Graduate Course Description
Graduate work in the School of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Materials Engineering is offered toward a concentration for the Master of Science degree in engineering. Safety glasses are required for some of the courses in this program. Four hundred level courses in this program may be taken for graduate credit unless otherwise indicated in the course description.
ME 400-3 Engineering Thermodynamics II. Combined first and second law analysis: Energy analysis; Analysis of power and refrigeration cycles. Detailed treatment of gas and vapor cycles including gas and steam cycles; Thermodynamics of combustion and reaction of mixtures; Introduction to thermodynamic property relations, chemical and phase equilibrium. Prerequisite: ME 300.
ME 401-1 Thermal Measurements Laboratory. Study of basic measurements used in the thermal sciences. Calibration techniques for temperature and pressure sensors. Thermal measurements under transient and steady-state conditions. Applications include conduction, convection and radiation experiments. Uncertainty analysis. The handling and reduction of data. Prerequisite: ME 302.
ME 405-3 Internal Combustion Engines and Gas Turbines. Operation and performance characteristics of Otto, Diesel, Wankel engines and gas turbines. Methods of engine testing, types of fuels and their characteristics, fuel metering systems, engine combustion analysis as related to engine performance, fuel characteristics and air pollution, exhaust gas analysis and air pollution control. Prerequisite: ME 300.
ME 406-3 Thermal Systems Design. Applications of the principles of engineering analysis to the design of thermal systems. Coordination of such systems as heat exchangers, air conditioners, cogeneration cooling towers, and furnaces. Emphasis is placed on application of basic principles of heat transfer and fluid mechanics. Prerequisite: ME 302
ME 408-3 Energy Conversion Systems. Principles of advanced energy conversion systems; nuclear power plants, combined cycles, magneto hydrodynamics, cogeneration (electricity and process steam) and heat pumps. Constraints on design and use of energy conversion systems; energy resources, environmental effects and economics. Prerequisite: ME 400.
ME 410-3 Applied Chemical Thermodynamics and Kinetics. Designed for students interested in chemical and environmental processes and materials science. Topics covered include applications of the Second and Third Laws of Thermodynamics, solution theory, phase equilibria, sources and uses of thermodynamic data, classical reaction rate theory, kinetic mechanisms and the determination of rate determining steps in chemical reactions. Prerequisite: CHEM 200, 201, ME 300 or consent of instructor.
ME 415-3 Engineering Acoustics. Principles of engineering acoustics and their applications to passive and active noise control techniques. Laboratory experience demonstrates techniques for control and reduction of noise.
ME 416-3 Air Pollution Control. An overview of problems in air pollution likely to influence the Mechanical Engineer. Engineering control theory, procedure and equipment related to control of particulate, gaseous, and toxic air emissions. Restricted to senior standing and College of Engineering or consent of instructor.
ME 421-3 Pneumatic Hydraulic Engineering. Design principles of fluid power engineering. The behavior of fluids in a system. Analysis and design of hydraulic and pneumatics machinery and systems using fluid as a medium for transmission of power and control of motion. Analysis of steady state and dynamic behavior. Critical operations and analysis.
ME 422-3 Applied Fluid Mechanics for Mechanical Engineers. Applications of fluid mechanics in internal and external flows. The mathematical basis for inviscid and vicious flows calculations is developed with application to pipe and duct flows; external flow about bodies; drag determination; turbomachinery; and reaction propulsion systems. Semester design project of a fluid mechanical system. Prerequisite: CE 370a, MATH 305, and ME 300.
ME 423-3 Compressible Flows. Foundation of high speed fluid mechanics and thermodynamics. One-dimensional flow, isentropic flow, shock waves and nozzle and diffuser flows. Flow in ducts with friction and heat transfer. Prandtl-Meyer flow. Compressibility effects in reaction propulsion systems. Semester design project. Prerequisite: CE 370a, ME 300.
ME 435-3 Design of Mass Transfer Processes. Design principles of mass transfer processes. The rate mechanism of molecular, convective and interphase mass diffusion. The design of selected industrial mass transport process operations such as absorption, humidification, water cooling, drying and distillation. Prerequisite: ME 302.
ME 436-3 Mechanical Engineering Controls. Analysis and design of controls for mechanical engineering systems: mechanical, electrical, thermal, fluid and combinations of these. Prerequisite: ENGR 335, 351, ME 261, 300.
