Courses

EGR20L. Engineering Innovation. Introduces freshmen to the process of team-based creative conceptualization, visualization prototyping, and product realization. Students use computer-aided design tools to create custom circuit boards and computer numerically controlled (CNC) machined components to produce prototype systems. Design concepts are introduced and supported through hands-on assignments. Instructor: Twiss and Ybarra. One course.

EGR75L. Mechanics of Solids. Analysis of force systems and their equilibria as applied to engineering systems. Stresses and strains in deformable bodies; mechanical behavior of materials; applications of principles to static problems of beams, torsion members, and columns. Selected laboratory work. Prerequisites: Mathematics 32 and Physics 61L. Instructor: Albertson, Dolbow, Gavin, Hueckel, Laursen, Nadeau, or Virgin. One course.

EGR123L. Dynamics. Principles of dynamics of particles, rigid bodies, and selected nonrigid systems with emphasis on engineering applications. Kinematic and kinetic analysis of structural and machine elements in a plane and in space using graphical, computer, and analytical vector techniques. Absolute and relative motion analysis. Work-energy; impact and impulse-momentum. Laboratory experiments. Prerequisites: Engineering 75L and Mathematics 10 course.

83L. Structure and Properties of Solids. Introduction to materials science and engineering, emphasizing the relationships between the structure of a solid and its properties. Atomic and molecular origins of electrical, mechanical, and chemical behavior are treated in some detail for metals, alloys, polymers, ceramics, glasses, and composite materials. Prerequisites: Chemistry 21L and Engineering 75L or Biomedical Engineering 110L. Instructor: Curtarolo, Lazarides, or Zauscher. One course.

101L. Thermodynamics. The principal laws of thermodynamics for open and closed systems and their application in engineering. Properties of the pure substance, relationships among properties, mixtures and reactions. Power and refrigeration cycle analysis. Prerequisite: Mathematics 103 and Physics 61L. Instructor: Bejan, Marszalek, or Tan. One course.

113. Introduction to Electronic Materials. The fundamental relationships between structure and the electronic properties of materials. Emphasis on the interrelationship of solid state chemistry and the control and prediction of concomitant electronic properties. Materials preparation and characterization methods. Prerequisite: Engineering 83. Instructor: Gösele. One course.

115L. Failure Analysis and Prevention. A study and analysis of the causes of failure in engineering materials and the diagnosis of those causes. Elimination of failures through proper material selection, treatment, and use. Case histories. Examination of fracture surfaces. Laboratory investigations of different failure mechanisms. Prerequisites: Engineering 75L and Mechanical Engineering 83L. Instructor: Cocks. One course.

125L. Control of Dynamic Systems. Mathematical modeling of mechanical, electrical, fluid, and thermal systems. State variables, linearization methods, transfer functions and block diagrams, feedback techniques for control of dynamic systems. Analysis, design, and application of instrumentation. Experimental laboratory using computer based data acquisition and processing. Prerequisite: Electrical and Computer Engineering 61L or Physics 171. Instructor: Clark, Ferrari, or Garg. One course.

126L. Fluid Mechanics. An introductory course emphasizing the application of the principles of conservation of mass, momentum, and energy in a fluid system. Physical properties of fluids, dimensional analysis and similitude, viscous effects and integral boundary layer theory, subsonic and supersonic flows, normal shockwaves. Selected laboratory work. Prerequisites: Engineering 123L and Mechanical Engineering 101L, Co-requisite or prerequisite: Mathematics 108. Instructor: Bliss, Howle, Knight, Shaughnessy, or Zhong. One course.

135. Introduction to Vibration. Mathematical modeling of masses, springs and dampers. Free vibration, damping, harmonic forcing and resonance. Complex forcing. Multi-degree-of-freedom systems. Continous systems. Modal analysis and system identification. Numerical simulation. Experimental methods. Isolation, absorption, and control. Prerequisite: Engineering 123L. Instructor: Virgin. One course.

141L. Mechanical Design. A study of practical aspects of mechanical design including conceptualization, specifications, and selection of mechanical elements. The design and application of mechanical components such as gears, cams, bearings, springs, and shafts. Practice in application of process through design projects. Prerequisite: Engineering 123L and Mechanical Engineering 115L. Instructor: Franzoni, Howle, or Knight. One course.

