Below you will find a list of Mechanical Engineering graduate specializations and
a course listing for each area. In each specialization, students develop skills in
the following:
-
Design and Manufacturing - computer-aided design, optimal design, design with reliability, additive manufacturing,
micro- and nano-fabrication
- Dynamic Systems – multiphysics phenomena, microstructural vibrations, MEMS/NEMS, novel acoustic measurement
techniques, noise control, microscale vibrations and acoustics, nonlinear dynamics,
sensors and actuators, control systems, robotics
- Materials - materials characterization, microstructure/property relationships, thin films,
computational materials, interfacial phenomena, functional materials, materials processing
- Solid Mechanics - mechanics of materials and structures, computational mechanics, biomechanics, waves
and vibration, additive manufacturing
- Energy and Transport Phenomena - heat and mass transfer in biological/environmental/industrial applications, microfluidics/nanofluidics,
complex fluids, mechanobiology, interfacial phenomena/wetting, additive manufacturing,
energy generation, energy storage, energy efficient space heating and cooling, smart
electronics and data center cooling, small-scale power harvesting
Design and Manufacturing courses include:
-
ME 517 - Finite Element Analysis I
An introductory course in the finite element (FE) method dealing with the fundamental
principles. Problems solved in the areas of solid mechanics, structures, fluid mechanics
and heat transfer. Use of standard FE software such as ANSYS. Prerequisite: mechanics
of materials or consent of instructor. Term varies. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 518 - Applied Mechanics for Design
Stress and deformation analysis of structural elements such as bars, beams, trusses,
and plates that are commonly used in mechanical design. The topics include review
of equilibrium, compatibility and constitutive laws, yielding and failure, bending
problems, energy methods, plate problems, contact and fracture problems, stability
of elastic systems, and inelastic problems. Prerequisites: ME 211 or equivalent. Term
varies. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 523 - Advanced Rigid-Body Dynamics
Fundamentals of mechanics for students in engineering practice and students contemplating
further in-depth study in mechanics. Topics included are: kinematics of particles
and rigid bodies; dynamics of articles and rigid bodies (Newton-Euler equations, impulse
momentum and work-energy principles); analytical mechanics (virtual displacements
and virtual work, Hamilton's principle, Lagrange's equations). Prerequisite:
undergraduate course in dynamics. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 527 - Mechatronics
Methods for analysis and design of electromechanical and piezoelectric systems.
Review of fundamentals in electronics, mechanics, and controls. Application
of Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics to mechanical and electrical systems.
Signal conditioning. Sensors and actuators. Vibration control. Prerequisite:
graduate standing in electrical or mechanical engineering or physics, or consent of
instructor. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 536 - Fundamentals of Additive Manu
Description: This course will explore additive manufacturing technologies from
a research and industrial perspectives. Topics will include conventional subtractive
machining, extrusion based additive manufacturing, metal additive manufacturing, inkjet
additive printing, photo-polymerizing technologies, additive nano-manufacturing, and
post-processing challenges. Course fee applies. Refer to the Schedule of Classes.
Prerequisites: ME-441 (Heat Transfer), ME-362 (Material Science), or equivalent, or
permission of the instructor. Normal grading option. Offered in the spring. 3 credits.
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 571 - Manufacturing Processes I
The course focus is the analysis and applications of traditional and more recently
developed manufacturing processes. Also, the basic properties and structure of materials
will be reviewed. The range of manufacturing processes to be studied include traditional
machining, forming, casting, joining, additive manufacturing and non-traditional machining.
The processing of metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites are treated. Prerequisite:
ME 362 or equivalent. Offered in the Fall. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 581 - Computer Aided Engr
Fundamentals of computer graphics, interactive graphics, introduction to CAD, modeling,
analysis and optimization. Introduction of finite element method and use of standard
packages for design problems. Dynamic simulation. Cannot be taken in addition to ME
381 or equivalent. Term varies. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 582 - Adv Computer-Aided Engineering
Advanced CAE will cover GD&T, CAM, theory and principles of CAD modeling, and
configuration management. Projects and laboratory assignments will include solid modeling
and manufacturing file output (CNC). There will be a weekly laboratory. A final project
will be a team, concurrent, distributed design project. Prerequisites: ME 381 or ME
581 or equivalent. Offered in the Spring. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 584 - Design of Mechanical Elements
This is a second course in mechanical component and systems design. Design and
analysis of fasteners, welds, bearings, gears, and power transmission elements will
be covered. Software packages will be used: Creo (solid modeling and computer-aided design), Creo
Structure or ANSYS (finite element analysis). Prerequisites: ME 581 and ME 392.
