Mechanical Engineering

ME 220 Kinematics and Mechanisms (3)

Synthesis and analysis of mechanisms using analytical and graphical methods, covering the synthesis of linkages and other mechanisms, and the analysis of position, velocity, acceleration and force of mechanisms. Introduces the principles behind the operation of various machine elements and their associated design and analysis techniques. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: ESC 210.

ME 310 Design and Manufacturability (3)

Development of the detailed process knowledge for key manufacturing processes including: manual and machine assembly, machining, injection molding, thermoforming, and casting.  Topics discussed include the required tools, machines, process physics, and materials behavior associated with each of the manufacturing processes leading to the final product.  Prerequisites: ESC 220 and ESC 230.

ME 320 Fluid Mechanics (3)

An introduction to the fundamentals of fluid mechanics, including: physical properties of fluids, hydrostatics, conservation laws with both control volume analysis and differential analysis, Bernoulli’s equation, potential flows, simple viscous flows (solved with Navier-Stokes equations), dimensional analysis, conduit flow, boundary layers and an introduction to compressible flow.   Prerequisites: MAT 253, ESC 240, and ME 330.

ME 330 Engineering Thermodynamics I (3)

Basic thermodynamics concepts, properties of pure substances, first and second law analysis of systems and control volumes, exergy analysis, and introduction to vapor power systems. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: CHE 130T and CHE 130L, ESC 220 and MAT 260.

ME 340 Engineering Thermodynamics II (3)

Analysis and modeling of propulsion and power systems, including combustion, compressible flow nozzles, chemical equilibrium, moist air systems, PV devices and fuel cells. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: ME 330

ME 390 Machine Design (3)

Design and analysis of standard mechanical components for static and fluctuating loads.  Specification of components such as shafts, bearings, and power transformers.  Three hours of lecture per week.  Prerequisite: ESC 240, ME 220, and ME 310.

ME 410 Heat Transfer (3)

An introduction to heat and mass transfer phenomena commonly found in the practice of engineering.  The study of the fundamental heat transfer mechanisms of conduction, convection, radiation exchange, and mass transfer.  The mathematics of heat transfers in single and two dimensions and under steady and transient flows are discussed and applied using a wide set of problems.  Applications of the principles of heat transfer to heat exchangers and pipe flows are presented.  An introduction to mass transfer and diffusion is included.  Three hours of lecture per week.  Prerequisites: ME 320 and ME 330.

ME 420 Micro and Nanoscale Thermal-Fluids Science and Engineering (3)

An introduction to heat transfer at the micro and nanoscale by emphasis on physics and engineering aspects. Topics to be covered include a review of macroscopic thermal sciences, thermal transport at micro and nanoscale, microscale convection heat transfer. Materials selection and micro/nanofabrication processes will be briefly covered. Specific engineering applications such as thermal management, energy conversion, and microfluidics will also be discussed.

ME 422 Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (3)

The analysis and design of heating air conditioning systems. Topics include: psychometrics, comfort & health, heating and cooling loads, solar radiation, air distribution systems and refrigeration. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: ME 410.

ME 424 Computational Fluid Dynamics (3)

An introduction to computational fluid dynamics (CFD) which provides a basic understanding of how CFD problems are set and which factors affect the success and failure of a CFD analysis.  Included topics are: the mathematical and physical fundamentals of CFD, formulation of CFD problems, basic principles of numerical approximation (including: grids, consistency, convergence, stability, and order of approximation) methods of discretization with focus on finite difference and finite volume techniques, methods of solution of transient and steady-state fluid mechanics and heat transfer problems, commonly used numerical methods for heat transfer and fluid flows, plus a brief introduction into turbulence modeling.  Prerequisites: ME 320, MAT 450 and MAT 460.

ME 425 Sustainable Energy: Choosing Among Options (3)

The technical, economic, environmental and physical resources constraints of energy sources are discussed in terms of both national and global development needs. The current states of both non-renewable and renewable technologies are presented in terms of their potential contribution to sustainable energy resources required for continued viable economic development. Prerequisite: ME 330, or senior standing or permission of instructor.

ME 430 Introduction to Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos (3)

An introduction to the theory and phenomenology of nonlinear dynamics and chaos in dissipative systems. The content is structured to be of general interest to undergraduates in engineering, science and mathematics. The course concentrates on simple models of dynamical systems, their relevance to natural phenomena and methods of data analysis and interpretation. The emphasis is on nonlinear phenomena which may be described by a few variables that evolve with time. Prerequisites: PHY 201T, PHY 201L, and MAT 253.

ME 440 Analytical Dynamics (3)

Advanced analytical methods of classical dynamics are taught, and connections are made between classical and modern mechanics. The emphasis is placed on using the methods of Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics to model and analyze dynamic systems. Prerequisite: ESC 240 and MAT 340.

