Areas of Concentration

Mechanical engineering students can select their elective courses among two technical electives and three general electives in various ways. Based on their interests, students may select the electives in a variety of topic areas. Other students may wish to cluster their elective courses in one topic area to gain a specialty within Mechanical Engineering. The following groupings are possible specialty areas that students can select from within the Mechanical Engineering program.

Aerospace Engineering

• ME 545 Introduction to Aerospace Engineering

  This course lays the foundations in aerospace engineering. Topics include the history of aviation, basic aerodynamics, airfoils, wings and other aerodynamic shapes, aircraft performance, stability and control, aircraft structures (structural analysis and materials), propulsion, flight test, rockets, space flight, and orbits.

And two courses from the following:

• ME 453 Advanced Fluid Mechanics

  Differential equations of fluid flow, Navier-Stokes equations, introduction to fluid turbulence, inviscid incompressible flow, introduction to airfoil theory, compressible fluid flow and applications nozzles, ducts and airfoils.

• ME 520 Analysis and Design of Composites

  Composite material characterization; composite mechanics of plates, panels, beams, columns, and rods integrated with design procedures; analysis and design of composite structures, joining methods and procedures, introduction to manufacturing processes of filament winding, braiding, injection, compression and resin transfer molding, machining and drilling, and industrial applications.

• ME 546 Introduction to Turbomachinery

  Aerodynamic and thermodynamic fundamentals applicable to turbomachinery; design configurations and types of turbomachinery; turbine, compressor and ancillary equipment kinematics, thermodynamics and performance; selection and operational problems of turbomachinery.

• ME 423 Engineering Design VII and ME 424 Engineering Design VIII

Automotive Engineering

• ME 423 Engineering Design VII and ME 424 Engineering Design VIII

• ME 515 Automotive Engineering

  Analysis of the automotive vehicle as an entire integrated system under highway and off-road conditions. Significant subject areas include power-train design, control and stability; suspension design, tire-road interface, soil-vehicle interface, four-wheeled, tracked and unconventional vehicles; emphasis is on design theory.

• ME 529 Modern and Advanced Combustion Engines

  The internal combustion engine examined in terms of the four fundamental disciplines that determine its characteristics: 1) fluid mechanics; 2) chemistry of combustion and of exhaust emission; 3) first and second laws of thermodynamics, and 4) mechanics of reciprocating and rotary motion; high output Otto and Diesel engines for terrestrial, maritime and aerospace environments; normal and abnormal combustion; stratified charge and advanced low emission engines; hybrid and multifuel engines; Sterling and other space engines; free-piston and rotary-piston concepts and configurations.

Biomedical Engineering

• ME 525 Biomechanics

  This course introduces the fundamental principles of mechanics applied to the study of biological systems and relates the design of implants and prosthetics to the biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system. Specific types of tissue covered include bone, ligament, skeletal and cardiac muscle, and articular cartilage. An introduction to the basic concepts of continuum mechanics is provided, including finite-deformation kinematics, stress, constitutive equations, and the governing conservation laws of mass, momentum, and energy applied to deformable continua. Rigid-body kinematics is introduced in the context of applications in biomechanics.

• ME 527 Mechanics of Human Movement and Control (pending)

And one course from the following:

• BME 482 Engineering Physiology

  Introduction to mammalian physiology from an engineering point of view.  The quantitative aspects of normal cellular and organ functions and the regulatory processes required maintaining organ viability and homeostasis.  Laboratory exercises using exercise physiology as an integration of function at the cellular, organ and systems level will be conducted at the same time. Measurements of heart activity (EKG), cardiac output (partial CO2 rebreathing), blood pressure, oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, muscle strength (EMG), fluid shifts and respiratory function in response to exercise stress will be measured and analyzed from an engineering point of view.

• ME 580 Medical Device Design and Technology

  Early history of medical devices and procedures.  Minimally invasive and open procedures, techniques and devices, including mechanical and electrosurgical devices.  Manufacturing methods for catheters, balloons, plastic and metal components.  Design of metal device components including material selection and strength and deformation adequacy using material properties and classical mechanics.  Selection of insulation materials for and testing of electrosurgical devices.  Selection of medical plastics and design elements.  Balloon and catheter burst strength.  The Poiseuille flow equation and its use for fluid flow through catheters and vessels.  Rapid prototyping techniques, advantages and limitations.  Understanding of biocompatibility testing and accelerated age testing using the Arrhenius equation.  Device sterilization methods and testing.  Developing a project plan from brainstorming to product release for a new device.  

