Other Courses of Interest
Structures and Materials
ME 5350/MTE 550. Phase Transformations in Materials
ME 5360/MTE 560. Materials Performance and Reliability
The failure and wear-out mechanisms for a variety of materials (metals, ceramics, polymers, composites and microelectronics) and applications will be presented and discussed. Multi-axial failure theories will be discussed. A series of case studies will be used to illustrate the basic failure mechanisms of plastic deformation, creep, fracture, fatigue, wear and corrosion. The methodology and techniques for reliability analysis will also be presented and discussed. A materials systems approach will be used. (Prerequisites: ES 2502 and ME 3023 or equivalent, and senior or graduate standing in engineering or science.) Offered each year.
ME 631. Advanced Mechanics of Solids
This course is a continuation of ME 531. Depending on the instructor, it will include a selection of the following topics: exact solutions for three- dimensional problems using vector potentials, Hertz contact solution, energy methods, elastic stability, an overview of plates and shells, and an introduction to plasticity and viscoelasticity theory.
ME 632. Dynamics of Composite Structures
The course covers topics related to dynamics of composite structures, including introduction to composite materials, fiber-reinforced composites, governing equations of motion of composite beams, plates and shells, vibration of thick composite plates and shell, and response of composite structures due to impact.
ME 633/CE 526. Advanced Finite Element Methods
Second course in the theory of the finite element method. Topics to be covered include alternate variational methods for formulating the finite element equations, methods for treating material and geometric nonlinearities, methods for transient analysis, plate and shell analysis, and an introduction to the boundary element method. (Prerequisite: ME 533. Helpful, but not mandatory to have a background in elasticity, dynamics and vibrations.)
ME 634. Holographic Numerical Analysis
Recent advances in holographic analysis of body deformations are discussed. Included in the course are topics covering sandwich holography, optoelectronic fringe interpolation technique, theory of fringe localization, use of projection matrices and the fringe tensor theory of holographic strain analysis. The application of interactive computer programs for holographic analysis of engineering and biological systems will be outlined. Lectures are supplemented by laboratory demonstrations and experiments. (Prerequisites: Matrix algebra, vector calculus and consent of instructor.)
Manufacturing and Design
ME 542/MFE 510. Control and Monitoring of Manufacturing Processes
Covers a broad range of topics centered on control and monitoring functions for manufacturing, including process control, feedback systems, data collection and analysis, scheduling, machine-computer interfacing, and distributed control. Typical applications are considered with lab work.
ME 543/MFE 520. Design and Analysis of Manufacturing Processes
The first half of the course covers the axiomatic design method, applied to simultaneous product and process design for concurrent engineering, with the emphasis on process and manufacturing tool design. Basic design principles as well as qualitative and quantitative methods of analysis of designs are developed. The second half of the course addresses methods of engineering analysis of manufacturing processes, to support machine tool and process design. Basic types of engineering analysis are applied to manufacturing situations, including elasticity, plasticity, heat transfer, mechanics and cost analysis. Special attention will be given to the mechanics of machining (traditional, nontraditional and grinding) and the production of surfaces. Students, with the advice and consent of the professor, select the topic for their term project.
ME 544/MFE 530. Computer-Integrated Manufacturing
An overview of computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM). As the CIM concept attempts to integrate all of the business and engineering functions of a firm, this course builds on the knowledge of computer-aided design, computer-aided manufacturing, concurrent engineering, management of information systems and operations management, to demonstrate the strategic importance of integration.
ME 545. Computer-Aided Design and Geometric Modeling
This course covers topics in computer-aided geometric design and applications in mechanical engineering. The objectives of the course are to familiarize the students with complex geometric modeling and analytical techniques used in contemporary computer-aided design systems. Topics to be covered may include complex curve and surface generation, Boolean algebra and solid modeling, transformations, computational and analytic geometry, automatic mesh generation, tool path generation, offsets and intersections of complex shapes, graphics standards and data transfer, rendering techniques, parametric design and geometric optimization, numerical methods for geometric analysis and graphics design programming. (Prerequisites: calculus, linear algebra, computer programming, and some familiarity with a CAD system.)
