Graduate Courses
The faculty has approval to offer the following courses in the academic years 2019–2020 and 2020–2021; however, not all courses are taught each semester or summer session. Students should consult the Course Schedule to determine which courses and topics will be offered during a particular semester or summer session. The Course Schedule may also reflect changes made to the course inventory after the publication of this catalog.
Please see the General Information Catalog for an updated list of courses effective fall 2020.1
1 | Added fall 2020. |
Mechanical Engineering: M E
M E 180M, 280M, 380M, 680M, 980M. Research.
Individual research. May be repeated for credit. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in mechanical engineering.
M E 380Q. Mathematical Methods in Engineering.
Applications of mathematical analysis and numerical concepts to typical engineering problems. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and Mathematics 427K or the equivalent.
Topic 1: Engineering Analysis: Analytical Methods. Analytical solutions for linear ordinary differential equations; numerical integration of ordinary differential equations; Fourier series and integrals; the Laplace transform; the solution of partial differential equations; vector analysis and linear transformations.
Topic 2: Engineering Analysis: Advanced Analytical Methods. Classification and solution of partial differential equations; includes linear superposition, separation of variables, Fourier and Laplace transform methods, Green's functions, similarity solution, and spectral methods; introduction to solution of nonlinear partial differential equations, including both exact and approximate techniques, with a strong emphasis on physical systems.
Topic 3: Perturbation Methods. Introduction to perturbation theory; regular expansions and sources of nonuniformities; method of strained coordinates and multiple scales; method of matched asymptotic and composite expansions. Places strong emphasis on the relationship between the physical and the mathematical basis and on the crucial role of nondimensionalization in problem solving.
Topic 4: Numerical Methods for Differential Equations. Numerical solution of ordinary differential equations, both initial and boundary value equations; includes quasilinearization, shooting methods, and method of adjoints; classification and solution of partial differential equations by the finite difference method; stability and convergence criteria for various schemes; special attention to nonlinear equations with a strong emphasis on the Navier-Stokes equations.
M E 380R. Robot Mechanism Design.
Examines analysis and synthesis of motions of mechanisms in order to design robotic systems. Motion properties of mechanisms including degrees of freedom, velocity, and acceleration will be studied. Discusses design ideas and motion analysis for robotic systems for a wide range of applications including spatial, industrial and medical robotics. Simulates and analyzes motions of multi-link mechanisms in the MATLAB programming environment. Design and build robots with interesting mechanisms and mechatronics elements as part of group projects. Studies machining, assembly, mechatronics and programming through the projects. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Mechanical Engineering 380R and 397 (Topic: Robot Mechanism Design) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Graduate Standing.
M E 381M. Statistical Methods for Process Control & Manufacturing.
Restricted to Option III Mechanical Engineering Master's degree students. Covers fundamental methods for statistical monitoring of processes, including Shewhart control charts, control charts for individual measurements, CUSUM charts and attribute control charts. Explores the design of experiments, including the statistical evaluation of main and interaction effects, as well as intelligent experimentation through reduced factorial experimental design. Outlines DOE-based search techniques for surface response based design optimization. Offers advanced research in model based and active process control in highly flexible and sophisticated manufacturing systems, such as semiconductor manufacturing lithography of flexible automotive assembly lines. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and admission to the Executive ME program.
M E 381P. Dynamics of Fluids.
Detailed study of fluid dynamics, boundary layer phenomena, and incompressible flows. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Topic 1: Fundamentals of Incompressible Flow. Fundamentals. Kinematic and dynamic equations for compressible viscous flow, incompressible flow criteria, viscous flow patterns, and solution methods.
Topic 2: Compressible Flow and Turbomachinery. Two-dimensional flow at subsonic and supersonic Mach numbers, method of characteristics, shock tubes, oblique shocks, wave interactions.
Topic 3: Dynamics of Turbulent Flow. Fundamentals of turbulence, including scaling, transport, and kinetic energy of turbulence; wakes, jets; wall-bounded flows; spectrum of turbulence.