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 586 - Reliability Based Mech Desig
The course provides an introduction to mechanical engineering reliability analysis
as well as reliable product design. The goal is to make the student familiar with
both the statistical tools as well as the possible failure modes that enable one to
model time to failure of products and to use such models during the design phase to
ensure reliable product performance. Prerequisite: ME 392 or equivalent course. Offered
in the Fall. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
Faculty associated with this: Chiarot, Ke, Liu, Murray, Park, Razavi, Schiffres, Zhang
Dynamic Systems courses include:
-
ME 506 - Vehicle Control & Simulation
Concepts of modeling and simulation of vehicle dynamics are developed with particular
emphasis on real-time simulation. The digital simulation of the continuous system
is developed as a discrete dynamic system that may be filtered, tuned, stabilized,
controlled, analyzed and synthesized. Also included are coordinate transformation
techniques for multi-degree of freedom systems and numerical integration techniques
in the context of real-time applications. Term project involves the simulation of
the dynamics of a vehicle such as an aircraft or a land vehicle. Prerequisite: BS
degree in engineering or physics or consent of instructor. Offered in spring semester..
3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 521 - Dynamics Of Mems & Microsys
Modeling and characterization of MEMS structures. Topics include: static analysis,
free undamped vibration, free damped vibration in coupled fields (structural, electrostatic,
fluidic, thermoelastic); forced vibration, reduced-order modeling. Introduction to
perturbation approaches and nonlinear dynamics. Prerequisites: completion of undergraduate
Vibration course or co-requisite with ME421, or permission of instructor. Term varies. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 522 - Acoustics
Propagation of sound. Acoustic wave motion. Reflection of sound waves from boundaries.
Sound transmission through walls. Sound generation and radiation. Sound propagation
in ducts. Acoustic transducers: loudspeakers and microphones. Auditory systems, bioacoustics.
Prerequisite: ME535 or ME533, graduate standing in engineering or physics or consent
of instructor. Offered in the Spring. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 523 - Advanced Rigid-Body Dynamics
Fundamentals of mechanics for students in engineering practice and students contemplating
further in-depth study in mechanics. Topics included are: kinematics of particles
and rigid bodies; dynamics of articles and rigid bodies (Newton-Euler equations, impulse
momentum and work-energy principles); analytical mechanics (virtual displacements
and virtual work, Hamilton's principle, Lagrange's equations). Prerequisite:
undergraduate course in dynamics. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 524 - Adv. Mech. Vibrations
Fundamentals of dynamics as applied to mechanically vibrating systems. Equations
of motion for systems with multiple degrees of freedom are developed to determine
natural modes of vibration of discrete systems. Approximate methods of solution, e.g.,
Rayleigh-Ritz, Galerkin's method, etc., are discussed. Vibration of continuous
systems, e.g., free and forced vibration of strings, bars, beams and plates are considered.
Numerical approaches, including the finite element method, are applied to continuous
systems. Prerequisite: ME 421 or equivalent and ME535 or ME533 or consent of instructor.
Course is offered every spring semester. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 527 - Mechatronics
Methods for analysis and design of electromechanical and piezoelectric systems.
Review of fundamentals in electronics, mechanics, and controls. Application
of Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics to mechanical and electrical systems.
Signal conditioning. Sensors and actuators. Vibration control. Prerequisite:
graduate standing in electrical or mechanical engineering or physics, or consent of
instructor. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 528 - Modern Robotics
This is an entry level graduate course in robotics. This course gives students
a full overview of modern robotics, provides the basic knowledge on the foundations
of various aspects of robotics, and equips students with inherently interdisciplinary
skills in robotics. First, the coordinate frames and transformation for rigid body
motion will be discussed. Next, forward and inverse kinematics for manipulator models
will be introduced. Manipulator dynamics and path generation will be followed. Robotic
applications such as motion planning, motion control, mobile robots, etc. will be
discussed.
