In addition to attending formal lectures, mechanical engineering students gain hands-on experience in the laboratory with measurement techniques, test procedures and equipment representative of the type encountered in industry. The laboratories include materials testing, measurements, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, robotics and microcomputers, manufacturing and CAD/CAM, instrumentation and a computer laboratory to which all students have access.
Courses
ME 150.
Introduction to Modern Mechanical Engineering.
(3, may be repeated twice Δ)
Hands-on activities and projects on modern applications of mechanical engineering, while describing the science and math behind them.
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.
Prerequisite: MATH 1220 or ACT Math =>25 or SAT Math Section =>590 or ACCUPLACER College-Level Math =>69.
Pre- or corequisite: ENG 120 or MATH 1230 or MATH 1240 or MATH 1250 or MATH 1430 or MATH 1440 or MATH 1512 or MATH 1522 or MATH 2531.
ME 217.
Energy, Environment and Society.
(3)
(Also offered as GEOG 2170)
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 1215 and CHEM 1215L.
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 1215 and CHEM 1215L and MATH 2531 and PHYS 1320.
Restriction: admitted to B.S.M.E. Mechanical Engineering.
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 2531.
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 2531 and MATH **316.
Pre- or corequisite: 301.
Restriction: admitted to B.S.M.E. Mechanical Engineering.
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 2531 and PHYS 1320.
Pre- or corequisite: ECE 203 and MATH **316.
Restriction: admitted to B.S.M.E. Mechanical Engineering.
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 1430 or MATH 1512.
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 2531 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 2531 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 B.S.M.E. Mechanical Engineering.
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 B.S.M.E. Mechanical Engineering 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)
(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.
Prerequisite: CE 302.
Restriction: admitted to B.S.M.E. Mechanical Engineering and senior standing.
ME 404 / 504.
Computational Mechanics.
(3)
Weak formulations of governing equations in solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, and heat conduction. Finite element equations in two and three-dimensions. Numerical algorithms for static and time-dependent cases.
Prerequisite: MATH **312 and ENG 130L.
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 capable of participation 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 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 ME 407 using state of the art data acquisition equipment. Modify and redesign as required. Continue drivers' training program. Prepare car for 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 417 / 517.
Fundamentals of Microsystems Fabrication.
(3, may be repeated once Δ)
Through hands-on labs, teamwork, and interactive lectures, the student can expect to be provided with an overview of fundamental microsystems fabrication methods, process optimization, and characterization found in micromachining technologies in a cleanroom environment.
Restriction: senior standing.
ME 418 / 518.
Foundations of Microsystems Design.
(3)
Learn about MEMS design through prior art research, specifications of MEMS design, transduction mechanisms used in MEMS, mask design, materials, project-based learning, and commercial case studies.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering and senior standing.
ME 419 / 519.
Advanced Micro- and Nanosystems Engineering.
(4)
(Also offered as 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 435 / 535.
Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics.
(4, may be repeated once Δ)
The course introduces basic steps and best practices of simulating engineering flows using methods and tools of computational fluid dynamics as well as the basics of programming in FORTRAN and data post-processing.
Prerequisite: **317L and (MATH **311 or MATH **314) and MATH **312.
ME 436 / 536.
Rotor Aerodynamics.
(3)
Rotary-wing aircraft such as, for example, helicopters, have unique abilities to take off vertically and to hover. The course will cover basic methods of rotor aerodynamic analysis and related issues associated with the helicopter performance.
Prerequisite: **317L and MATH 311.
ME 438 / 538.
Space Propulsion.
(3)
The course will introduce the students to the fundamentals of space propulsion concepts, analysis, and design, and provide the necessary background of the physical processes that form the basis of different propulsion methods.
Pre-requisites: 301 and 317L.
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 B.S.M.E. Mechanical Engineering 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.
Pre- or corequisites: **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 B.S.M.E. Mechanical Engineering 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.
Prerequisite: 370L.
Restriction: admitted to School of Engineering.
ME 472 / 572.
Aerospace Structures and Materials.
(3)
This online course is devoted to structural analysis and material behavior pertaining to modern aircraft and spacecraft.
Prerequisite: 370L.
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 B.S.M.E. Mechanical Engineering 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 heat 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 517 / 417.
Fundamentals of Microsystems Fabrication.
(3, may be repeated once Δ)
Through hands-on labs, teamwork, and interactive lectures, the student can expect to be provided with an overview of fundamental microsystems fabrication methods, process optimization, and characterization found in micromachining technologies in a cleanroom environment.
ME 518 / 418.
Foundations of Microsystems Design.
(3)
Learn about MEMS design through prior art research, specifications of MEMS design, transduction mechanisms used in MEMS, mask design, materials, project-based learning, and commercial case studies.
ME 519 / 419.
Advanced Micro- and Nanosystems Engineering.
(4)
(Also offered as 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 535 / 435.
Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics.
(4, may be repeated once Δ)
The course introduces basic steps and best practices of simulating engineering flows using methods and tools of computational fluid dynamics as well as the basics of programming in FORTRAN and data post-processing.
ME 536 / 436.
Rotor Aerodynamics.
(3)
Rotary-wing aircraft such as, for example, helicopters, have unique abilities to take off vertically and to hover. The course will cover basic methods of rotor aerodynamic analysis and related issues associated with the helicopter performance.
Prerequisite: **317L and MATH 311.
ME 538 / 438.
Space Propulsion.
(3)
The course will introduce the students to the fundamentals of space propulsion concepts, analysis, and design, and provide the necessary background of the physical processes that form the basis of different propulsion methods.
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)
Individual research into an area proposed by the student and conducted under the direction of a faculty member.
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)
Formal course work on special topics of current interest.
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.
Prerequisite: 370L.
ME 572 / 472.
Aerospace Structures and Materials.
(3)
This online course is devoted to structural analysis and material behavior pertaining to modern aircraft and spacecraft.
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.
(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)
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; 0-1, no limit Δ)
Course emphasizes investigation, evaluation, and discussion of areas of specialized knowledge or inquiry relevant to the profession or field of study.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
ME 594.
Introduction to Space Situational Awareness.
(3)
This course introduces engineering students to the space environment, the space object population, and methods used for system description and prediction.
ME 595.
Orbital Mechanics.
(3)
Fundamentals of the orbital mechanics of artificial and natural satellites, emphasizing analysis, prediction, and control of the orbital mechanics of spacecraft.
Prerequisite: 306 or MATH **316.
ME 596.
Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics and Control.
(3)
Space missions and how pointing requirements affect attitude control systems. Rotational kinematics and attitude determination algorithms. Modeling and analysis of the attitude dynamics of space vehicles.
Prerequisite: **380.
ME 597.
Small Spacecraft Design I.
(3)
The course covers the fundamentals of each of the subsystems in a spacecraft, from propulsion to the spacecraft structure and from attitude determination and control to thermal control of spacecraft.
ME 599.
Master's Thesis.
(1-6, no limit Δ)
Faculty-supervised investigative study that results in the development and writing of a master’s thesis.
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)
Faculty-supervised investigative study that results in the development and writing of a doctoral dissertation.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
