2015. Introduction to Computing for Mechanical Engineers

Basic programming logic using programming languages common in industry. Application of programming to mechanical engineering problems.

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2016. Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics

Basic operation of Computational Fluid Dynamics software. Emphasis on evaluation and analysis of the solutions in the context of practical problems.

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2017. Introduction to Finite Element Analysis

Practice-oriented introduction to Finite Element Analysis for computational simulation of the behavior of continuous mechanical systems. Emphasis on the use of software for the analysis workflow, and on evaluation of the solution for practical problems.

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2120. Applied Mechanics II

Fundamentals of dynamics using vector methods. Rectilinear and curvilinear motion, translation, rotation, plane motion; work, energy, and power; impulse and momentum.

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2140. Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing

Basic Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software. Isometric/Orthogonal views and geometric tolerancing exercises will be conducted by hand and with CAD software. General manufacturing techniques. Introduction to CNC principles and GCODE.

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2193. International Study

Special engineering topics taken in an international study program. May count toward the major with consent of the advisor and approved plan of study.

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2233. Thermodynamic Principles

Introduction to the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics. Thermodynamic properties of pure substances and ideal gases. Analysis of ideal and real processes - including turbines, pumps, heat exchangers, and compressors.

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2234. Applied Thermodynamics

Thermodynamic first and second law analysis of vapor and gas cycles, property relations for simple pure substances, properties of ideal gas mixtures, psychrometry, fundamentals of combustion thermodynamics, application of thermodynamics in the design of thermal engineering systems.

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3130. Advanced Engineering Mathematics

Linear algebra, systems of linear equations, eigenvalues, vector calculus and integral theorems, series solutions to ordinary differential equations, Laplace and Fourier transforms, solution to partial differential equations. The course stresses on the application of mathematics and methods to solve engineering problems rather than derivation of mathematical theorems. Applications include structural analysis, vibration, control systems, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics.

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3161. Introduction to Robotics

Fundamentals of mathematical modeling of robots commonly found in industrial and household domains. History of robots with multidisciplinary applications, robot classifications, coordinate frame transformations, modeling rigid body motions, forward and inverse kinematics, velocity kinematics. Course includes project work.

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3162. Robot Motion Planning

The fundamentals of motion planning of robots. Topics include sensing systems for obstacle avoidance and environment mapping, robot localization, shortest path planning using potential field-based, grid-based and sampling-based methods, coverage path planning using cellular decomposition, spanning trees and potential fields, deep neural networks and their application to path planning, motion planning under constraints, adaptive planning in changing environments. Course includes project work.

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3163. Robot Control and Dynamics

Basic concepts of robot manipulator modeling and control including joint space and task space control, Euler-Lagrange dynamics, independent joint control, whole robot manipulator control, robot control using visual feedback, robot control with trajectory planner. The course will include robot controller implementation via a course project and practical examples throughout the course.

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3193. International Study

Special engineering topics taken in an International study program. May count toward the major with consent of the advisor and approved plan of study.

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3214. Dynamics of Particles and Rigid Bodies

Kinematics and dynamics of particles. Motion relative to translating and rotating observers; inertial reference systems; central forces and orbits. Kinematics and dynamics of groups of particles and rigid bodies. Lagrangian description of motion.

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3217. Metal Cutting Principles

Examination of metal cutting processes including turning, shaping, drilling, grinding. Mechanics of two and three dimensional cutting. Principles and mechanisms of wear. Tool materials. Theoretical prediction of surface finish. Chemistry of cutting fluids. Laboratory period includes operation of machine tools. Experimental determination of cutting energies forces, stresses and strains. The interrelationship between these and practical metal cutting conditions.

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3220. Mechanical Vibrations

Free and forced vibrations, with damping, of linear systems with one and two degrees of freedom. Transient vibrations. Vibration isolation. Rigid rotor balancing. Elements of Laplace transforms.

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3221. Manufacturing Automation

Introduction to Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM). Fundamentals of automated manufacturing; Computer Numerical Control (CNC); production economics and optimization of production systems.

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3222. Production Engineering

Introduction to the modern techniques of Production Systems including the Decision-Making Process, Economic Analysis, Demand Forecasting, Production and Process Design and Optimization, Production Scheduling, and Statistical Quality Control.