Prerequisites: ME302 Engineering Analysis and ME424 Control Systems in Mechanical
Engineering, or equivalent, or with approval of instructor. Offered in the fall. 3
credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 529X - Intro to Nonlinear Dynamics
The course aims to introduce the students to the principles of nonlinear dynamics
and nonlinear oscillations. The course will describe the basic characteristics and
phenomena of nonlinear dynamics and oscillations. It will emphasize analytical and
numerical techniques to tackle nonlinear problems. The topics will include equilibrium solutions, stability concepts, linearization and stability
analysis, bifurcation types, periodic solutions, Floquet theory, bifurcations, shooting
technique, Poincare section, introduction to quasi-periodic solutions, the method
of multiple scales, and Chaos.
3 credits
Prerequisites: ME 302, ME 303 or equivalent, or permission of instructor
Semesters offered varies
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
Faculty associated with this: Homentcovschi, Miles, Pitarresi, Selleck, Towfighian,
Younis, Yu, Zaychik
Materials courses include:
-
ME 536 - Fundamentals of Additive Manu
Description: This course will explore additive manufacturing technologies from
a research and industrial perspectives. Topics will include conventional subtractive
machining, extrusion based additive manufacturing, metal additive manufacturing, inkjet
additive printing, photo-polymerizing technologies, additive nano-manufacturing, and
post-processing challenges. Course fee applies. Refer to the Schedule of Classes.
Prerequisites: ME-441 (Heat Transfer), ME-362 (Material Science), or equivalent, or
permission of the instructor. Normal grading option. Offered in the spring. 3 credits.
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
MSE 560 - Thermodynamics of Materials
Examines basic thermodynamic principles including energy, entropy and free energy,
and describes the concepts of equilibrium states, phases and phase transformations.
The thermodynamic treatment of ideal, regular and real solutions is reviewed. Other
topics include the application of phase diagrams, the thermodynamic description of
interfaces and the statistical interpretation of thermodynamics on the atomistic level.
Offered in the Fall Semester. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
MSE 562 - Mechanical Behav of Engr Mtls
A study of the response of materials to applied stresses, especially stress-induced
failures. Relationship between structure and properties, with emphasis on microstructural
changes and failure. Macroscopic and microscopic concepts of fracture mechanics, fatigue,
creep and their interactions. Emphasis on design applications and failure analysis.
Prerequisites: undergraduate courses in mechanics of materials and materials science,
or consent of instructor. Spring Offering. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
MSE 565 - Crystallography & Diffraction
Fundamentals of bonding in solids; basic crystallography of materials; point groups
and space groups; tensor properties of crystals; symmetry and physical properties;
atomic packing and structures; glassy state; polycrystalline aggregates; grain boundaries
and interfaces; textures; multiphase materials; reciprocal space and its application
to structure analysis; basic diffraction theory and diffraction methods; crystal structure
determination by powder and single crystal techniques. Prerequisites: undergraduate
course in introductory materials science or consent of instructor. Offered in the Fall Semester. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
MSE 566 - Reactivity of Materials
Understanding the synthesis and reactivity of solids, phase and defect equilibria.
Use of phase diagrams. Overview of atomistic mechanisms and mathematics of diffusion,
phase transformations and microstructural evolution. Consideration of surfaces and
interfaces, including adsorption and wetting behavior. Spring offering. 4 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 570 - Transmis'n Electron Microscopy
Basic functions of the various components of a transmission electron microscopy
(TEM) instrument; the physics and theory of electron scattering and electron diffraction;
the physics of the interactions between fast electrons and specimens; TEM imaging
and contrast mechanisms; high resolution TEM; the analytical techniques of energy
dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS); operational
modes and various types of TEM techniques to probe the structure, composition and
chemistry of materials. Prerequisite: graduate status, senior standing or consent
of instructor. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 575 - Nanoscale Energy Transport
This course will explore how energy is transported and converted via molecules,
electrons, phonons, and photons. The science of these carriers has critical
energy applications, including thermoelectrics, thermal batteries, light emitting
diodes, and photovoltaics. Covered topics include kinetic theory, quantization
of energy levels, statistical distributions, Boltzmann transport relations, and nanoscale
size effects. Applications, recent advancement in the field, and experimental
techniques will be discussed. ME-441 (Heat Transfer), ME-331 (Thermodynamics), or
equivalent. Offered in the spring. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
ME/MSE 516X Intro to Nonlinear Solid Mech (new course for Spring 2024)
Faculty associated with this: Cho, Liu, Murray, Singler, Yong, Zhou
Solid Mechanics courses include:
-
ME 511 - Elasticity
Topics covered include three-dimensional analysis and representation of stress
and strain, development of governing equations of elastic media, applications of these
equations to two- and three-dimensional problems. Prerequisite: mechanics of materials
or consent of instructor. Prerequisite: ME 211 or equivalent. Offered in the Fall.