Topic 4: Multiscale Flow and Transport Phenomena. Fundamentals of flow and transport phenomena in multiscale systems, including momentum, energy, and mass transport phenomena at the microscale; surface tension (capillarity); electrokinetics; micro-scale transport in porous media; multi-phase flow; rheology; and complex fluids.
Topic 5: Applications of Incompressible Flow. Dynamics of vorticity, inviscid flow; boundary layer theory and computational techniques, linear stability theory for parallel flow, flow at moderate Reynolds number.
M E 381Q. Thermodynamics.
Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and Mechanical Engineering 326 or the equivalent.
Topic 1: Advanced Thermodynamics. Development of macroscopic thermodynamics from basic physical relationships; introduction to the thermodynamics of mixtures.
Topic 4: Molecular Gas Dynamics. Same as Aerospace Engineering 382R (Topic 6). Kinetic theory, chemical thermodynamics, statistical mechanics. Applications: equilibrium gas properties, chemical kinetics, interaction of matter with radiation, rarefied gas dynamics. Additional prerequisite: Consent of instructor
M E 381R. Heat Transfer and Rate Processes.
Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and Mechanical Engineering 339 or the equivalent.
Topic 1: Advanced Conductive Heat Transfer. Modeling approaches for composite systems; phase change in conduction-dominant heat transfer systems; analysis of complex source terms in conduction systems; conduction physics at material interfaces; coupled thermo-mechanical response in conduction systems; and solution techniques for multidimensional, unsteady conduction phenomena.
Topic 2: Advanced Convective Heat and Mass Transfer. Fundamental study of momentum, energy, and mass transport in convective systems in laminar and turbulent regimes, and several flow configurations.
Topic 3: Radiation Heat Transfer. Thermal radiation, blackbody properties, surface properties, radiant exchange, absorbing and emitting media, combined modes.
Topic 4: Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer. Fundamentals of conduction, convective heat transfer, diffusive and convective mass transfer, thermal radiative exchange.
Topic 5: Radiation in Participating Media. Methods for treating thermal radiation in absorbing, transmitting, and scattering media.
Topic 6: Multiphase Flow and Heat Transfer. Heat, mass, and momentum transfer in multi-phase flow systems: flows with particles, drops and bubbles, boiling, condensation, and absorption.
Topic 7: Nanoscale Energy Transport and Conversion. Nanoscale transport phenomena and energy conversion processes. Parallel theoretical treatment of transport and conversion processes of electrons, phonons, photons, and molecules in various applications including photovoltaic and thermoelectric energy conversions, microelectronics, nanomaterials, and laser materials processing.
M E 382N. Computational Fluid Dynamics.
Numerical analysis applied to fluid flow and heat transfer problems. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Topic 1: Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics. Applied numerical analysis, including solution of linear algebraic equations and ordinary and partial differential equations; modeling of physical processes, including fluid flow and heat and mass transfer; use of general-purpose computer codes, including commercial computational fluid dynamics software. Additional prerequisite: Mechanical Engineering 339 or the equivalent.
Topic 2: Computational Methods for Thermal Fluid Systems. Introduction to the use of computational tools in the analysis of thermal-fluid systems, with particular emphasis on verification of results and error analysis. Included are interpolation, differentiation, quadrature, solution of linear and non-linear equations, optimization, differential equations and statistics. Additional prerequisite: Mathematics 427K or the equivalent.
M E 382P. Topics in Experimental Thermal/Fluid Systems.
Use of modern experimental techniques and instrumentation in the thermal/fluid sciences. Two lecture hours and three laboratory hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Topic 1: Advanced Experimental Methods for Thermal/Fluid Systems. Design of experiments; fundamentals of electronic signal processing and optics; advanced experimental techniques, including flow measurements with laser-Doppler velocimetry, particle image velocimetry, and hot-wire anemometry; and thermal measurements with infrared cameras and thermocouples.