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3225. Computer-Aided Design, Modeling, and Graphics

Introduction to computer-aided graphics, modeling and design. Applications of graphics software and hardware with mini- and micro-computer systems. Interactive computer graphic techniques. Extensive laboratory study of wire-frame and raster computer graphics. Static and dynamic graphic presentation methods.

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3227. Design of Machine Elements

Application of the fundamentals of engineering mechanics, materials and manufacturing to the design and analysis of machine elements.

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3228. Introduction to Fatigue in Mechanical Design

Design calculation methods for fatigue life of engineering components. Crack initiation and crack propagation fatigue lives; introduction to current literature in the field. Emphasis on finite life prediction by strain life methods.

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3239. Combustion for Energy Conversion

Introduction to combustion processes and chemical kinetics. Mechanism of the formation of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, soot, and unburned hydrocarbons in stationary and vehicular power plants.

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3242. Heat Transfer

Fundamentals of conduction, convection, and radiation heat transfer. Application of the general laws of heat transfer, and heat exchange to a wide variety of practical problems. The analytical, numerical, and graphical solution of one, two, and three dimensional problems.

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3250. Fluid Dynamics I

Laws of conservation of mass, momentum, and energy in fluid systems, fluid statics, dimensional analysis, incompressible, inviscid and viscous flows, steady and unsteady flows, internal and external flows.

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3251. Fluid Dynamics II

One-dimensional compressible flow with applications to propulsion systems and gas-dynamic testing devices. Flows with friction and heat addition. Normal and oblique shock waves. Prandtl-Meyer flow. Selected topics in liquid flow.

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3253. Linear Systems Theory

Review of ODE Solutions, mathematical modeling of dynamic systems, linearization of nonlinear behavior, Laplace domain representation of dynamics, transfer functions, block diagram algebra, signal-flow graphs, Mason's rule, transient analysis of system response, convolution integral, Duhamel's integral, Green's function, stability of linear systems, Routh-Hurwitz method, root locus, frequency response, Bode and polar representations, introduction to feedback systems.

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3254. Linear Systems Theory

Introduction to block diagram algebra, signal-flow graphs, Mason's rule, transient analysis of system response, convolution integral, Duhamel's integral, Green's function, stability of linear systems, Routh-Hurwitz method, root locus, frequency response, Bode and polar representations, introduction to feedback systems.

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3255. Computational Mechanics

Topics include elementary numerical analysis, finite differences, initial value problems, ordinary and partial differential equations and finite element techniques. Applications include structural analysis, heat transfer, and fluid flow.

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3256W. Data-Driven Decisions and Technical Communications

Integration of Monte Carlo analysis—a powerful probabilistic modeling technique—with technical communication. How to effectively communicate results from Monte Carlo methods for both technical and non-technical audiences. Probability modeling, Monte Carlo simulation, statistical analysis, and the creation of technical reports and presentations.

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3262. Applied Measurements and Data Analysis

Introduction to the design and behavior of common sensors, highlighting their proper use and physical limitations. Hands-on laboratory experiences include measurements in energy conversion, solid mechanics, dynamics, and fluid and thermal sciences, as well as application of statistical methods to analysis of experimental data.

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3263. Introduction to Sensors and Data Analysis

Introduction to the design and behavior of common sensors, highlighting their proper use and physical limitations. In the lab, each type of sensor is used in a practical engineering problem, with data being taken via data acquisition software. Data analysis techniques, including Gaussian statistics, uncertainty analysis, frequency domain studies, are also covered and used on the acquired data.

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3264. Applied Measurements Laboratory

Application of fundamental measurement techniques developed in ME 3263 to various mechanical systems and processes. Hands-on laboratory experiences include measurements in energy conversion, solid mechanics, dynamics, and fluid and thermal sciences, as well as statistical methods to analysis of experimental data.

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3266. Principles of Optimum Design

Application of mathematical optimization concepts to the numerical solution of engineering design problems. Heuristic methods for the solution of optimization problems for which efficient gradient-based solution methods cannot be used. When and how to cast a design problem into an optimization problem, choosing an appropriate algorithm to solve it, how to interpret the results of the optimization, and how to diagnose problems when things go wrong.

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3270. Fuel Cells

Advanced course on fuel cells as an alternative energy conversion technology. Subjects covered include: thermodynamics and electrochemistry of fuel cells, operating principles, types of fuel cells, overview of intermediate/high temperature fuel cells, polymer electrolyte fuel cells and direct methanol fuel cells.