Mechatronics (Electro-mechanical Systems)

• ME 522 Mechatronics

  This course introduces principles of mechatronics to integrate mechanical, electronic/electrical, and control/computer/software components for motion control systems. Electromechanical components and integration concepts include: machine construction and control concepts, control modes (open/closed loop, servo, and process control) and motion profiles, motion drivers and actuators (AC drives, motors, gearing, servo and stepper motors), PLC control and programming (ladder and Boolean and combinatorial logic interfaces), microprocessor/computer based (logic, operating systems, SCADA, and HMI), field devices, signal conditioning, and communication (I/O hardware and management, vision systems, protocols, and programming languages), and introduction to system integration.Course includes hands-on lab work, small   design projects, case studies, and industry guest lectures.
  

• ME 509 Mechatronics II

• ME 573 Introduction to Microelectromechanical Systems

  Introduction to microsystem design, modeling and fabrication. Course topics include material properties of Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), microfabrication technologies, structural behavior, sensing and actuation principles and methods. Emphasis on microsystems design, modeling and simulation including lumped element modeling and finite element analysis. The emerging nano-materials, processes and devices will also be discussed. Student teams design microsystems (sensors, actuators and sensing/control systems) of a variety of types, (optical MEMS, bioMEMS, inertial sensors, etc.) to meet a set of performance specifications using a realistic microfabrication process.

Nuclear Power Engineering

• ME 513 Introduction to Nuclear Engineering

  A development of the background necessary for nuclear engineering, beginning with a review of atomic physics and including radioactivity, nuclear reactions, neutron physics and elementary reactor theory, reactor dynamics and control, reactor types.

• ME 517 Nuclear Power Plant Design & Operation

  
   This course covers design methodologies for major systems and components in a 
   nuclear power plant and discusses how the integrated nuclear plant works and  
   the challenges an operator faces.  The course provides a study of the         
   interrelationship and propagation of effects that systems and design changes  
   have on one another, especially in relation to nuclear power plant operations 
   and safety.  Emphasis is placed on how operations of and faults in systems and
   components can influence reactivity and core behavior.  The students will     
   examine a typical nuclear power plant and those components and systems of the 
   nuclear plant system that have the potential for affecting core power and     
   whose failure could be an initiating event for a plant transient.  One main   
   outcome is the ability to predict behavior under complex interactions among   
   systems and to predict transient behavior of the integrated nuclear plant     
   considering factors that are important for safe and efficient operation of the
   plant including reactivity management and control, coolant inventory control  
   and core heat removal.  A replica simulator (PCTRAN) is used as an effective  
   way for students to understand accident control, emergency operating          
   procedures and plant control.  The course includes case studies and design    
   projects.

• ME 523 Nuclear Reactor Safety and Waste Disposal

  This course covers fundamental principles related to nuclear power reactor reliability, safety and waste disposal. Topics include radiation and radiological concepts and measurement, the fuel cycle and waste classification, State and Federal regulations and regulatory agencies, radiochemistry and the environmental fate of radionuclides, uranium-related wastes, low-level waste characteristics and management, high-level wastes characteristics and management, private fuel storage, waste package stability, risk assessment, geologic repositories, theory of retrievability in waste management, deep-well injection, transporting radioactive wastes, decontamination and decommission, transmutation, an international perspective on radioactive waste management, the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership, and the latest from the Blue Ribbon Commission.

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

• ME 530 Introduction to Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

  Pharmaceutical manufacturing is vital to the success of the technical operations of a pharmaceutical company. This course is approached from the need to balance company economic considerations with the regulatory compliance requirements of safety, effectiveness, identity, strength, quality, and purity of the products manufactured for distribution and sale by the company. Overview of chemical and biotech process technology and equipment, dosage forms and finishing systems, facility engineering, health, safety and environment concepts, and regulatory issues.