Topic 2: Optics and Lasers. Fundamentals of geometric and physical optics; interaction of light with matter; spectroscopy; and laser and electro-optics applications.
M E 382Q. Design of Thermal and Fluid Systems.
Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and Mechanical Engineering 339 or the equivalent.
Topic 2: Solar Energy System Design. Solar radiation, solar collectors, storage, and system analysis and design. Application to both thermal and photovoltaic systems.
Topic 3: Advanced Thermo-Fluid Systems. Project-based course addressing the design and analysis of systems in which thermal and fluid processes are central to function and performance. Advanced topics including transient system analysis, multicomponent nonreacting and reacting gas mixtures, phase change phenomena, and design principles based on entropy generation minimization are covered in the context of specific thermal-fluid applications.
Topic 4: Energy Technology and Policy. Multidisciplinary overview of energy technologies, fuels, environmental impacts, and public policies. Quantitative engineering analysis in energy, including the differences among fuels and energy technologies, the electricity sector, liquid fuels, conventional fuels, renewable fuels, impacts on the environment, basics of atmospheric chemistry, and water use for power plant cooling. Energy policy and the societal aspects of energy, such as culture, economics, war, and international affairs, are covered.
M E 382R. Topics in Combustion.
Fundamentals of combustion science, technology, and engineering. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.
Topic 1: Fundamentals of Combustion. Combustion phenomena are examined from a fundamental perspective. Topics include equilibrium phenomena, chemical kinetics, explosions, detonations, and premixed and diffusion flames. Additional prerequisite: Knowledge of computer programming or the use of public domain codes.
Topic 2: Chemical Kinetics. The theory of combustion chemistry. Issues include physics of molecular interactions, the explosion peninsula, elementary reaction schemes, reduced reaction schemes, and global chemistry.
Topic 5: Advanced Combustion. Presentation and analysis of multi-component and reacting conservation equations; examination of the theory of laminar flames (premixed and nonpremixed) using asymptotic methods; detailing of ignition and extinction phenomena; discussion of flame response to transport and flow modifications; and approaches to analyzing turbulent premixed and nonpremixed flames.
Topic 6: Combustion Engine Processes. Principles of internal combustion engines, fuels, carburetion, combustion, exhaust emissions, knock, fuel injection, and factors affecting performance.
M E 382T. Fire Science.
Analysis of dynamics and consequences of fire in structures. Topics include combustion thermochemistry, premixed and diffusion flames, fluid mechanics of fire, human tenability in burning structures, computer modeling of fires. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Mechanical Engineering 382R (Topic: Fire Science) and 382T may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and Mechanical Engineering 326, 330, and 339, or their equivalents.
M E 383M. Heat Transfer in Industrial Systems.
Restricted to Option III Mechanical Engineering Master's degree students. Provides understanding of heat transfer physics and the tools to analyze a wide range of industrially relevant heat transfer problems. Analyzes heat transfer systems associated with a diversity of industrial applications, as well as how to use order of magnitude analysis to simplify complex problems and solution techniques for the three modes of heat transfer. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
M E 383Q. Analysis of Mechanical Systems.
Detailed studies in the characteristics of mechanical systems. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Topic 1: Vibrations. Formulation of discrete and continuous models for mechanical systems in vibration; modal analysis; analytical solution methods for constant property linear systems; numerical solution methods.
Topic 2: Dynamics of Mechanical Systems. Advanced dynamics, including Newton-Euler, Lagrange, and Hamilton's principles; gyroscopic effects in mechanical systems; analysis of stability of systems; continuous bodies; introduction to Hamilton-Jacobi.
Topic 4: Modeling of Physical Systems. Development of models for mechanical, electrical, fluid, thermal, and chemical systems; circuit techniques; bond graphs; energy and variational methods; hardware examples.
Topic 5: Wave Propagation. Fundamentals of wave propagation; transverse waves on strings and membranes; compressional, torsional, and flexural waves in rods and plates; longitudinal, shear, and surface waves in elastic media; tube waves; and water waves.