142. Introduction to Robotics and Automation. One course. C-L: see Electrical and Computer Engineering 142; also C-L: Information Science and Information Studies

149. Electric Vehicle Project. One course. C-L: see Electrical and Computer Engineering 149

150L. Heat and Mass Transfer. A rigorous development of the laws of mass and energy transport as applied to a continuum. Energy transfer by conduction, convection, and radiation. Free and forced convection across boundary layers. Application to heat exchangers. Selected laboratory work. Prerequisites: Mechanical Engineering 101L, Mechanical Engineering 126L, and Mathematics 108 Instructor: Howle, Knight, or Protz. One course.

160L. Mechanical Systems Design. An integrative design course addressing both creative and practical aspects of the design of systems. Development of the creative design process, including problem formulation and needs analysis, feasibility, legal, economic and human factors, aesthetics, safety, synthesis of alternatives, and design optimization. Application of design methods through several projects including a term design project. Prerequisites: Mechanical Engineering 125L, 141L, and 150L. Instructor: Staff. One course.

165. Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering. Study arranged on a special engineering topic in which the faculty has particular interest and competence as a result of research and professional activities. Consent of instructor and director of undergraduate studies required. Half or one course. Instructor: Staff. Variable credit.

166. Constructal Theory and Design of Energy-System Configuration in Engineering and Nature. The course develops a principle-based method for the generation of flow-system configuration (shape, structure, architecture). The configuration is free to morph in the pursuit of higher global performance under constraints. Real systems are destined to remain imperfect because of finiteness constraints. They are plagued by resistances to the flow of fluid, heat, electricity, goods, etc. The balancing and distributing of resistances is the "constructal" mechanism that generates the configuration, the drawing. The approach is evolutionary, from simple to complex. It begins with a brief review of strength of materials, fluid mechanics and heat transfer, and continues with topics such as the relationship between thermodynamic optimization and the generation of configuration, multi-scale hierarchical structures for fluid flow and heat flow, tree-shaped networks for collection and distribution, power generation and refrigeration structures, animal and machine flight, traffic patterns, urban design, geographical economics, breathing, blood circulation, body heat loss and allometric laws. The constructal method teaches design as science, and covers the generation of design in engineering (man & machine species) and in natural energy systems, animate and inanimate. Prequisites: ME 150 or permission from the instructor. Instructor: Adrian Bejan. One course.

170. Experimental Materials Science. Exposure to experimental methods used in the preparation and evaluation of alloys, intermetallic compounds, crystals, and ceramics. Extensive work with x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy methods. Includes vacuum and arc melting processes. Instructor: Cocks. One course.

172. Engineering Undergraduate Fellows Projects. Intensive research project in Mechanical Engineering by students selected as Engineering Undergraduate Fellows. Course credit is contingent upon satisfactory completion of 173 and 174. Consent of instructor and program director required. Instructor: Staff. One course.

173. Engineering Undergraduate Fellows Projects. Continuation course for Engineering Undergraduate Fellows, contingent upon satisfactory completion of 172. Consent required. Instructor: Staff. One course.

174. Engineering Undergraduate Fellows Projects. Final continuation course for Engineering Undergraduate Fellows, contingent upon satisfactory completion of 172 and 173. Consent required. Instructor: Staff. One course.

175. Analytical and Computational Solid Mechanics. One course. C-L: see Civil Engineering 175

187-188. Projects in Mechanical Engineering.

197-198. Special Projects in Mechanical Engineering. Individual projects arranged in consultation with a faculty member. Open only to seniors enrolled in the graduation with distinction program or showing special aptitude for research. Half course to two courses. Prerequisites: B average and consent of the director of undergraduate studies. Instructor: Staff. Variable credit.

202. Engineering Thermodynamics. Axiomatic formulations of the first and second laws. General thermodynamic relationships and properties of real substances. Energy, availability, and second law analysis of energy conversion processes. Reaction and multiphase equilibrium. Power generation. Low temperature refrigeration and the third law of thermodynamics. Thermodynamic design. Instructor: Bejan. One course.

204. Plates and Shells. One course. C-L: see Civil Engineering 204

207. Transport Phenomena in Biological Systems. One course. C-L: see Biomedical Engineering 207; also C-L: Civil Engineering 207

209. Soft Wet Materials and Interfaces. The materials science and engineering of soft wet materials and interfaces. Emphasis on the relationships between composition, structure, properties and performance of macromolecules, self assembling colloidal systems, linear polymers and hydrogels in aqueous and nonaqueous liquid media, including the role of water as an ''organizing'' solvent. Applications of these materials in biotechnology, medical technology, microelectronic technology, and nature's own designs of biological materials. Instructor: Needham. One course.

