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COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

SAMPLE COURSE DESCRIPTION

COURSE NUMBERING SYSTEM

GENERAL EDUCATION DESIGNATION

DEPARTMENTS OFFERING DIVERSIFICATION COURSES

Mechanical Engineering (ME)

College of Engineering

Preference in registration is given to declared engineering majors. Please consult the current Schedule of Courses for confirmed offerings each semester.
ME 113 Introduction to Engineering Design I (2) (1 Lec, 1 2-hr Lab) Introductory experience in analysis, synthesis, and design. Teamwork and project required. Pre: high school physics or consent.
ME 213 Introduction to Engineering Design (3) (1 Lec, 1 2-hr Lab) Introductory experience in communication, presentation, professional ethics, social responsibility, engineering economics, quality control, and computer-aided drafting. Teamwork and project required. Pre: PHYS 170. NI
ME 271 Applied Mechanics II (3) Dynamics of particles and rigid bodies; force, acceleration, impulse-momentum, work-energy. CEE and ME majors only. A-F only. Pre: C or better in CEE 270; MATH 244 or MATH 253A (or concurrent); or consent. (Cross-listed as CEE 271) NI DP
ME 311 Thermodynamics (4) Basic laws, closed and open systems. Work, heat, concept of entropy. Properties of pure simple substances. Ideal gases. Introduction to power and refrigeration cycles. Pre: grade of C or better in PHYS 170 and MATH 244. DP
ME 312 Applied Thermodynamics (3) Gas mixtures, generalized thermodynamic relationships, combustion and thermochemistry, chemical equilibrium, power and refrigeration cycles. Pre: grade of C or better in 311. DP
ME 322 Mechanics of Fluids (3) Incompressible and compressible ideal fluids, effects of viscosity. Similitude, boundary layer flow, elementary gas dynamics. Pre: grade of C or better in 311 and CEE 271 or ME 271. Spring only. DP
ME 331 Materials Science and Engineering (3) Electronic, atomic, and crystalline structure of materials and their effect on the mechanical, electrical, optical, and magnetic properties of engineering metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites. Pre: CHEM 162, MATH 242 and PHYS 170. DP
ME 341 Manufacturing Processes (3) Manufacturing components. Energy requirements for various manufacturing methods. Selection and design of manufacturing methods to obtain components with desired size/shape/properties. Pre: 331 or consent. DP
ME 342 Manufacturing Processes Lab (2) (1 Lec, 1 2-hr Lab) Manufacturing laboratory: tension/compression tests, cold rolling, welding, casting, statistical process control, programming and milling using a CNC machine. Pre: 341 (or concurrent) or consent. DY
ME 360 Computer Methods in Engineering (3) Numerical solutions for algebraic and transcendental equations, simultaneous linear algebraic equations, integration and differentiation; integration of ordinary differential equations. Engineering applications. Pre: MATH 190, MATH 244 and MATH 302 (or MATH 307).
ME 371 Mechanics of Solids (3) Stress, strain and constitutive relations for elastic solids. Design of shafts, beams, columns and cylinders. Failure theories, statically indeterminate systems. Pre: CEE 270 (grade of C or better), MATH 244 (or MATH 253A) and MATH 302 (or MATH 307). DP
ME 372 Component Design (3) Design, analysis, and selection of machine components: shafts, screws, fasteners, welds, rolling contact bearings, journal bearings, gears, clutches, brakes, belts, and roller chains. Pre: 371 or consent. DP
ME 374 Kinematics/Dynamics Machinery (3) Velocity and acceleration analysis of planar mechanisms; kinematic synthesis of linkages, cams, and gears; static and dynamic force analysis of mechanisms; balancing of machinery. Pre: CEE 271 or ME 271 (C or better), MATH 244 and either MATH 302 or MATH 307. DP
ME 375 Dynamics of Machines and Systems (3) Lumped-parameter modeling of dynamic physical systems. Methods of analysis, including transform techniques. Time response and frequency response. Modal analysis. Pre: CEE 271 or ME 271 (C or better), and either MATH 302 or MATH 307. DP