ME 446 Modeling and Control of Dynamic Systems (3)

Modeling, analysis and control of dynamic systems. Topics include system modeling, state-variable equations, input-output equations, transfer functions, linearization, block diagrams, Laplace-transform, frequency response and feedback control. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: ESC 240 and MAT 280.

ME 448 Green Building Strategies: LEED lab

This is a multidisciplinary course that utilizes the built environment’s performance, operations, and maintenance to educate and prepare students to become green building leaders and sustainability-focused citizens. This course will equip students with the skills, knowledge, and expertise needed to be effective communicators, project managers, critical thinkers, problem solvers, engaged leaders, and team players in the field of  sustainability. Campus buildings will be used to improve performance of the building through measurement and verification, operation, and maintenance with the application of green building rating systems focused on LEED V4 for Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance. Successful course completion can prepare the student for the LEED V4 Green Associate or O+M specialty exams credentials. CE 448 and ME 448 are cross-listed.

ME 449 Finite Element Analysis (3)

Modern analysis techniques used to investigate a variety of systems in engineering and science.  Computational models of problems are developed using energy concepts, structural mechanics, and matrix operations.  The methods used are implemented using a general finite element program and the accuracy of the results is evaluated.  The learned theoretical approach is applied to common structural elements such as trusses, beams, frames, and plates.  Prerequisites: ESC 230, MAT 260, and MAT 253.

ME 455 Aerodynamics I (3)

Focus on understanding the aerodynamics of air vehicles with emphasis on the generation of lift, finite wing theory, boundary layers, drag, and propulsion. Additionally, aircraft stability and control as well as performance are addressed. Laboratory experiments utilizing a wind tunnel are conducted. A final project conducted during the second half of the semester is required. Pre-req ME 320

ME 460 Modeling of Metal Cutting Processes (3)

Using state-of-the-art analysis techniques, common metal cutting processes such as turning, milling and drilling are studied. Modeling, stability and machined surface accuracy are discussed. Topics covered include cutting force models, regenerative chatter and predictive models for chatter-free processes. Prerequisites: ESC 240, ME 310

ME 471 Introduction to Mobile Robotics (3)

The fundamentals of mobile robotics are taught. The emphasis is placed on robot mobility which allows a mobile robot to move through an environment to perform its tasks, covering the aspects of locomotion, sensing, localization and motion planning. Also covered are computer modeling and programming of mobile robots. Prerequisite: ESC 240, and MAT 340.

ME 472 Fundamental Principles of Robot Manipulators (3)

The fundamental principles of robot manipulators are taught, including the kinematics, dynamics, trajectory generation and control. Also covered are computer modeling and analysis of robot manipulators, and programming of robot manipulators. Prerequisite: ESC 240 and MAT 340.

ME 480 Capstone Design I (3)

This is the first-semester course of the two-semester course sequence of Mechanical Engineering Capstone Design. The two-semester course sequence for senior undergraduate students in Mechanical Engineering (ME 480 or ME 482) is intended as a “capstone” design project where students have the opportunity to utilize the broad range of their undergraduate learning experience in a realistic team design project. Projects are selected to simulate anticipated future professional experience for the team members. Students are guided to go through a systematic design process, which consists of 1) teaming and project selection/ planning, 2) market/ user needs analysis and literature search/ review, 3) product design specification writing, 4) conceptual design, 5) detail design, 6) prototyping, and 7) testing. Design, prototyping and testing of the selected project are required for graduation. The first-semester course (ME 480) emphasizes the design phases from project planning to conceptual design. To fulfill the course requirement, each design team needs to submit a progress report for each of the design phases in this semester and a semester report encompassing all the design phases of this semester, and give an oral presentation of their design process at the end of the semester. Prerequisites: ME 320 or ME 390, and Senior standing.

ME 482 Capstone Design II (3)

This is the second-semester course of the two-semester course sequence of Mechanical Engineering Capstone Design. The two-semester course sequence for senior undergraduate students in Mechanical Engineering (ME 480 or ME 482) is intended as a “capstone” design project where students have the opportunity to utilize the broad range of their undergraduate learning experience in a realistic team design project. Projects are selected to simulate anticipated future professional experience for the team members. Students are guided to go through a systematic design process, which consists of 1) teaming and project selection/ planning, 2) market/ user needs analysis and literature search/ review, 3) product design specification writing, 4) conceptual design, 5) detail design, 6) prototyping, and 7) testing. Design, prototyping and testing of the selected project are required for graduation. The second-semester course (ME 482) emphasizes the design phases from detail design to prototyping and testing. To fulfill the course requirement, each design team needs to submit a progress report for each of the design phases in this semester and a final report encompassing all the design phases of the whole project, give an oral presentation of their design process and results, and demonstrate a functioning prototype of their design. Prerequisites: C or better in ME 480, senior standing and permission of the Mechanical Engineering advisor.