• ME 535 Good Manufacturing Practice in Pharmaceutical Facilities Design

  Current Good Manufacturing Practice compliance issues in design of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical facilities. Issues related to process flow, material flow, and people flow, and A&E mechanical, industrial, HVAC, automation, electrical, and computer. Bio-safety levels. Developing effective written procedures, so that proper documentation can be provided, and then documenting through validation that processes with a high degree of assurance do what they are intended to do. Levels I, II, and III policies. Clinical phases I, II, III and their effect on plant design. Defending products against contamination. Building quality into products.

• ME 540 Validation and Regulatory Affairs in Pharmeceutical Manufacturing

  Validation of a pharmaceutical manufacturing process is an essential requirement with respect to compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) contained within the Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR). Course covers validation concepts for plant, process, cleaning, sterilization, filtration, analytical methods, and computer systems; GAMP (Good Automated Manufacturing Practice), IEEE SQAP, and new electronic requirements - 21 CFR Part 11. Master validation plan, IQ, OQ, and PQ protocols, and relationships to GMP. National (FDA) and international (EU) regulatory affairs for cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practice) and cGLP (current Good Laboratory Practice) requirements in development, manufacturing, and marketing. Handling the FDA inspection.

Power Generation

• ME 510 Power Plant Engineering

  Analysis of thermodynamics, hydraulic, environmental, and economic considerations that affect the design and performance of modern power plants; overview of power generation system and its components, including boilers, turbines, circulating water systems, and condensate-feedwater systems; fuels and combustion; auxiliary pumping and cleanup systems; gas turbine and combined cycles; and introduction to nuclear power plants and alternate energy systems based on geothermal, solar, wind, and ocean energy.

• ME 529 Modern and Advanced Combustion Engines

  The internal combustion engine examined in terms of the four fundamental disciplines that determine its characteristics: 1) fluid mechanics; 2) chemistry of combustion and of exhaust emission; 3) first and second laws of thermodynamics, and 4) mechanics of reciprocating and rotary motion; high output Otto and Diesel engines for terrestrial, maritime and aerospace environments; normal and abnormal combustion; stratified charge and advanced low emission engines; hybrid and multifuel engines; Sterling and other space engines; free-piston and rotary-piston concepts and configurations.

And one course from the following:

• ME 546 Introduction to Turbomachinery

  Aerodynamic and thermodynamic fundamentals applicable to turbomachinery; design configurations and types of turbomachinery; turbine, compressor and ancillary equipment kinematics, thermodynamics and performance; selection and operational problems of turbomachinery.

• ME 595 Heat Exchanger Design

  Basic principles of heat exchanger design; types of heat exchangers, heat exchanger effectiveness; uncertainty analysis of design and operating parameters; fouling factors; heat transfer augmentation in heat exchangers, two-phase flow, boiling and condensation in heat exchangers, second law of thermodynamics for optimization of heat exchanger design; tube vibrations; codes and standards; individually supervised heat exchanger design project.

Product Design and Manufacturing

• ME 554 Introduction to Computer-Aided Design

  An introduction to using a computer system to aid in engineering design, fundamental components of hardware and software; databases and database management, numerical control and computer-aided manufacturing. Integration of manufacturing system from conceptual design through quality control to final shipping is discussed. Applications include solids modeling, CAD drawing and solution using finite element method.

• ME 564 Principles of Optimum Design and Manufacture

  Application of mathematical optimization techniques, including linear and nonlinear methods, to design and manufacture of devices and systems of interest to mechanical engineers; optimization techniques include: constrained and unconstrained optimization in several variables, problems for structured multi-stage decision, and linear programming; formulation of design and manufacturing problems using computer- based methods; optimum design of parts and assemblies to minimize the cost of manufacture.

• ME 566 Design for Manufacturability

  This course is involved in the design and development of parts and assemblies for manufacturability and functionality; characteristics and capabilities of significant manufacturing processes; principles of design for manufacturability; product planning; conceptual design; embodiment design; dimensional tolerances; optimum design of products to minimize cost of manufacture; materials specifications for ease of manufacturability and good functional results; design for ease of assembly; integrated product development; concurrent engineering practice.

Product Engineering Architecture

• PAE 610 The Creative Form and the Digital Environment: Introduction to the study of expressive form with integrated functional application.

