ME - Mechanical Engineering

Lecture session for Fluids Laboratory.

Provides a fundamental understanding of the principles of materials science as they apply to typical engineering materials. Includes consideration of atomic bonding, crystal structures, phase transformations, and mechanical properties.

Introduces graphical communication of engineering design using traditional sketches and drawings coupled with computer modeling. An introduction to engineering drawings, dimensioning, and tolerances. Three dimensional modeling introduced using commercial software. Visualization and manipulation of existing models will be performed by generating drawings, building assemblies, and creating engineering drawings. Fee: $25

Provides hands-on experience with the standard methods of processing and evaluating typical engineering materials. Includes experiments in tensile testing, heat treatment, microscopic examination, strain hardening, and impact testing. Fee: $75

Hands-on experience to gain familiarity with common manufacturing and assembly processes for mechanical devices. Fee: $130

Numerical methods applied to engineering problems: interpolation and curve fitting of experimental data, matrix analysis, numerical differentiation/integration, Fourier transforms and approximation methods in structural, thermal, and fluid systems.

Course builds on EGR 322. Both analytical and numerical modeling of stresses in tensile, bending, and torsional members. Basics to the Finite Element method (linear static analysis) with and training in computer modeling software, integrated with classical failure theories (Tresca, von Mises, and maximum principle stresses).

An introduction to the modeling and control of mechanical systems in both the time and frequency domain. Fundamentals of vibration, free and forced vibration of (undamped/damped) single degree of freedom systems. Stability, analysis and design of PID, other forms of controllers in time and frequency domains. This course is the lecture portion to accompany the laboratory course ME377.

Application of fluid mechanics principles to laminar and turbulent duct flows; head losses through pipes including minor losses; compressible flows; measurement and turbomachinery.

Classical treatment emphasizing the first and second laws of thermodynamics and their application to open and closed systems undergoing steady and unsteady processes. Tabular and graphical data, as well as ideal gas properties, are used in analytical work.

Application of thermodynamic principles in analyzing power and refrigeration systems, non-reacting gas mixtures, psychrometrics, and combustion.

Fundamental course in the study of heat and mass transfer. Conduction, convection, radiation, and mass transfer are studied in context to real engineering systems involving multiple modes of heat and mass transfer. Numerical solutions are emphasized for the many problems for which analytical solutions cannot be easily obtained.

Theoretical and practical aspects of the design of various machine components and simple systems will be studied. Design criteria are based on stress analysis, manufacturing issues, materials, and fatigue considerations.

Students will conduct a modest sized machine design project to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors. Students will use both analysis and experimentation to make engineering decisions. Fee: $50

Experimental analysis of fluid mechanics principles including pressure losses through pipes and fittings, pump turbine characteristics, drag force measurements, compressible flow, boundary layers etc. Fee: $50

Experimental studies of thermal systems including compressors, steam turbine power cycles, refrigeration, air-conditioning, Otto engine cycle, evaporative cooling towers, and heat exchangers. Fee: $55

An introduction to control systems with an emphasis on industrial motion control. Experimental studies will familiarize students with PID control, control system hardware and software, sensors, actuators, simulation, and data acquisition systems. This course is the lab portion to accompany the lecture course ME 307. Fee: $55

This course introduces the science and principles underlying flight in both the atmosphere and space, and the historical context of aerospace engineering through its key events and influential figures. Introduces aerodynamics, the behavior of airfoils and wings, and aircraft performance, orbital mechanics, escape velocity, and satellite motion. Students should be familiar with calculus, including derivatives and integrals.

Covers fundamental principles of aerodynamics, serving as an add-on to the Fluids II curriculum. Fluid dynamics concepts applied to the analysis of airfoils and wings. The course covers thin airfoil theory, finite wings, and aerodynamic design. Students will learn to calculate lift, drag, and pitching moments for airfoils, understand the effects of finite wing geometry, and apply vortex panel methods to analyze more complex shapes.

Analysis and design necessary to plan and specify equipment for heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning systems. Includes heat transfer analysis of the structure, psychrometric analysis of inside and ventilating air, and thermodynamic and economic analysis of the necessary equipment.

Study of renewable energy systems including photovoltaic, wind, geothermal systems, biofuels, and tidal energy. Overview of renewable energy credits, sustainability definitions, life cycle assessment, and exergy assessment techniques.

Systems approach to engineering with application to measurement. Time and frequency analysis of first and second order systems. Calibration, data acquisition, analog to digital conversion, filtering, and modulation will be addressed in both theory and experiment.

Introduction to the operation, analysis, and design of air-breathing and space propulsion systems, with emphasis on gas turbines and rocket engines. The course applies thermodynamics, compressible flow, combustion, and fluid mechanics to components such as turbines, compressors, combustors, nozzles, and diffusers.

Analysis of the motion of aircraft. Topics include aerodynamics, equations of motion, dynamic and static stability, handling qualities and automatic control for aircraft. Simulation and analysis of aircraft will be performed using Matlab and Simulink.

Analysis and prediction of the dynamic behavior and response of mechanical systems. Various types of oscillations and physical properties such as damping and stiffness are explained.

Industrial application of noise control criteria, measurements, materials, and design. Vibration control is comprised of source identification, system isolation, and testing. Extensive laboratory program also includes spectral and signal analysis. Fee: $50

Selected study or project in mechanical engineering for upper-division students. Must be arranged between the student and an individual faculty member and subsequently approved by the dean of engineering. No more than three hours of directed study taken at the University may be used for elective credits to satisfy degree requirements.

Credit arranged.

Faculty-directed student research. Before enrolling, a student must consult with a faculty member to define the project. May be repeated for credit. Course is graded A-F.