ME 402 Dynamics Systems Laboratory (2) (1 Lec, 1 2-hr Lab) Analysis, design, fabrication, testing and characterization of engineering instrumentation. Computer-based data acquisition methods. Techniques and procedures associated with carrying out dynamic measurements within the constraints of cost, time and accuracy. A-F only. Pre: 375 (or concurrent). DY
ME 403 Advanced Mathematics for Engineers (3) Applications of ordinary differential equations, Laplace transform, vector field theory, matrices, line integrals. Pre: MATH 244 and MATH 302 (or MATH 307).
ME 404 Computational Fluid Dynamics (3) Basic computational fluid dynamics; four important partial differential equations; introduction to finite element method: Interpolation and Galerkin method; finite element method for transport phenomena; some algorithms for parallel computing. A-F only. Pre: 422 (or concurrent ), and either 360, MATH 407 or PHYS 305; or consent. (Once a year)
ME 417 Applied Thermal Engineering (3) Principles, design and analysis of practical thermal systems. Engineering applications. Valve, compressor, condenser and evaporator technologies. System integration and control. Thermal loads and thermal comfort. Pre: 312. DP
ME 418 Power and Propulsion (3) Principles, performance, and design of gas turbine power plants and propulsion systems. Pre: 312 and 422 (or concurrent). DP
ME 419 Astronautics (3) The space environment (vacuum, neutral, radiation, and plasma); motion in gravitational fields; orbit transfers; Earth-satellite operations; rocketry; propulsion analysis and performance; reentry dynamics; interplanetary trajectories; attitude dynamics and stabilization. A-F only. Pre: 422 or consent. Spring only.
ME 422 Heat Transfer (3) Steady and unsteady conduction; steady convection and radiation; heat exchangers. Pre: 322, and one of 360, MATH 407, or PHYS 305. Fall only. DP
ME 423 Mass Transfer (3) Elementary mass diffusion; diffusion in a stationary medium; diffusion in a moving medium; low and high mass transfer theories; simultaneous heat and mass transfer; condensation, evaporation, and boiling; transpiration cooling; species boundary layers; engineering and design of heat and mass exchangers; current refrigerants and environmental regulations. A-F only. Pre: 422 or consent. DP
ME 424 Introduction to Gas Dynamics (3) One-dimensional compressible flow involving change of area, friction, heat transfer. Normal and oblique shocks. Prandtl-Meyer flow. Application to nozzles, diffusers, airfoils. Pre: 312 and 322. DP
ME 425 Thermal Management of Electronic Systems (3) To introduce concepts in the thermal management of electronics, and to develop sound technical tools to approach modern electronic packaging and cooling applications. A-F only. Pre: 422 or consent. Spring only.
ME 426 Scaling Methods in Engineering (3) Scaling methods and optimization under global constraints; multi-scale optimal design of mechanical, thermal, and natural systems; effectiveness of heat, fluid, and convective trees; theoretical design optimization of manmade and natural power systems; analysis of time dependent structures. A-F only. Pre: 371 and 422, or consent. Spring only.
ME 433 Failures in Materials (3) Analysis of component failures due to imperfections, fatigue, brittle fracture, wear, corrosion, bending, impact, and overload. Fracture mechanics. Case studies. Pre: 331 or consent. DP
ME 434 Materials Selection for Design (3) Methodology for the selection of materials for mechanical applications to prevent mechanical failure and environmental degradation. Design considerations associated with the use of metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites. Pre: 341, 342, and 371. DP
ME 435 Experimental Methods in Materials Research (3) (1 Lec, 2 2-hr Lab) Common experimental techniques in materials testing and research: x-ray diffraction, optical and electron microscopy, thermal and mechanical properties, electrochemical methods—theory and hands-on experience. Pre: 341 and consent.