ME 641. Cam Design
Basic and advanced methods of cam design for high-speed production machinery and automotive applications will be addressed. Classical as well as polynomial and spline-based methods will be used to design cam contours. Issues of cam manufacturing and vibrations as related to cam dynamic behavior will be discussed. Practical aspects of cam design will be exercised through projects and laboratory assignments. (Recommended background: Undergraduate level courses in kinematics and vibrations. Familiarity with the techniques of dynamic signal analysis [ME 621] would be helpful.)
Biomechanical Engineering
ME/BME 550. Tissue Engineering
This biomaterials course focuses on the selection, processing, testing and performance of materials used in biomedical applications with special emphasis upon tissue engineering. Topics include material selection and processing, mechanisms and kinetics of material degradation, cell-material interactions and interfaces; effect of construct architecture on tissue growth; and transport through engineered tissues. Examples of engineering tissues for replacing cartilage, bone, tendons, ligaments, skin and liver will be presented. (Recommended preparation: A first course in biomaterials equivalent to ME/BME 4814 and a basic understanding of physiology and cell biology.)
ME/BME 552. Tissue Mechanics
This biomechanics course focuses on advanced techniques for the characterization of the structure and function of hard and soft tissues, and their relationship to physiological processes. Applications include tissue injury, wound healing, the effect of pathological conditions upon tissue properties and design of medical devices and prostheses. (Recommended preparation: A first course in biomechanics equivalent to ME/BME 4504.)
ME/MTE/BME 554. Composites with Biomedical and Materials Applications
Introduction to fiber/particulate reinforced, engineered and biologic materials. This course focuses on the elastic description and application of materials that are made up of a combination of submaterials, i.e., composites. Emphasis will be placed on the development of constitutive equations that define mechanical behavior of a number of applications including: biomaterial, tissue, and material science. (Prerequisites: Understanding of stress analysis and basic continuum mechanics.)
ME/BME 558. Biofluids and Biotransport
The emphasis of this course is on modeling fluid flow within the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems, and the transport processes that take place in these systems. Applications include artificial heart valves, atherosclerosis, arterial impedance matching, clinical diagnosis, respiration, aerosol and particle deposition. Depending upon class interest, additional topics may include reproductive fluids, animal propulsion in air and water, and viscoelastic testing. (Recommended preparation: A first course in biofluids equivalent to ME/BME 4606.)
Other Activities
ME 591. Graduate Seminar
0 credit
Seminars on current issues related to various areas of mechanical engineering are presented by authorities in their fields. All full-time mechanical engineering students are required to register.
ME 593. Special Topics
Arranged by individual faculty with special expertise, these courses survey fundamentals in areas that are not covered by the regular mechanical engineering course offerings. Exact course descriptions are disseminated by the Mechanical Engineering Department well in advance of the offering. (Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.)
ME 598. Directed Research
For M.S. or Ph.D. students wishing to gain research experience peripheral to their thesis topic, or for doctoral students wishing to obtain research credit prior to admission to candidacy.
ME 599. Thesis Research
For master's students wishing to obtain research credit toward their thesis. (Prerequisite: Consent of Thesis Advisor.)
ME 693. Advanced Special Topics
Arranged by individual faculty with special expertise, these courses cover advanced topics that are not covered by the regular mechanical engineering course offerings. Exact course descriptions are disseminated by the Mechanical Engineering Department well in advance of the offering. (Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.)
ME 698. Predissertation Research
Intended for doctoral students wishing to obtain research credit prior to admission to candidacy. (Prerequisite: Consent of Dissertation Advisor.)
ME 699. Dissertation Research
Intended for doctoral students admitted to candidacy wishing to obtain research credit toward their dissertations. (Prerequisite: Consent of Dissertation Advisor.)