  The study of the Creative Form in the digital environment;
   Digitally initiated formal studies (Maya, Rhino, 3D Studio); Reverse Engineering methodologies utilizing 3D Scanning and Touch Probe technologies; Advanced Geometric modeling (Catia, Pro-Engineer, SolidWorks); Design Tables, Parametric Variations; Material Systems Integration; Form Function Integration through simulation methodologies (Catia, Cosmoworks); Visualization and Virtual Reality (Adobe Creative Suite,Eon Studio).
  
  
     Laboratory Exercises: Digitally  initiated formal studies (Maya, Rhino, 3DStudio); Reverse Engineering methodologies utilizing 3D Scanning
  and Touch Probe  technologies; Advanced Geometric modeling (Catia, Pro-Engineer, SolidWorks);Form Function Integration through simulation methodologies(Catia, Cosmoworks); Visualization and Virtual Reality (Adobe Creative Suite,Eon Studio )

• PAE 630 Introduction to Interactive Digital Media

  Introduction to the study of expressive form with integrated production methodologies:
   Integration of the Production environment methodologies into formal studies Production Methods (Machining, Net-Shape Processes); Computer Controlled Machining Processes Applications(Catia, Master Cam); Net Shape Process Applications; Surface shaping and manipulation (Large Format CNC Laser
  Cutting applications); Rapid Prototyping Applications (Z Corp, Stereo
  Lithography)
  
  
  
  Laboratory exercises:  Production Methods (Machining, Net-Shape Processes); Computer Controlled Machining Processes Applications(Catia, Master Cam);Surface shaping and manipulation (Large Format CNC LaserCutting applications); Rapid Prototyping Applications (Z Corp, Stereo
  Lithography)Design and
   Architecture:
   Interactive Design and Scripting (Ceiling mounted cameras,
  Macromedia Suite,Projection Systems); Information Visualization (integration of video, photography, scanning, motion and projection);
   Non-linear video editing; Physical Computing (studies of scripting languages and its applications)
              Laboratory exercises:
           Macromedia Suite: Flash, Action Scripting
           Final Cut Pro: Non-Linear video editing
           3d Laser Scanning: Motion Scanning
           3d Laser Scanning: Touch Probe Technologies
           Blob Tracking: Projection Systems and its applications
  
   

• PAE 640 Performative Environments

  Performative Environments explores the potentials of interactive digital media as an integral part of architectural spaces. The seminar
  examines series of case studies and looks critically into body-centric
  interactivity, intelligent environments and narrative spaces. Performative Environments integrates interactivity, physical computing, design and the production environments to develop dynamic media and physical installations. Integration of both Physical and Digital Design
  methodologies; Embedded scripting methodologies (sensors, actuators and scripting integration);
   Integrated physical production methodologies
                Laboratory exercises:
                Macromedia Suite: Flash, Action Scripting;
                Final Cut Pro: Non-Linear video editing;
                3d Laser Scanning: Motion Scanning;
                3d Laser Scanning: Touch Probe Technologies;
                Blob Tracking: Projection Systems and its applications
   
  

Robotics and Automation

• ME 522 Mechatronics

  This course introduces principles of mechatronics to integrate mechanical, electronic/electrical, and control/computer/software components for motion control systems. Electromechanical components and integration concepts include: machine construction and control concepts, control modes (open/closed loop, servo, and process control) and motion profiles, motion drivers and actuators (AC drives, motors, gearing, servo and stepper motors), PLC control and programming (ladder and Boolean and combinatorial logic interfaces), microprocessor/computer based (logic, operating systems, SCADA, and HMI), field devices, signal conditioning, and communication (I/O hardware and management, vision systems, protocols, and programming languages), and introduction to system integration.Course includes hands-on lab work, small   design projects, case studies, and industry guest lectures.
  

• ME 551 Microprocessor Applications in Mechanical Engineering

  Introduction to basic concepts and current state-of-the-art hardware; architecture and elementary programming; instruction sets; fundamental software concepts; interfacing microprocessors to external devices; microprocessors in control systems; hands-on laboratory applications of microprocessors in mechanical engineering systems.

• ME 598 Introduction to Robotics

  Elements of a robotic/flexible automation system; overview of applications; manipulator anatomy; drive systems; end effectors; sensors; computer control: functions, levels of intelligence, motion control, programming and interfacing to sensors and actuators; applications: identification, hardware selection, work cell design, economics, case studies; design of parts and assemblies; advanced topics.