ME 436 Corrosion Engineering (3) Basics of corrosion processes and emphasis on corrosion control. Thermodynamics and kinetics of corrosion, metal alloys and their behavior, corrosion control techniques (cathodic protection, anodic protection, coatings, and inhibitors). Pre: 341 and 342, or consent. DP

ME 446 Advanced Materials Manufacturing (3) (2 Lec, 1 2-hr Lab) Introduction to anisotropic materials, advanced manufacturing techniques for composite and intelligent materials, joining of composites, thin film processing and stereolithography, computer aided manufacturing and rapid prototyping, manufacturing process optimization, open-ended manufacturing projects. Pre: 341, 342, and senior standing; or consent. DP

ME 447 Introduction to Nanotechnology (3) (3 Lec) Tools and techniques of micro- and nano-technology in design, modeling, simulations, analysis, fabrication, testing and characterization; nano-materials, nano-structures, nano-composites, nano-coating, nano-optics, nano-electronics and nano-biotechnology. A-F only. Pre: senior standing or consent. DP

ME 451 Feedback-Control Systems (3) Analysis/design of feedback systems. Compensator design via root locus and Bode analysis. Routh/Nyquist stability. State space representation and introduction to MIMO formulation. Controllability/observability. Application to physical dynamic systems such as industrial robots. Pre: 375 or EE 315 or consent. DP

ME 452 Robotics (3) Principles and design methods for autonomous systems. Pre: senior standing. DP

ME 453 Energy Conversion Systems (3) Energy conversion and its impact on the environment. Conventional, hydroelectric, nuclear fission and fusion, solar, wind, ocean, geothermal, and biomass power; energy storage, transmission and conservation. Pre: 312, 322, and 422 (or concurrent); or consent. DP

ME 455 Nuclear Power Engineering (3) Nuclear reactor principles. Reactor heat transfer, heat generation and removal. Design and analysis of reactor power systems and plants. Pre: 312 and 422. DP

ME 471 Experimental Stress Analysis (3) (1-3 hr Lab) Techniques of experimental stress analysis: strain and deflection measurement of beams and shafts, strain to stress conversion, principal and maximum shearing stresses, failure in biaxial stress states, stress concentrations, residual stresses, buckling, creep, electrical resistance strain gages, brittle coatings, photoelastic methods, transducers. A-F only. Pre: 371 and departmental approval. Spring only.

ME 473 Mechanical Vibrations (3) Response of machines and systems to transient and periodic excitation. Vibration isolation and transmissibility. Modal analysis of multi-degree-of-freedom systems. Applications to design. Pre: 371, 375; or consent. DP

ME 474 Fundamentals of Acoustics (3) Plane and spherical acoustic waves. Transmission, reflection, radiation, and absorption. Near and far fields, radiation patterns. Applications to noise control. Instruments. Pre: 375, EE 211; or consent. DP

ME 480 Thermofluid Measurements and Design (3) Measurement techniques in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer. Hands-on experience with instrumentation. Open-ended design of thermofluid systems. Contemporary engineering ethics issues. Final report and presentation are required. A-F only. Pre: 422 (or concurrent).

ME 481 Design Project I (3) (1 1-hr Lec, 2 2-hr Lab) Engineering ethics, engineering design methodology, design process, project planning, decision making, materials selection, economic analysis, quality control, finite element analysis, initiation of an open-ended design project. A-F only. Pre: 372 or consent.

ME 482 Design Project II (3) (1 Lec, 2 2-hr Lab) Continuation of design project initiated in ME 481. Extension of conceptual design to final design and a prototype. Analysis, materials and part selection, synthesis of working systems. Computer-aided design and finite element modeling. Manufacturing specifications, shop drawings, and a final report are required. A-F only. Pre: 375 and 481, or consent.

ME 491 Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering (3) Specialized topics in thermosciences, mechanics, materials, systems, or design. Pre: consent.

ME 492 Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering (3) Specialized topics in thermosciences, mechanics, materials, systems, or design. Pre: consent.

ME 499 Project (V) Investigation of advanced problems in mechanical engineering design or development. Student must find faculty sponsor before registering. Pre: senior standing.

ME 500 Master’s Plan B/C Studies (1)

ME 615 Advanced Aerodynamics (3) Advanced topics in aerodynamics, two- and three-dimensional wing theory, slender-body theory, lifting surface methods, vortex and wave drag, analytical and numerical methods, for computing unsteady aerodynamic behavior and introduction to flight-dynamics. A-F only. Pre: 322 and 626, or consent. (Once a year)

ME 618 Boiling and Two-Phase Flow (3) Two-phase flow pattern and flow pattern maps; two-phase flow models (homogeneous, separate, drift flux, annular); laminar and turbulent film condensations; boiling incipience; pool boiling heat transfer; flow boiling heat transfer; critical heat flux (CHF). A-F only. Pre: 422 (or equivalent) or consent. Spring only.

ME 620 Biological Fluid Mechanics (3) Review of Newtonian fluid mechanics. Blood rheology and flow in elastic tubes. Murray’s Law and pulsatile flow propagation. Microcirculation dynamics and biological transport. Aquatic movement and comparative biological examples. Pre: 322 and 422, or consent. Spring only.