210. Intermediate Dynamics: Dynamics of Very High Dimensional Systems. Dynamics of very high dimensional systems. Linear and nonlinear dynamics of a string as a prototypical example. Equations of motion on a nonlinear beam with tension. Convergence of a modal series. Self-adjoin and non-self-adjoint systems. Orthogonality of modes. Nonlinear normal modes. Derivation of Lagrange¿s equations from Hamilton¿s Principle including the effects of constraints. Normal forms of kinetic and potential energy. Component modal analysis. Asymptotic modal analysis. Instructor: Dowell, Hall or Knight.. One course. C-L: Civil Engineering 210

211. Theoretical and Applied Polymer Science. An intermediate course in soft condensed matter physics dealing with the structure and properties of polymers and biopolymers. Introduction to polymer syntheses based on chemical reaction kinetics, polymer characterization. Emphasized (bio)polymers on surfaces and interfaces in aqueous environments, interactions of (bio)polymer surfaces, including wetting and adhension phenomena. Instructor: Zauscher. One course. C-L: Biomedical Engineering 208

212. Electronic Materials. An advanced course in materials science and engineering dealing with materials important for solid-state electronics and the various semiconductors. Emphasis on thermodynamic concepts and on defects in these materials. Materials preparation and modification methods for technological defects in these materials. Prerequisite: Mechanical Engineering 83L. Instructor: Tan. One course.

213. Physical Metallurgy. An advanced materials science course focusing on the relationships between structure and properties in metals and alloys. Conceptual and mathematical models developed and analyzed for crystal structures, elastic and plastic deformation, phase transformations, thermodynamic behavior, and electrical and magnetic properties. Prerequisites: Mechanical Engineering 83L and 101L. Instructor: Staff. One course.

215. Biomedical Materials and Artificial Organs. One course. C-L: see Biomedical Engineering 215

216. Mechanical Metallurgy. An advanced materials science course dealing with the response of materials to applied forces. Mechanical fundamentals; stress-strain relationships for elastic behavior; theory of plasticity. Metallurgical fundamentals; plastic deformation, dislocation theory; strengthening mechanisms. Mechanical behavior of polymers. Applications to materials testing. Prerequisites: Engineering 75L and Mechanical Engineering 83L. Instructor: Staff. One course.

217. Fracture of Engineering Materials. Conventional design concepts and their relationship to the occurrence of fracture. Linear elastic and general yield fracture mechanics. Microscopic plastic deformation and crack propagation. The relationship between macroscopic and microscopic aspects of fracture. Time dependent fracture. Fracture of specific materials. Prerequisites: Mechanical Engineering 83L and 115L. Instructor: Staff. One course.

218. Thermodynamics of Electronic Materials. Basic thermodynamic concepts applied to solid state materials with emphasis on technologically relevant electronic materials such as silicon and GaAs. Thermodynamic functions, phase diagrams, solubilities and thermal equilibrium concentrations of point defects; nonequilibrium processes and the kinetic phenomena of diffusion, precipitation, and growth. Instructor: Tan. One course.

221. Compressible Fluid Flow. Basic concepts of the flow of gases from the subsonic to the hypersonic regime. One-dimensional wave motion, the acoustic equations, and waves of finite amplitude. Effects of area change, friction, heat transfer, and shock on one-dimensional flow. Moving and oblique shock waves and Prandtl-Meyer expansion. Prerequisite: ME126 or equivalent. Instructor: Shaughnessy. One course.

225. Mechanics of Viscous Fluids. Equations of motion for a viscous fluid, constitutive equations for momentum and energy transfer obtained from second-law considerations, general properties and exact solutions of the Navier-Stokes and Stokes (creeping-flow) equations, applications to problems of blood flow in large and small vessels. Prerequisite: ME126 or equivalent. Instructor: Staff. One course.

226. Intermediate Fluid Mechanics. A survey of the principal concepts and equations of fluid mechanics, fluid statics, surface tension, the Eulerian and Lagrangian description, kinematics, Reynolds transport theorem, the differential and integral equations of motion, constitutive equations for a Newtonian fluid, the Navier-Stokes equations, and boundary conditions on velocity and stress at material interfaces. Instructor: Shaughnessy. One course.

227. Advanced Fluid Mechanics. Flow of a uniform incompressible viscous fluid. Exact solutions to the Navier-Stokes equation. Similarity methods. Irrotational flow theory and its applications. Elements of boundary layer theory. Prerequisite: Mechanical Engineering 226 or consent of instructor. Instructor: Shaughnessy. One course.