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3275. Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) based on pressure-based finite volume methods. Topics covered include: integral derivations of governing equations of fluid flow, finite volume discretization of diffusion and convection equations, pressure-velocity coupling algorithms based on SIMPLE method for flow field solutions and finite volume solutions of unsteady problems. The course also covers iterative and non-iterative solution methods for large systems of linear equations, as well as methods for verification and validation of computational solutions.

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3276. Propulsion

Physical and chemical concepts of basic importance in modern propulsion systems, including rockets and air-breathing engines. Topics of interest include energy sources of propulsion, performance criteria, one-dimensional gas dynamics, chemical thermodynamics, deflagration, detonation, rocket flight performance, rocket staging, chemical rockets, electric propulsion, turboprop, turbofan, turbojet, ramjet, scramjet, cycle analysis, solar sails, etc.

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3279. Honors Research

May be used to convert independent research into course credit that may be applied toward the Honors Program requirements and will count as a technical elective. As part of the course, students will be involved in research programs of their choice in areas of emerging technologies. Research work will be directed by a Mechanical Engineering faculty member who serves as the research advisor for the course. Will typically involve collaborative efforts with graduate students and other researchers, and will provide significant independent problem solving experience to supplement the classroom experience obtained from traditional coursework.

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3280. Turbines and Centrifugal Machinery

Review of fundamental fluids and thermodynamics. Introduction to compressible flow concepts. Theory, design and performance of centrifugal and axial flow machinery including turbines, blowers, fans, compressors, superchargers, pumps, fluid couplings and torque converters. A detailed study of the mechanics of the transfer of energy between a fluid and a rotor. Preparation for practical design of turbomachinery.

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3285. Sustainable Energy Sources and Systems

Topics include current energy sources and usage, environmental pollution from use of fossil fuels, nuclear energy, biomass energy, geothermal energy resources and usage, hydroelectric, solar, wind and tidal energy conversion principles, hydrogen generation and usage in electrochemical devices, energy economics and effects of energy pricing on economically viable energy options.

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3295. Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering

A classroom course on special topics as announced.

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3296. Independent Research in Mechanical Engineering

Designed primarily for students who wish to pursue academic research in a research group affiliated with Mechanical Engineering. The program of study is to be approved by the head of the department or director of undergraduate studies and by the instructor before registration is completed.

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3299. Problems in Mechanical Engineering

Designed primarily for students who wish to pursue a special line of study or investigation. The program of study is to be approved by the head of the department or director of undergraduate studies and by the instructor before registration is completed.

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3396. Honors Research

May be used to convert independent research into course credit that may be applied toward the Honors Program requirements and will count as a technical elective. As part of the course, students will be involved in research programs of their choice in areas of emerging technologies. Research work will be directed by a Mechanical Engineering faculty member who serves as the research advisor for the course. Will typically involve collaborative efforts with graduate students and other researchers, and will provide significant independent problem solving experience to supplement the classroom experience obtained from traditional coursework.

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3970. Junior Design

Principles of design are introduced. Fundamentals of project management, risk analysis, scheduling are covered. Effective technical presentation and writing techniques are introduced. Students conduct a design project through the semester.

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4161. Robotics Systems Laboratory

Hands on introduction to autonomous robotics emphasizing the synergy between hardware (microprocessors, sensors, actuators), technology (optimization, control system, machine learning) and systems (integration, programming) to achieve perception, action, and behavior in real world environment. Students will be able to apply principles of robot modeling, planning and control to the real-world platforms.

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4972. Senior Design Project I

The first part of the senior design experience. It will cover topics on design process, planning, and costs. Design for manufacture and assembly will be covered. Both oral and written reports are required.

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4973W. Senior Design Project II

Projects which have started in the previous semester will be completed. The project analysis, design, and manufacture stages will take place. Both written and oral reports will be required.

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4974W. Ethics for Engineers

Ethical decisions that challenge engineers, the impact of engineering decisions at multiple levels, the process and challenges of making ethical decisions, and the argument behind absolute vs relative good and evil. Diversity and inclusion in engineering.

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4975. Senior Design Project I

The first part of the senior design experience. It will cover topics on design process, planning, and costs. Design for manufacture and assembly will be covered. Both oral and written reports are required.

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4976. Senior Design Project II

Projects which have started in the previous semester will be completed. The project analysis, design, and manufacture stages will take place. Both written and oral reports will be required.

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