical Methods in Mechanical Engineering. (3)
Computer algebra, nonlinear equations, systems of linear equations, the eigen value problem, numerical integration and differentiation, initial value problems, boundary value problems; applications to model problems in solid mechanics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer.
Prerequisite: **317L and **320L and CE 302 and MATH **316.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering.
ME 401 / 501. Advanced Mechanics of Materials. (3)
State of stress and strain at a point, stress-strain relationships; topics in beam theory such as unsymmetrical bending, curved beams and elastic foundations; torsion of noncircular cross-sections; energy principles.
Prerequisite: CE 302.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering and ME major and senior standing.
ME 404 / 504. Computational Mechanics. (3)
Weak formulations of governing equations in solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, and head conduction. Finite element equations in two and three-dimensions. Numerical algorithms for static and time-dependent cases.
Prerequisite: MATH **312 and CS 151L.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering.
ME 405 / 505. High Performance Engines. (3)
Students will capitalize on 1) applications of engineering fundamentals to engine operation and design; 2) implementation of computing and information technology for modeling, simulation, visualization, and design; and 3) case studies of “famous” racing engines.
Prerequisite: 301 or CBE 302.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering.
ME 406L. Formula SAE Racecar Design. (4)
Design a racecar that will participate in Formula SAE international competition including acceleration, autocross and endurance events. Vehicles are judged on performance, cost and design. Project management, vehicle dynamics, tires, brakes, suspension and steering are covered.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering and ME major and junior or senior standing.
ME 407. Formula SAE Racecar Fabrication Lab. (3)
Manufacture vehicle designed in 406. Make project management decisions on build or buy balancing cost, performance and schedule. Use CAD/CAM extensively to design, machine and fabricate complex parts. Plan integrated drivers’ training and test programs.
Prerequisite: 357 and (406L with grade of "B" or better).
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering.
ME 408. Formula SAE Racecar Test Lab. (3)
Implement testing program to validate vehicle design fabricated in 407 using state of the art data acquisition equipment. Modify and redesign as required. Continue drivers’ training program. Participate in Formula SAE international competition.
Prerequisite: 407 with a grade of "B" or better.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering.
ME 416 / 516. Applied Dynamics. (3)
Kinematics and kinetics of a particle and systems of particles; Lagrange’s equations; three-dimensional dynamics of rigid bodies.
Prerequisite: 306 and 357 and MATH **316.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering.
ME 419 / 519. Theory, Fabrication, and Characterization of Nano and Microelectromechanical Systems (NEMS/MEMS). (4)
(Also offered as ECE, NSMS 519)
Lectures and laboratory projects on physical theory, design, analysis, fabrication, and characterization of micro and nanosystems. Special attention given to scaling effects involved with operation of devices at nano and microscale.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering and senior standing.
ME 429 / 529. Gas Dynamics. (3)
One and two-dimensional compressible flow of ideal gases including shock compressible flow along with applications, including numerical and experimental methods.
Prerequisite: 301 and **317L.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering.
ME 451 - 452. Undergraduate Problems. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ, 1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
A project of an original nature carried out under faculty supervision. A student may earn 451 or 452 credit for an industrial project by prearranging approval of the project by a faculty advisor and the department chairperson.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering and ME major and senior standing.
ME 455. Engineering Project Management. (3)
(Also offered as CE *455)
Estimating, proposing, planning, scheduling, quality and cost control and reporting of an engineering project. Case studies of typical engineering projects. Small projects carried out by student teams.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering and ME major and senior standing.
ME 459. Mechanical Engineering Design IV. (3)
Review of stresses. Statistical considerations. Methods of design for static and fatigue strength. Design of machine elements such as bolts, welded joints, springs, bearings, belts, chains, clutches, brakes and shafts.
Prerequisite: CE 302.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering.
ME 460. Mechanical Engineering Design V. (4)
Capstone design course for Mechanical Engineering students. Students work in teams to design complete engineering systems. Considerations include technical solution, function, manufacturability, cost, safety and standards, and materials. Written and oral presentation skills are emphasized.