228. Lubrication. Derivation and application of the basic governing equations for lubrication; the Reynolds equation and energy equation for thin films. Analytical and computational solutions to the governing equations. Analysis and design of hydrostatic and hydrodynamic slider bearings and journal bearings. Introduction to the effects of fluid inertia and compressibility. Dynamic characteristics of a fluid film and effects of bearing design on dynamics of machinery. Prerequisites: Mathematics 108 and Mechanical Engineering 126L. Instructor: Knight. One course.

229. Computational Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer. An exposition of numerical techniques commonly used for the solution of partial differential equations encountered in engineering physics. Finite-difference schemes (which are well-suited for fluid mechanics problems); notions of accuracy, conservation, consistency, stability, and convergence. Recent applications of weighted residuals methods (Galerkin), finite-element methods, and grid generation techniques. Through specific examples, the student is guided to construct and assess the performance of the numerical scheme selected for the particular type of transport equation (parabolic, elliptic, or hyperbolic). Instructor: Howle. One course.

230. Modern Control and Dynamic Systems. Dynamic modeling of complex linear and nonlinear physical systems involving the storage and transfer of matter and energy. Unified treatment of active and passive mechanical, electrical, and fluid systems. State-space formulation of physical systems. Time and frequency-domain representation. Controllability and observability concepts. System response using analytical and computational techniques. Lyapunov method for system stability. Modification of system characteristics using feedback control and compensation. Emphasis on application of techniques to physical systems. Instructor: Garg. One course.

231. Adaptive Structures: Dynamics and Control. Integration of structural dynamics, linear systems theory, signal processing, transduction device dynamics, and control theory for modeling and design of adaptive structures. Classical and modern control approaches applied to reverberant plants. Fundamentals of adaptive feedforward control and its integration with feedback control. Presentation of a methodical design approach to adaptive systems and structures with emphasis on the physics of the system. Numerous MATLAB examples provided with course material as well as classroom and laboratory demonstrations. Instructor: Clark. One course.

232. Optimal Control. One course. C-L: Electrical and Computer Engineering 246

234. Energy Flow and Wave Propagation in Elastic Solids. Derivation of equations for wave motion in simple structural shapes: strings, longitudinal rods, beams and membranes, plates and shells. Solution techniques, analysis of systems behavior. Topics covered include: nondispersive and dispersive waves, multiple wave types (dilational, distortion), group velocity, impedance concepts including driving point impedances and moment impedances. Power and energy for different cases of wave propagation. Prerequisites: Engineering 123L and Mathematics 108 or consent of instructor. Instructor: Franzoni. One course. C-L: Civil Engineering 211

235. Advanced Mechanical Vibrations. Advanced mechanical vibrations are studied primarily with emphasis on application of analytical and computation methods to machine design and vibration control problems. Equations of motion are developed using Lagrange¿s equations. A single degree-of-freedom system is used to determine free vibration characteristics and response to impulse, harmonic periodic excitations, and random. The study of two and three degree-of-freedom systems includes the determination of the eigenvalues and cigenvectors, and an in-depth study of modal analysis methods. The finite element method is used to conduct basic vibration analysis of systems with a large number of degrees of freedom. The student learns how to balance rotation machines, and how to design suspension systems, isolation systems, vibration sensors, and tuned vibration absorbers. Instructor: Kielb. One course.

236. Engineering Acoustics. Fundamentals of acoustics including sound generation, propagation, reflection, absorption, and scattering. Emphasis on basic principles and analytical methods in the description of wave motion and the characterization of sound fields. Applications including topics from noise control, sound reproduction, architectural acoustics, and aerodynamic noise. Occasional classroom or laboratory demonstration. This course is open only to undergraduate seniors and graduate students. Prerequisites: Mathematics 108 or equivalent or consent of instructor. Instructor: Bliss. One course.

237. Aerodynamics. Fundamentals of aerodynamics applied to wings and bodies in subsonic and supersonic flow. Basic principles of fluid mechanics analytical methods for aerodynamic analysis. Two-and three-dimensional wing theory, slender-body theory, lifting surface methods, vortex and wave drag. Brief introduction to vehicle design, performance and dynamics. Special topics such as unsteady aerodynamics, vortex wake behavior, and propeller and rotor aerodynamics. This course is open only to undergraduate seniors and graduate students. Prerequisites: ME126 and Mathematics 108 or equivalent. Instructor: Bliss. One course

238. Advanced Aerodynamics. Advanced topics in aerodynamics. Conformal transformation techniques. Three-dimensional wing theory, optimal span loading for planar and nonplanar wings. Ground effect and tunnel corrections. Propeller theory. Slender wing theory and slender body theory, transonic and supersonic area rules for minimization of wave drag. Numerical methods in aerodynamics including source panel and vortex lattice methods. Prerequisite: Mechanical Engineering 237. Instructor: Hall. One course.