Topic 6: Fourier and Spectral Analysis in Dynamic Systems. Fourier transformations (series, integrals, fast Fourier transforms) and their relationships. Sampling, aliasing, convolution, correlation, leakage, windowing, power spectra, frequency response functions, and coherence functions in one-dimensional digital signal processing. Cepstrum analysis, Hilbert transforms. Experimental techniques and applications include modal analysis, mechanical signature analysis, and path identification. Additional prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Topic 8: Digital Signal Processing. Sampling and quantizing processes; analog/digital and digital/analog conversion; digital Fourier analysis, including fast Fourier transform; z transform; design of finite impulse response and infinite impulse response digital filters.
Topic 9: Applied Intelligence for Engineers. Fundamental concepts of artificial neural systems; architecture, paradigms, topology, and learning algorithms. Introduction to the most popular networks and to their selection for engineering applications.
Topic 10: Modeling and Simulations of Multienergy Systems. Methods for modeling and simulation of multienergy systems. Detailed study of applications in electromechanical systems, fluid power, chemical and biological processes, optimal control, and other areas of interest to the class.
M E 383S. Lubrication, Wear, and Bearing Technology.
Theory of friction and wear; design of bearing systems, including hydrodynamic, rheodynamic, and direct contact devices. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.
Topic 1: Friction and Wear of Materials. Theories of friction, theories of wear (adhesion, delamination), pitting, spalling, fretting, and galvanic corrosion.
M E 384E. Electromechanics.
Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.
M E 384M. Fluid Mechanics in Industrial Processes.
Restricted to Option III Mechanical Engineering Master's degree students. Offers practicing engineers and technology managers a comprehensive treatment of various fluid mechanics topics. Explores fluid flow and related phenomena in multiple application spaces. Benefit the design and analyses of various fluid-based systems. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and admission to the Executive ME program.
M E 384N. Acoustics.
Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.
Topic 1: Acoustics I. Same as Electrical Engineering 384N (Topic 1). Plane waves in fluids; transient and steady-state reflection and transmission; lumped elements; refraction; strings, membranes, and rooms; horns; ray acoustics; absorption and dispersion. Electrical Engineering 384N (Topic 1) and Mechanical Engineering 384N (Topic 1) may not both be counted.
Topic 2: Acoustics II. Same as Electrical Engineering 384N (Topic 2). Spherical and cylindrical waves, radiation and scattering, multipole expansions, Green's functions, waveguides, sound beams, Fourier acoustics, Kirchhoff theory of diffraction, and arrays. Electrical Engineering 384N (Topic 2) and Mechanical Engineering 384N (Topic 2) may not both be counted.
Topic 3: Electromechanical Transducers. Same as Electrical Engineering 384N (Topic 3). Modeling, analysis, and design of transducers for reception and transmission of acoustic and vibration signals; dynamics of coupled electrical, mechanical, and acoustical systems; and the effects of transducer characteristics on fidelity and efficiency of transduction. Electrical Engineering 384N (Topic 3) and Mechanical Engineering 384N (Topic 3) may not both be counted.
Topic 4: Nonlinear Acoustics. Same as Electrical Engineering 384N (Topic 4). Waveform distortion and shock formation, harmonic generation and spectral interactions, effects of absorption and dispersion, parametric arrays, Rankine-Hugoniot relations, weak shock theory, numerical modeling, radiation pressure, and acoustic streaming. Electrical Engineering 384N (Topic 4) and Mechanical Engineering 384N (Topic 4) may not both be counted.
Topic 5: Underwater Acoustics. Same as Electrical Engineering 384N (Topic 5). Acoustic properties of the ocean; acoustic propagation, reflection, reverberation, scattering and target strength; ocean noise; introduction to array and signal processing; basics of sonar design. Electrical Engineering 384N (Topic 5) and Mechanical Engineering 384N (Topic 5) may not both be counted.