Prerequisite: **320L and **380 and 459.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering.
ME 461 - 462 / 561 - 562. Special Topics. (1-4, no limit Δ / 1-4, no limit Δ)
Formal course work on special topics of current interest.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering and ME major and senior standing.
ME 463. Undergraduate Honors Thesis. (3)
Independent project of an original nature carried out under faculty supervision, in partial fulfillment of Departmental Honors designation.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering and permission of instructor.
ME 471 / 571. Advanced Materials Science. (3)
This course covers advanced treatments of the science of engineering materials and mechanical behavior of materials. Examples are crystal structures, defects, micro mechanisms of deformation, thermodynamic and kinetic processes, and structure-processing-property relations of engineering materials.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering.
ME 480 / 580. Dynamic System Analysis. (3)
Mathematical modeling of continuous and discrete systems (mechanical, hydraulic, electric, electro-mechanical, thermal, etc.). Analysis of state equations. Controllability, observability and stability.
Prerequisite: **380 and (MATH **314 or MATH **321).
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering.
ME 481 / 581. Digital Control of Mechanical Systems. (3)
Analysis and design of feedback systems in which a digital computer is used as the real-time controller. Design methods will include transform-based techniques using the Z-transform and time-domain techniques using the state-space approach.
Prerequisite: **380.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering.
ME 482 / 582. Robot Engineering. (3)
Robot geometry, resolution, accuracy and repeatability, kinematic design of robots, Denavit-Hartenberg homogeneous transformations, direct and inverse kinematics and solutions, motion trajectories, differential tracking, force and compliant analysis, robotic control and programming.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering and senior standing.
ME 486 / 586. Design for Manufacturability. (3)
Introduction to methods of design for manufacturability. Emphasis is on teamwork and designing your customer’s needs. This is achieved through statistical methods and computer based systems.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering and ME major and senior standing.
ME 500 / 400. Numerical Methods in Mechanical Engineering. (3)
Computer algebra, nonlinear equations, systems of linear equations, the eigen value problem, numerical integration and differentiation, initial value problems, boundary value problems; applications to model problems in solid mechanics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer.
ME 501 / 401. Advanced Mechanics of Materials. (3)
(Also offered as CE 501)
State of stress and strain at a point, stress-strain relationships; topics in beam theory such as unsymmetrical bending, curved beams and elastic foundations; torsion of noncircular cross-sections, energy principles.
ME 504 / 404. Computational Mechanics. (3)
Weak formulations of governing equations in solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, and head conduction, Finite element equations in two and three-dimensions. Numerical algorithms for static and time-dependent cases.
ME 505 / 405. High Performance Engines. (3)
Students will capitalize on 1) applications of engineering fundamentals to engine operation and design; 2) implementation of computing and information technology for modeling, simulation, visualization, and design; and 3) cases studies of “famous” racing engines.
Prerequisite: Engineering Thermodynamics equivalent to ME 301.
ME 512. Introduction to Continuum Mechanics. (3)
Vector and tensor analysis, kinematics of continua, equations of motion, first and second laws of thermodynamics, constitutive equations for elastic solids and compressible viscous fluids.
ME 516 / 416. Applied Dynamics. (3)
Kinematics and kinetics of a particle and systems of particles; Lagrange’s equations; three-dimensional dynamics of rigid bodies.
ME 519 / 419. Theory, Fabrication, and Characterization of Nano and Microelectromechanical Systems (NEMS/MEMS). (4)
(Also offered as ECE, NSMS 519)
Lectures and laboratory projects on physical theory, design, analysis, fabrication, and characterization of micro and nanosystems. Special attention given to scaling effects involved with operation of devices at nano and microscale.
ME 520. Advanced Thermodynamics I. (3)
Precise development of thermodynamic definitions, fundamental relations, equilibrium conditions, Legendre transformation and thermodynamic potentials. Maxwell relations, stability of thermodynamic systems, properties of materials, introduction to irreversible thermodynamics.