ME 440-3 Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning Systems Design. Principles of human thermal comfort. Heating and cooling load analysis. HVAC system design. Air conditioning processes. Prerequisite: ME 302.
ME 446-3 Energy Management. Fundamentals and various levels of analysis for energy management of commercial buildings and industrial processes and buildings. Use of energy management systems and economic evaluations are required in course projects. Prerequisite: ME 302.
ME 449-3 Mechanics of Advanced Materials. Mechanical behavior of composite materials, cellular materials, functionally graded materials. Constitutive equations for linear and nonlinear ranges, failure theories, fracture mechanics. Application to the design of composite and sandwich structures, pressure vessels, shafts, armor under static loading, impact, and blast loading. Prerequisite ME 261, CE 350.
ME 463-3 Introduction to Ceramics. Structure and physical properties, mechanical properties, processing and design of ceramics. Prerequisite: ME 312 or equivalent.
ME 465-3 Introduction to Nanotechnology. Survey of the rapidly developing fields of nanometer science and engineering. Impact on society; principles of self-assembly; production and properties of nano-materials; cell mechanism as a model for assemblers; nano-tools; and nano-systems are explored. Prerequisite: CHEM 210.
ME 468-3 Friction Science and Applications. Study of systems and materials used for friction applications with a focus on aerospace and ground transportation vehicles. Course covers theories and experimental methods regarding friction and wear, contact mechanics, friction materials vibration and noise, thermal transport and thermo-elastic phenomena. The course approach uses a materials emphasis. Lectures are complemented by exposure to laboratory methods and equipment. Design of a friction component, system or testing device. Prerequisite: ME 312. Restricted to senior standing or consent of instructor.
ME 470-3 Mechanical System Vibrations. Linear vibration analysis of mechanical systems. Design of mechanical systems to include effects of vibration. Prerequisite: ENGR 351, MATH 305, ME 261.
ME 472-3 Materials Selection for Design. Interaction of material design process with material selection criteria. Comparison of materials properties, processes and fabrication. Project work includes design models, material selection rationale, oral presentation of projects, construction of mock-up models, and theoretical design problems in the area of the student’s specialization. Prerequisite: ENGR 222b, ME 312.
ME 475-3 Machine Design I. Design of machines using bearings, belts, clutches, chains and brakes. Develops application of the theory of fatigue, power transmission and lubrication to the analysis and design of machine elements. Prerequisite: ENGR 351 and CE 350a.
ME 477-3 Fundamentals of Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing. Introduction to the concepts of computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM). Subjects include computer graphics, geometric modeling, engineering analysis with FEM, design optimization, computer numerical controls, project planning and computer integrated manufacturing. (CIM). Students are required to use computer packages for projects. Prerequisite: ME 475 or consent of instructor.
ME 478-3 Finite Element Analysis in CAD. Course to cover a multitude of topics in CAD/CAE with emphasis on finite element modeling and analysis. Overview of CAD/CAM/CAE; FEA software; FEA problems including trusses, beams, frames, thermal analysis, and fluid mechanics; design optimization; rapid prototyping. Students are required to use FEA software for homework assignments and a design project. Prerequisite: ME 302 and ME 475 or consent of instructor.
ME 480-3 Computational Fluid Dynamics. Application of computational fluid dynamics techniques to the solution of problems in engineering heat transfer and fluid flow. Discretization techniques; stability analysis. Introduction to grid generation. Prerequisite: ENGR 351, CE 370, ME 302 or consent of instructor.
ME 493-3 Materials in Energy Applications. Materials are central to every technology. The course will provide information on high performance materials for alternative energy technologies and developing a fundamental understanding of their structure-property-performance relationships. It will include materials for fuel cells, lithium ion batteries, supercapacitors, photovoltaics, solar energy conversion, thermoelectrics, and hydrogen production and storage, catalysts for fuel conversion.
ME 500-3 Advanced Engineering Thermodynamics. Principles of kinetic theory and classical statistical mechanics applied to thermodynamic systems. Statistical interpretation of the equilibrium state and thermodynamic properties of engineering systems. Introduction to irreversible thermodynamics with engineering examples. Prerequisite: ME 300.
ME 501-3 Transport Phenomena. Mechanism of heat, mass and momentum transport on both molecular and continuum basis. Estimation of transport properties. Generalized transport equations in one- or three-dimensional systems. Analogy of mass, heat and momentum transfer. Macroscopic balances, simultaneous mass and heat transfer. Prerequisite: ME 302.