3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 514 - Plasticity
Fundamentals of deformation and strength concepts of isotropic materials. Plastic
stress-strain relations, criteria for yielding under multiaxial stress and properties
of the yield surface under loading and unloading schemes. Hardness tests and forging
problems. Elasto-plastic deformation of torsional and flexural members, hollow spheres
and thick-walled tubes. Slip-line analysis for indentation problems, and limit analysis
for frame structures and plates. Finite element theory with applications and practical
programming experience in a convenient FEM code. Dynamic plasticity experimental methods
are discussed. Prerequisites: ME 511 or consent of instructor. Term varies. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 517 - Finite Element Analysis I
An introductory course in the finite element (FE) method dealing with the fundamental
principles. Problems solved in the areas of solid mechanics, structures, fluid mechanics
and heat transfer. Use of standard FE software such as ANSYS. Prerequisite: mechanics
of materials or consent of instructor. Term varies. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 518 - Applied Mechanics for Design
Stress and deformation analysis of structural elements such as bars, beams, trusses,
and plates that are commonly used in mechanical design. The topics include review
of equilibrium, compatibility and constitutive laws, yielding and failure, bending
problems, energy methods, plate problems, contact and fracture problems, stability
of elastic systems, and inelastic problems. Prerequisites: ME 211 or equivalent. Term
varies. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 520 - Mechanics of Composite Mtls
Course introduces the concepts and advantages of composite materials to the graduate
student and advanced senior students. It covers the nature of composites and mechanics
of composites for analytical approaches to model the behavior of material. Prerequisite:
ME511 or consent of instructor. Term varies. 3 credits.
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 524 - Adv. Mech. Vibrations
Fundamentals of dynamics as applied to mechanically vibrating systems. Equations
of motion for systems with multiple degrees of freedom are developed to determine
natural modes of vibration of discrete systems. Approximate methods of solution, e.g.,
Rayleigh-Ritz, Galerkin's method, etc., are discussed. Vibration of continuous
systems, e.g., free and forced vibration of strings, bars, beams and plates are considered.
Numerical approaches, including the finite element method, are applied to continuous
systems. Prerequisite: ME 421 or equivalent and ME535 or ME533 or consent of instructor.
Course is offered every spring semester. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 532 - Principles Biomechanical Engin
Study of the basic mechanical properties of the human body, including the biomechanics
of locomotion and measurement of physiological parameters. The applications of statics
and dynamics to biomechanics. Studying the elastic, hyperelastic, and viscoelastic
material properties of Biological tissues. Image-based multiscale and multiphysics
modeling in biomechanics. Projects will be included that will stress mathematical
and computational modeling and analysis of the mechanics of tissues, limbs, joints,
and bioscaffolds.
Prerequisite: ME 211, ME 274, graduate and undergraduate in mechanical engineering.
Offered in the Spring. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 536 - Fundamentals of Additive Manu
Description: This course will explore additive manufacturing technologies from
a research and industrial perspectives. Topics will include conventional subtractive
machining, extrusion based additive manufacturing, metal additive manufacturing, inkjet
additive printing, photo-polymerizing technologies, additive nano-manufacturing, and
post-processing challenges. Course fee applies. Refer to the Schedule of Classes.
Prerequisites: ME-441 (Heat Transfer), ME-362 (Material Science), or equivalent, or
permission of the instructor. Normal grading option. Offered in the spring. 3 credits.
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 562 - Mechanical Behav of Engr Mtls
A study of the response of materials to applied stresses, especially stress-induced
failures. Relationship between structure and properties, with emphasis on microstructural
changes and failure. Macroscopic and microscopic concepts of fracture mechanics, fatigue,
creep and their interactions. Emphasis on design applications and failure analysis.