ME 521. Thermal System Design and Optimization . (3)
Review of thermal sciences, optimization methods, introduction to thermal design and optimization, design of different thermal systems such as heat exchanger, energy conversion, heat transfer enhancement, Cryogenics, micro-electronic cooling. Environmental issues and thermoeconomics.
Prerequisite: 301 and **317L and **320L.
ME 529 / 429. Gas Dynamics. (3)
One and two-dimensional compressible flow of ideal gases including shock compressible flow along with applications, including numerical and experimental methods.
Prerequisite: 301 and **317L.
ME 530. Theoretical Fluid Mechanics I. (3)
Derivation of the Navier-Stokes equations. Introduction to two- and three-dimensional potential flow theory; viscous flow theory, including the development of Prandtl boundary-layer equations and the momentum integral approach, and compressible flow theory, including thermodynamics of shock waves, friction and heat addition.
ME 534. Boundary Layers. (3)
Derivation of boundary layer equations, similarity solutions, integral methods and experimental results for laminar boundary layers. Stability of laminar boundary layers. Boundary layer transition. Turbulent fluctuations and transport.
Prerequisite: 530.
ME 540. Elasticity. (3)
Field theory of elasticity; Saint Venants problems; introduction to plane theory of elasticity.
Prerequisite: 512.
ME 542. Deformation Analysis and Modeling. (3)
Fundamental skills for applying finite element modeling to analyze deformation of materials, with emphasis on thin film systems, device components, and composite materials under mechanical and thermal loading.
ME 551 - 552. Problems. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ, 1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
ME 556. Entrepreneurial Engineering. (3)
(Also offered as ECE 556 / 456)
Review and application of necessary elements for successfully launching technical businesses; focuses upon technology, manufacturing, management, marketing, legal and financial aspects. Students work in groups developing elements of new businesses and producing business plans.
ME 559. Design Project. (3)
Independent work under the guidance of the student’s Committee-on-Studies in support of the Project course requirement of the Plan II (non-Thesis) M.S. degree.
ME 561 - 562 / 461 - 462. Special Topics. (1-4, no limit Δ / 1-4, no limit Δ)
ME 571 / 471. Advanced Materials Science. (3)
This course covers advanced treatments of the science of engineering materials and mechanical behavior of materials. Examples are crystal structures, defects, micro mechanisms of deformation, thermodynamic and kinetic processes, and structure-processing-property relations of engineering materials.
ME 580 / 480. Dynamic System Analysis. (3)
Mathematical modeling of continuous and discrete systems (mechanical, hydraulic, electric, electro-mechanical, thermal, etc.). Analysis of state equations. Controllability, observability and stability.
ME 581 / 481. Digital Control of Mechanical Systems. (3)
Analysis and design of feedback systems in which a digital computer is used as the real-time controller. Design methods will include transform-based techniques using the Z-transform and time-domain techniques using the state-space approach.
ME 582 / 482. Robot Engineering II. (3)
Robot geometry, resolution and repeatability, kinematic design of robots, Denavit-Hartenberg homogeneous transformations, direct and inverse; kinematics and solutions, motion trajectories, differential tracking, force and compliant analyses, dynamics, control and programming.
ME 586 / 486. Design for Manufacturability. (3)
(Also offered as ECE 586)
Introduction to methods of design for manufacturability (DEM). Emphasis is on team work and designing to your customers needs. This is achieved through statistical methods and computer based systems.
ME 591-592. Seminar. (0-1, no limit Δ)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
ME 599. Master's Thesis. (1-6, no limit Δ)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
ME 634. Turbulent Flows. (3)
Turbulent flow with emphasis on thin-shear layer flow and mixing processes. Phenomenological descriptions of turbulent closure schemes and modeling techniques. Instability and transition. Numerical schemes for solving incompressible and compressible turbulent boundary layer and free turbulence equations.
Prerequisite: 534.
ME 699. Dissertation. (3-12, no limit Δ)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