ME 502-3 Conduction Heat Transfer. Engineering considerations involving the construction of mathematical and numerical models of conduction heat transfer and the interpretation of results of analyses. Prerequisite: ME 302.
ME 503-3 Convective Heat Transfer. Laminar and turbulent forced convection heat transfer over surfaces and inside tubes, including non-circular cross sections. Developing flows. Laminar free convection. Emphasis throughout is on the analytical approach. Prerequisite: ME 302.
ME 504-3 X-Ray Diffraction and Electron Microscopy. (Same as PHYS 571.) X-ray physics. Geometry of crystals. Scattering of X-ray by atoms, crystals and noncrystalline matter. Kinematical theory of diffraction. Powder method, Laue method. Electron optics. Formation and analysis of diffraction patterns. Imaging techniques. Image contrast theories. Analysis of crystal defects. Advanced analytical electron microscopes.
ME 505-3 Vehicle Dynamics. Provide an introductory coverage of dynamics of vehicle systems. The topics include mainly automotive systems but others such as aircraft and train systems may be discussed. Students will become familiar with issues related to tire behavior, vehicle suspension design, steering, vehicle and load transfer.
ME 507-3 Combustion Phenomena. Basic combustion phenomena-chemical rate processes-flame temperature, burning velocity, ignition energy, quenching distance and inflammability limits-laminar and turbulent flame propagation aerodynamics of flame-gaseous detonations-two phase combustion phenomena-fluidized bed combustion. Prerequisite: ME 300.
ME 508-3 Nano/Microscale Energy and Heat Transfer. Review of limitations of macroscopic energy transport models; Energy transport and conversion mechanisms at the micro/nano/molecular scale; Energy transfer in nanostructured energy devices; Related topics on the transport of electrons, phonons and molecules; Molecular Dynamics solution. Restricted to graduate standing or consent of instructor.
ME 509-3 Thermal Radiation Heat Transfer. Review of radiation fundamentals. Prediction of radiative properties using classical electromagnetic theory. Properties of real materials. Governing equations between blackbody and graybody surfaces. Exchange of radiation between nondiffuse, nongray surfaces. Radiation in the presence of other energy transfer modes. Approximate and computer solution techniques. Prerequisite: ME 302.
ENGR 521-3 Probability and Stochastic Processes for Engineers. Axioms of probability, random variables and vectors, joint distributions, correlation, conditional statistics, sequences of random variables, stochastic convergence, central limit theorem, stochastic processes, stationarity, ergodicity, spectral analysis, and Markov processes. Restricted to graduate student status.
ME 525-3 Small Particle Phenomena. Small particle formation, behavior, properties, emission, collection, analysis and sampling. Includes atomization, combustion, transport of suspension and sols, filtration, light scattering and movement patterns of mono and polydisperse particles and use of a device to measure size, size distribution and one other physical property of an aerosol. Restricted to graduate standing.
ENGR 530-3 Engineering Data-Acquisition: Theory and Practice (Same as ECE 530). Theory of data acquisition and measurement systems. Criteria for selection of data acquisition hardware and software, instruments, sensors and other components for scientific and engineering experimentation. Methods for sampled data acquisition, signal conditioning, interpretation, analysis, and error estimation.
ME 531-3 Reaction Engineering and Rate Processes. Chemical kinetics of homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions, kinetic theories, mechanism and mathematical modeling. Reactor design. Design of multiple reactions; temperature and pressure effects. Nonisothermal and nonadiabatic processes. Non-ideal reactors. Prerequisite: ME 435.
ME 535-3 Computer Aided Analysis of Mechanical Systems I. Computer aided kinematic and dynamic analysis of planar mechanism: topics will include formulation of kinematic and dynamic equations of motion for planar systems. Automatic generations of kinematic constraint such as resolute joint, translation joint, etc. Numerical techniques for solution of nonlinear, differential, and algebraic equations, application of these techniques to planar mechanism and robotic systems. Prerequisite: ME 309.
ME 537-3 Nonlinear Vibrations. Dynamic response and stability of nonlinear systems. Examples and sources of nonlinearity. Various techniques for studying dynamic behavior or nonlinear systems. Prerequisite: ME 470 or consent of instructor.