239. Unsteady Aerodynamics. Analytical and numerical methods for computing the unsteady aerodynamic behavior of airfoils and wings. Small disturbance approximation to the full potential equation. Unsteady vortex dynamics. Kelvin impulse and apparent mass concepts applied to unsteady flows. Two-dimensional unsteady thin airfoil theory. Time domain and frequency domain analyses of unsteady flows. Three-dimensional unsteady wing theory. Introduction to unsteady aerodynamic behavior of turbomachinery. Prerequisite: Mechanical Engineering 237. Instructor: Hall. One course.

240. Patent Technology and Law. The use of patents as a technological data base is emphasized including information retrieval in selected engineering disciplines. Fundamentals of patent law and patent office procedures. Consent of instructor required. Instructor: Cocks. One course.

252. Buckling of Engineering Structures. One course. C-L: see Civil Engineering 252

263. Multivariable Control. One course. C-L: Civil Engineering 263, Electrical and Computer Engineering 263

265. Advanced Topics in Mechanical Engineering. Opportunity for study of advanced subjects related to programs within mechanical engineering tailored to fit the requirements of a small group. Approval of director of undergraduate or graduate studies required. Instructor: Staff. Variable credit.

268. Cellular and Biosurface Engineering. A combination of fundamental concepts in materials science, colloids, and interfaces that form a basis for characterizing: the physical properties of biopolymers, microparticles, artificial membranes, biological membranes, and cells; and the interactions of these materials at biofluid interfaces. Definition of the subject as a coherent discipline and application of its fundamental concepts to biology, medicine, and biotechnology. Prerequisite: Mechanical Engineering 208 or consent of instructor. Instructor: Needham. One course.

270. Robot Control and Automation. Review of kinematics and dynamics of robotic devices; mechanical considerations in design of automated systems and processes, hydraulic and pneumatic control of components and circuits; stability analysis of robots involving nonlinearities; robotic sensors and interfacing; flexible manufacturing; man-machine interaction and safety consideration. Prerequisites: Mechanical Engineering 230 or equivalent and consent of instructor. Instructor: Garg. One course.

275. Product Safety and Design. An advanced engineering design course that develops approaches to assessing and improving the safety of products and product systems. Safety is presented in terms of acceptable risk and analyzed through legal case studies. Probabilistic decision making; risk economics; risk analysis and assessment. Corequisite: Mechanical Engineering 160L. Instructor: Staff. One course.

276. Designs and Decisions. Successful engineering entrepreneurship requires both the creation of new devices and processes and the ability to make rational selections among design alternatives. Design methodology is presented that fosters creativity and introduces TRIZ (the Russian acronym for Theory of Inventive Problem Solving). Decisions among design alternatives are structured and analyzed in graphical and probabilistic terms: tree diagrams; sampling theory; hypothesis testing; and confidence levels. Corequisite: Mechanical Engineering 160L or consent of instructor. Instructor: Staff. One course.

277. Optimization Methods for Mechanical Design. Definition of optimal design. Methodology of constructing quantitative mathematical models. Nonlinear programming methods for finding ''best'' combination of design variables: minimizing steps, gradient methods, flexible tolerance techniques for unconstrained and constrained problems. Emphasis on computer applications and term projects. Consent of instructor required. Instructor: Staff. One course.

280. Convective Heat Transfer. Models and equations for fluid motion, the general energy equation, and transport properties. Exact, approximate, and boundary layer solutions for laminar flow heat transfer problems. Use of the principle of similarity and analogy in the solution of turbulent flow heat transfer. Two-phase flow, nucleation, boiling, and condensation heat and mass transfer. Instructor: Bejan. One course.

281. Fundamentals of Heat Conduction. Fourier heat conduction. Solution methods including separation of variables, transform calculus, complex variables. Green's function will be introduced to solve transient and steady-state heat conduction problems in rectangular, cylindrical, and spherical coordinates. Microscopic heat conduction mechanisms, thermophysical properties, Boltzmann transport equation. Prerequisite: Mathematics 111 or consent of instructor. Instructor: Bejan. One course.

282. Fundamentals of Thermal Radiation. Radiative properties of materials, radiation-materials interaction and radiative energy transfer. Emphasis on fundamental concepts including energy levels and electromagnetic waves as well as analytical methods for calculating radiative properties and radiation transfer in absorbing, emitting, and scattering media. Applications cover laser-material interactions in addition to traditional areas such as combustion and thermal insulation. Prerequisite: Mathematics 108 or consent of instructor. Instructor: Staff. One course.