ME 622 Convection Heat Transfer (3) Heat transfer in laminar and turbulent boundary layers. Analogy between heat, momentum, mass transfer. Pre: 422 and 626.

ME 625 Numerical Methods in Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer (3) Integration of ordinary differential equations. Finite difference solutions of partial differential equations with applications to conduction and convection. Introduction to finite element methods. Pre: 422 and MATH 190.

ME 626 Viscous Flows (3) Formulation and properties of the Navier-Stokes equations; exact solutions; creeping flows; lubrication theory; laminar boundary layers; laminar stability, and transition to turbulence; turbulent boundary layers. Pre: 322. Fall only.

ME 630 Rheology (3) Vector and tensor operations. Constutive equations. Generalized Newtonian fluids and linear viscoelastic fluids. Rheometry and experiments. Flow of suspensions. Advanced topics and rheology of polymers, food products, biomaterials and asphalt, laboratories. Pre: 626 or consent. Spring only.

ME 635 Corrosion Theory (3) Application of electrochemical theory and materials science to corrosion and oxidation reactions. Effect of environment, especially marine. Cathodic protection, coatings, inhibitors, treatment of water systems. Pre: 331.

ME 636 Fundamentals of Electrochemistry (3) Thermodynamics of cells, electrode kinetics, mass transfer by migration and diffusion, microelectrode techniques, forced convection, impedance, double-layer structure, and absorbed intermediates in electrode processes. Pre: consent.

ME 646 Mechanics and Design Composites (3) Introduction to composites; anisotropic elasticity and laminate theory; hygrothermal effects; composite beams, columns, rods, plates, and shells; energy method; failure theories; joining of composites, computer-aided design in composites. Pre: 371 or consent.

ME 647 Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (3) Science and applications of nanotechnology. Synthesis of nanostructures; nanoscale structure characterization by electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy; electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties of nanostructures; fabrication of nanodevices; energy, environmental, and biological applications of nanomaterials. A-F only.

ME 651 Automatic Control (3) Linear optimal feedback control, discrete time optimal control, fundamentals of adaptive control, application to motion and force control of robot arms and manipulators. Pre: 451, EE 351; or consent.

ME 660 Introduction to Fuel Cell Technology (3) Working principles of all major fuel cell types; fundamentals of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells; state-of-the-art theoretical models and diagnostic technologies for PEM fuel cells. A-F only. Pre: 422 (or equivalent) or consent. Spring only.

ME 671 Continuum Mechanics (3) Cartesian tensors in mechanics, coordinate transformations, analysis of stress and strain, principal values, invariants, equilibrium and compatibility equations, constitutive relations, field equations. Problems in elasticity. Recommended: 371 or CEE 370, or consent. (Cross-listed as CEE 671)

ME 672 Finite Element Analysis (3) Introduction to finite element analysis and design in mechanical engineering. Applications to machine design, vibrations, elasticity, heat transfer. Pre: 360, 371; or consent.

ME 678 Advanced Dynamics (3) Lecture on rigid-body dynamics. Topics include: dynamical systems; motion representation and constraints; Newtonian mechanics; Lagrangian mechanics; Hamilton’s principle; stability analysis; introduction to multibody dynamics. Pre: 375 or equivalent, or consent.

ME 691 Seminar (1) Current problems in all branches of mechanical engineering. All graduate students are required to attend; registrants are expected to present talks. Pre: graduate standing.

ME 696 Advanced Topics in Mechanical Engineering (V) Highly specialized topics in thermosciences, mechanics, materials, system, or design. Pre: consent.

ME 699 Directed Reading or Research (V) Directed study on subject of mutual interest to student and a staff member. Student must find faculty sponsor before registering. Pre: graduate standing.

ME 700 Thesis Research (V) Thesis for degree of MS in mechanical engineering. Pre: admission to candidacy and consent of thesis advisor.

ME 799 Directed Instruction (V) Student assists in undergraduate classroom and/or project instruction under the direction and close supervision of faculty member. CR/NC only. Pre: admission to PhD candidacy or consent.

ME 800 Dissertation Research (V) Research for doctoral dissertation. Pre: candidacy for PhD in mechanical engineering.