ME 538-3 Applied Optimal Design and Control of Dynamic Systems. Unconstrained and Constrained MechanicalSystem Optimization Problems; Variational Calculus; Continuous Optimal Control; The Maximum Principle and Hamilton-Jacobi Theory; Dynamic-Systems Optimum-Control Examples; Design Sensitivity Analysis; Numerical Methods for Dynamic-System Design and Control Problems; Application of the above techniques to Large Scale Dynamic Systems. Prerequisite: ME 470 or equivalent.
ME 539-3 Catalysis in Energy Processes. This course spans the full range from fundamentals of kinetics and heterogeneous catalysis via modern experimental and theoretical results of model studies to their equivalent large-scale energy processes. Several processes are discussed including hydrogen production, fuel cells, liquid fuel synthesis. Prerequisite: ME 410 or consent of instructor.
ME 540-3 Introduction to Continuum Mechanics. Tensor analysis applied to continuum mechanics: stress and strain and their invariance, equations of compatibility, constitutive equations-including linear stress-strain relations. Prerequisite: CE 350a, MATH 305. Restricted to graduate standing in engineering.
ENGR 540-3 Design of Engineering Experiments. Planning of experiments for laboratory and field studies, factorial designs, factorial designs at two levels, fractional factorial designs, response surface methods, mixture designs. Prerequisite: Mining Engineering 417, or Mathematics 483, or equivalent, or consent of instructor.
ME 545-3 Intelligent Control. Techniques to design and develop intelligent controllers for complex engineering systems. Specific techniques covered are fuzzy logic, expert systems, genetic algorithms, simulated annealing and any combinations of these. Prerequisite: ME 436 or consent of instructor.
ENGR 545-3 Advanced Numerical Methods in Engineering. Engineering applications of linear and nonlinear equations, eigenvalue problems, interpolation and approximating functions and sets of data, numerical solutions of ordinary and partial differential equations. Prerequisite: ENGR 222 or equivalent, 351 or equivalent, and Mathematics 305 or consent of instructor.
ME 549-3 Wave Propagation, Impact and Explosions. This course will deal with the dynamic response of materials and structures to dynamic events with particular emphasis on crashes, impacts and explosions.
ME 550-3 Contact Mechanics. Course covers fundamentals of mechanics of elastic and inelastic solids in contact. Although the primary focus is on elastic contact, topics involving plastic flow, thermo-elastic effects and contact of rough surfaces are included in the content.
ME 555-3 Materials Processing. Course to cover a multitude of topics in the processing of metals, ceramics and, to a lesser extent, polymers. Example are: materials beneficiation, extraction, solidification, sintering and thin film deposition; topics for which the scientific basis for the processes is well established. Prerequisite: ME 312, 410 or consent of instructor.
ME 562-3 Environmental Degradation of Materials. Course designed for majors in engineering and the physical sciences. Topics covered include general corrosion, oxidation, hydrogen embrittlement, stress corrosion cracking and fine particle erosion. Approach will draw on principles of chemistry and materials science. Prerequisite: CHEM 200 and 210, ME 312, or consent of instructor.
ME 564-3 Ceramic Materials for Electronics. Ceramic materials contribute essential passive functions as components for a wide range of electronic applications related to sensors and energy converters. Ceramic material’s electronic properties, electronic and ionic conduction in ceramic oxides; processing, properties and applications of ceramic materials for electronics, solid-oxide fuel cells, properties, fabrication and performance will be covered in this course. Prerequisite: ME 312, 463, or consent of instructor.
ME 565-3 Finite Element Analysis. (Same as CE 551). Finite element analysis as a stress analysis or structural analysis tool. Derivation of element stiffness matrices by various means. Application to trusses, plane stress/strain and 3-D problems. Dynamic and material nonlinearity problems. Prerequisite: CE 350, ENGR 222a or b, and MATH 305.
ME 566-3 Advanced Mechanics of Materials. (Same as CE 557). Advanced topics in mechanics of materials including: elasticity equations; torsion of non-circular sections; generalized bending including curved beams and elastic foundations; shear centers; failure criteria including yielding, fracture and fatigue; axisymmetric problems including both thick and thin walled bodies; contact stresses; and stress concentrations. Prerequisite: CE 350a, and ENGR 222.
ME 567-3 Tribology. Analysis and design of tribological components particularly bearings. A number of modern developments in the field and advanced topics will be presented. Restricted to graduate standing or consent of instructor.