Topic 6: Architectural Acoustics. Same as Electrical Engineering 384N (Topic 6). Human perception of sound, principles of room acoustics, sound-absorptive materials, transmission between rooms, and acoustical design of enclosed spaces. Electrical Engineering 384N (Topic 6) and Mechanical Engineering 384N (Topic 6) may not both be counted.
Topic 7: Ultrasonics. Same as Electrical Engineering 384N (Topic 7). Acoustic wave propagation in fluids, elastic solids, and tissue; transducers, arrays, and beamforming; nondestructive evaluation; and acoustical imaging. Electrical Engineering 384N (Topic 7) and Mechanical Engineering 384N (Topic 7) may not both be counted.
Topic 8: Wave Phenomena. Same as Electrical Engineering 384N (Topic 8). Fourier acoustics and angular spectra; nearfield acoustical holography; Fraunhofer, Fresnel, and parabolic approximations; sound beams; Green's functions; Born approximation; propagation and scattering in moving, periodic, and random media. Only one of the following may be counted Electrical Engineering 384N (Topic 8), Mechanical Engineering 384N (Topic 8), or 397 (Topic: Wave Phenomena).
M E 384Q. Design of Control Systems.
Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and Mechanical Engineering 364L or the equivalent.
Topic 1: Introduction to Modern Control. State variable methods, eigenvalues, and response modes; controllability, observability, and stability; calculus of variations; optimal control; Pontryagin maximum principle; control of regulator and tracking servomechanisms; Hamilton-Jacobi, dynamic programming; deterministic observers, Kalman filter; discrete and continuous time.
Topic 2: Nonlinear Control Systems. State space formulation; stability criteria; Liapunov functions; describing functions; signal stabilization; Popov and circle criteria for design.
Topic 3: Time-Series Modeling, Analysis, and Control. Same as Operations Research and Industrial Engineering 390R (Topic 3: Time-Series Modeling, Analysis, and Control). Methods for analytical modeling, analysis, prediction, and control of linear, stationary time series. Includes examples of advanced research in nonstationary time-series modeling and applications in manufacturing, financial engineering, geosciences, and other areas. Students complete a project on a topic of their choice. Additional prerequisite: Graduate standing, and Mechanical Engineering 364L or the equivalent, an undergraduate calculus-based course in probability and statistics or consent of instructor.
Topic 7: Stochastic Systems, Estimation, and Control. Probability and random variables; filtering theory; stochastic calculus; stochastic control; engineering applications; linear and nonlinear systems; spectral techniques.
M E 384R. Robotics.
Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Topic 1: Robotics and Automation. Component technologies for precision machines based on dynamic modeling and motion programming: cams, linkages, planar manipulators.
Topic 2: Design of Smart Mechanisms. Design of reprogrammable multiple-degree-of-freedom architectures. The course addresses various mechanical configurations and stresses the integrated design approach to sensing/actuation/control architecture and control software. Includes design project.
Topic 3: Advanced Dynamics of Robotic Systems. Treatment in depth of the dynamics of robotic systems. Discussion of modeling, analysis, and control of conventional serial robots, in-parallel manipulators, dual arms, and legged locomotion systems.
Topic 4: Geometry of Mechanisms and Robots. Advanced topics in theoretical kinematics geometry: applications of screw system theory to the study of motion and force fields in spatial mechanisms and robotic systems; analytical and numerical schemes associated with kinematics geometry.
Topic 5: Planar Mechanism Synthesis. Design of planar mechanisms for applications that require rigid body guidance, function generation, and path generation. Graphical and analytical techniques. Computer-aided design projects.
M E 385J. Topics in Biomedical Engineering.
Three lecture hours a week for one semester, or as required by the topic. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in engineering and consent of instructor.
Topic 1: Cell and Tissue Anatomy and Physiology for Engineers. An overview of cellular biology, including functional cellular anatomy, DNA replication and the cell cycle, protein synthesis, membrane structure and function, energy metabolism, cellular homeostasis, and cell repair and death; and functional anatomy and physiology of the basic tissues.