Prerequisites: undergraduate courses in mechanics of materials and materials science,
or consent of instructor. Term varies. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
ME/MSE 516X Intro to Nonlinear Solid Mech (new course for Spring 2024)
Faculty associated with this: Ke, Park, Razavi, Schiffres, Zhang
Energy and Transport Phenomena courses include:
-
ME 536 - Fundamentals of Additive Manu
Description: This course will explore additive manufacturing technologies from
a research and industrial perspectives. Topics will include conventional subtractive
machining, extrusion based additive manufacturing, metal additive manufacturing, inkjet
additive printing, photo-polymerizing technologies, additive nano-manufacturing, and
post-processing challenges. Course fee applies. Refer to the Schedule of Classes.
Prerequisites: ME-441 (Heat Transfer), ME-362 (Material Science), or equivalent, or
permission of the instructor. Normal grading option. Offered in the spring. 3 credits.
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 540 - Fundamentals of Energy Transpo
A foundation for energy transport is developed in terms of the physical modes of
heat transfer and the formulation of computational models. Conduction, single-phase
forced and natural convection, phase-change convection, and modern energy applications
are addressed. Prerequisite: BSME or equivalent or consent of instructor. Term varies.
3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 541 - Computational Fluid Dynamics
Fundamentals of computational fluid dynamics as they relate to compressible and
incompressible flows as well as interfacial phenomena. The course involves both MATLAB
implementations and the use of commercial software. Prerequisites: fluid mechanics
and differential equations, or consent of instructor. Offered in the Spring. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 543 - HVAC
Application of principles of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer
to the analysis and design of heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
Use materials of construction data in conjunction with internal gains to calculate
heating and cooling loads. Use of psychrometrics data with ventilation requirements
to select and integrate HVAC components into systems. Students will be required to
generate a presentation on a relevant HVAC topic(s). (Technical elective.) Prerequisites:
Thermodynamics (ME 331 or equivalent), Fluid Mechanics (ME 351 or equivalent) or consent
of the instructor. Offered in the Fall and Spring semesters. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 550 - Intro To Fluid Dynamics
A foundation for the analysis of inviscid and viscous incompressible flow is developed.
Foundation topics include Eulerian description, material derivative, relative motion
(strain-rate tensor), vorticity, Newtonian fluid model. Equations of motion are formulated,
leading to Euler and Navier-Stokes equations. Potential flow solutions are discussed.
Viscous flow is studied using Stokes, lubrication and boundary layer approximations.
Prerequisite: graduate standing or consent of instructor. Term varies. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 552 - Complex Fluids
Multiphase flows and complex fluids are treated from a mathematical and physical
perspective. Fundamental and applied research topics are covered, including volume-averaged
governing equations, particle-fluid and particle-particle interactions, complex fluids
and colloidal dispersions, dynamics of droplets and bubbles, interfacial conditions,
stability, atomization and sprays, and experimental methods. Prerequisites: ME 550
and MSE560 (or equivalents). Term varies. 3 credits.
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 554 - Viscous Flow
Various topics in viscous incompressible fluid flow. Navier-Stokes equations,
classical solutions, asymptotic methods, boundary layers, lubrication approximation,
capillarity, thin films with and without free surfaces, interfacial stability. Prerequisites:
undergraduate fluid mechanics, ME 535, or consent of instructor. Offered in the Fall.
3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
MSE 560 - Thermodynamics of Materials
Examines basic thermodynamic principles including energy, entropy and free energy,
and describes the concepts of equilibrium states, phases and phase transformations.
The thermodynamic treatment of ideal, regular and real solutions is reviewed. Other
topics include the application of phase diagrams, the thermodynamic description of
interfaces and the statistical interpretation of thermodynamics on the atomistic level.
Offered in the Fall Semester. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
-
ME 575 - Nanoscale Energy Transport
This course will explore how energy is transported and converted via molecules,
electrons, phonons, and photons. The science of these carriers has critical
energy applications, including thermoelectrics, thermal batteries, light emitting
diodes, and photovoltaics. Covered topics include kinetic theory, quantization
of energy levels, statistical distributions, Boltzmann transport relations, and nanoscale
size effects. Applications, recent advancement in the field, and experimental
techniques will be discussed. ME-441 (Heat Transfer), ME-331 (Thermodynamics), or
equivalent. Offered in the spring. 3 credits
Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate
Faculty associated with this: Chiarot, Daskiran, Huang, Liu, Murray, Sammakia, Singler,
Yong, Schiffres
New Course for Fall 2023:
ME 531X Applied Machine Learning for Mechanical Engineering (applied to all Specializations)