ME 568-3 Alternative Energy and Fuel Resources. The course covers the alternatives for energy resources and the impact of the human growth on the energy usage and its environmental consequences. The course describes the fossil fuel era, renewable energy resources, and hydrogen fuel era. The fundamentals of each of these fuel types, their conversion to usable energy and the potential of each of these fuels for the future is discussed. Prerequisite: ME 300 and 400, or instructor’s consent.
ME 569-3 Non-Destructive Evaluation. Course to cover a multitude of topics in non-destructive evaluation (NDE) techniques with emphasis on recent advancements in the field. Introduction to the field of NDE. Overview of common NDE techniques, such as visual inspection, eddy current, X-ray and ultrasonics. Recent development and research areas in NDE.
ME 577-3 Bioprocess Engineering. This course introduces the Mechanical and/or the Biomedical Engineer to the applications of bioprocesses to biotechnology, bacterial cell cultivation, animal cell cultivation, plant cell cultivation, and medical applications bioprocessing. Attention will be given to a short survey of the working cells and rectors for cell growth, but will be an overview in nature.
ME 580-1 to 2 Seminar. Presentations of topics in the broad areas of mechanical engineering such as thermal, mechanics, materials and acoustics. Prerequisite: enrollment in program leading to Master of Science of Mechanical Engineering.
ENGR 580-1 Seminar. Study and presentation of research topics from students’ own specialty areas within engineering and science. Graded S/U only. Restricted to: enrollment in the Ph.D. in engineering science program or consent of instructor.
ME 582-1 Experimental Research Tools. Topics important to engineering graduate students engaging in research. These topics include: laboratory safety, statistical data analysis, experimental design, library research and chemical hygiene. Restricted to graduate enrollment in Engineering.
ME 583-1 Technical Research Reporting. Analysis of technical and scientific writing: journal article, thesis, research paper. Guidelines and principles for writing engineering research literature and proposals. Term project involving thesis or research paper proposal to meet program requirements. Prerequisite: 582. Special approval needed from the instructor.
ENGR 590-1 to 3 Special Investigations in Engineering Science. Investigation of individual advanced projects and problems selected by student or instructor. Restricted to admission into Ph.D. program in engineering science.
ME 592-1 to 4 Special Investigations in Engineering. Advanced topics in thermal and environmental engineering. Topics are selected by mutual agreement of the student and instructor. Four hours maximum course credit. Special approval needed from instructor and program director.
ENGR 592-1 to 3 Engineering Cooperative Education. Supervised work experience in industry, government or in a professional organization. Work must be directly related to student's program of study. Student works with on-site supervisor and faculty advisor. Activity report is required from the student and performance report is required from the employer. Enrollment requires Chair's approval. Hours do not count toward degree requirements. Mandatory Pass/Fail. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
ME 593-3 Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering. Studies of special topics in various areas in mechanical engineering. Such topics as coal refining, energy conversion, thermal systems, mechanics, robotics, CAD/CAM, TOM and engineering materials. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
ENGR 593-3 Special Topics in Engineering. Studies of various special topics in the area of engineering science. Special approval needed from the instructor.
ME 595-3 Research Paper. Research paper on a topic approved by a faculty advisor and committee in Mechanical Engineering. This course is restricted to graduate students in the non-thesis option. Restricted to graduate standing in Mechanical Engineering. Special approval needed from the instructor or school.
ME 599-1 to 6 Thesis. Six hours maximum course credit.
ENGR 600-1 to 24 (1 to 16 per semester) Doctoral Dissertation. Dissertation research. Hours and credit to be arranged by director of graduate studies. Graded S/U only. Restricted to admission to Ph.D. in engineering science program.
ME 601-1 per semester Continuing Enrollment. For those graduate students who have not finished their degree programs and who are in the process of working on their dissertation, thesis, or research paper. The student must have completed a minimum of 24 hours of dissertation research, or the minimum thesis, or research hours before being eligible to register for this course. Concurrent enrollment in any other course is not permitted. Graded S/U or DEF only.
ENGR 601-1 per semester Continuing Enrollment. For those graduate students who have not finished their degree programs and who are in the process of working on their dissertation, thesis, or research paper. The student must have completed a minimum of 24 hours of dissertation research, or the minimum thesis, or research hours before being eligible to register for this course. Concurrent enrollment in any other course is not permitted. Graded S/U or DEF only