Topic 2: Organ System Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology for Engineers. The functional anatomy and physiology of the major human organ systems; representative pathologic disorders associated with these organs. An overview of general pathologic processes, with emphasis on the influences of normal and abnormal organ anatomy, physiology, and disease on the definition and solution of biomedical engineering problems. Two lecture hours and one three-hour laboratory a week for one semester. Additional prerequisite: Mechanical Engineering 385J (Topic 1) or the equivalent.
Topic 3: Bioelectric Phenomena. Examines the physiological bases of bioelectricity and the techniques required to record bioelectric phenomena both intracellularly and extracellularly; the representation of bioelectric activity by equivalent dipoles and the volume conductor fields produced.
Topic 5: Cardiovascular Dynamics. Anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and dynamics of the cardiovascular system, with emphasis on the design and application of electrical and mechanical devices for cardiac intervention.
Topic 9: Laser-Tissue Interaction: Thermal. The thermal response of random media in interaction with laser irradiation. Calculation of the rate of heat production caused by direct absorption of the laser light, thermal damage, and ablation.
Topic 10: Biomedical Application of Transport Phenomena. Investigates radioisotopic methods for biological transport, including theory and experiments. Investigates artificial organ systems with clinical laboratory experiments to augment theory presented in lectures.
Topic 11: Biomedical Engineering Hospital Interfaces. Students gain firsthand knowledge of the instrumentation, procedures, and organization of a modern hospital. Class sessions are held in the different clinical services and laboratories of the hospital.
Topic 12: Biomedical Heat Transfer. Heat transfer in biological tissue; determination of thermodynamic and transport properties of tissue; thermal effects of blood perfusion; cryobiology; numerical modeling methods; clinical applications. Additional prerequisite: Mechanical Engineering 339, Chemical Engineering 319 (or 353), or the equivalent; consent of instructor.
Topic 13: Molecular Recognition in Biology and Biotechnology.
Topic 15: Biosignal Analysis. Theory and classification of biological signals such as EEG, EKG, and EMG. Data acquisition and analysis procedures for biological signals, including computer applications.
Topic 16: Laser-Tissue Interaction: Optical. The optical behavior of random media such as tissue in interaction with laser irradiation. Approximate transport equation methods to predict the absorption and scattering parameters of laser light inside tissue. Port-wine stain treatment; cancer treatment by photochemotherapy; and cardiovascular applications.
Topic 17: Biomedical Instrumentation II: Real-Time Computer-Based Systems. Design, testing, patient safety, electrical noise, biomedical measurement transducers, therapeutics, instrumentation electronics, and microcomputer interfaces. Several case studies are presented. Four structured laboratories and an individual project laboratory.
Topic 18: Biomedical Image Processing. Physical principles and signal processing techniques used in thermographic, ultrasonic, and radiographic imaging, including image reconstruction from projections such as CT scanning, MRI, and millimeter wave determination of temperature profiles. Additional prerequisite: Electrical Engineering 371R.
Topic 20: Network Thermodynamics in Biophysics. Modeling and simulation methods for nonlinear biological processes, including coupling across multienergy domains; practical implementation by bond graph techniques. Additional prerequisite: Mechanical Engineering 344 or consent of instructor.
Topic 22: Musculoskeletal Biomechanics. Synthesis of properties of the musculotendon and skeletal systems to construct detailed computer models that quantify human performance and muscular coordination. Prerequisite: For kinesiology majors, Mathematics 341 and Kinesiology 395 (Topic 36: Biomechanics of Human Movement).
Topic 23: Optical Spectroscopy. Measurement and interpretation of spectra: steady-state and time-resolved absorption, fluorescence, phosphorescence, and Raman spectroscopy in the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared portions of the spectrum.
Topic 24: Rehabilitation Engineering. Same as Biomedical Engineering 384J (Topic 8). Explores use of robotic devices in physical therapy for neuromuscular injury. Clinicians lecture each week on a specific malady, followed by critical review of the literature of that malady from the perspective of rehabilitation engineering. Shadows therapists and develops a prototype of a device for therapy, assistance or diagnosis of patients, or conducts an experiment to test a hypothesis in the field using a device. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Biomedical Engineering 381J (Topic: Rehabilitation Engineering), 384J (Topic 8), Mechanical Engineering 385J (Topic 24), 397 (Topic: Rehabilitation Engineering).
Topic 26: Therapeutic Heating. Engineering aspects of electromagnetic fields that have therapeutic applications: diathermy (short wave, microwave, and ultrasound), electrosurgery (thermal damage processes), stimulation of excitable tissue, and electrical safety.
Topic 27: The Biotechnology Revolution and Engineering Ethics. The history and status of genetic engineering; potential applications in medicine, agriculture, and industry; ethical and social issues surrounding the engineering of biological organisms; ethics in engineering practice in physical and biological realms.
Topic 28: Noninvasive Optical Tomography. Basic principles of optical tomographic imaging of biological materials for diagnostic or therapeutic applications. Optical-based tomographic imaging techniques including photothermal, photoacoustic, and coherent methodologies.
Topic 29: Transport Processes in Biological Systems. Introduction to engineering analysis of transport phenomena in living systems, including fluid flow, heat transfer, pharmacokinetics, and membrane fluxes with clinical applications.
Topic 30: Introduction to Biomechanics. Modeling and simulation of human movement; neuromuscular control; computer applications; introduction to experimental techniques. Three lecture hours and one laboratory hour a week for one semester.
Topic 31: Biomedical Instrumentation I. Application of electrical engineering techniques to analysis and instrumentation in biological sciences: pressure, flow, temperature measurement; bioelectrical signals; pacemakers; ultrasonics; electrical safety; electrotherapeutics.
Topic 32: Projects in Biomedical Engineering. An in-depth examination of selected topics, such as optical and thermal properties of laser interaction with tissue; measurement of perfusion in the microvascular system; diagnostic imaging; interaction of living systems with electromagnetic fields; robotic surgical tools; ophthalmic instrumentation; noninvasive cardiovascular measurements. Three lecture hours and six laboratory hours a week for one semester. Additional prerequisite: Mechanical Engineering 385J (Topic 31).
Topic 33: Neurophysiology/Prosthesis Design. The structure and function of the human brain. Discussion of selected neurological diseases in conjunction with normal neurophysiology. Study of neuroprosthesis treatments and design philosophy, functional neural stimulation, and functional muscular stimulation.
Topic 34: Biopolymers and Drug/Gene Delivery. Introduction to different classes of biopolymers. Biodegradability and biocompatibility. Interaction of cells and tissues with polymers and polymeric implants; immunology of biomaterials. Applications of polymers in medicine and biology. Gene therapy and generic immunization. The use of biopolymers and drug/gene delivery in organ regeneration and tissue engineering.
Topic 35: Rehabilitation Robotics and Engineering. Explores the use of robotic devices to support the strength of patients and therapists, quantitatively diagnose impairment, and augment function. Critically review the literature in rehabilitation engineering from both robotics and scientific perspectives. Students also shadow therapists and develop a prototype of a device for therapy, assistance or diagnosis of patients, or conduct an experiment to test a hypothesis in the field using a device.
M E 385M. Applied Thermodynamics.
Restricted to Option III Mechanical Engineering Master's degree students. Addresses the design and analysis of systems in which thermodynamic processes are central to function and performance. Reviews fundamental thermodynamic concepts, such as enthalpy, entropy, exergy, 1st & 2nd law, psychrometrics and combustion. Discusses practical topics, such as system-level thermodynamic processes for automotive engines, power plants, renewable energy production and HVAC systems. Gives real-world examples to cultivate skills of solving problems with basic knowledge of thermodynamics. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and admission to the Executive ME program.
M E 386M. Modeling, Simulation, and Control of Physical Systems.
Restricted to Option III Mechanical Engineering Master's degree students. Reviews principles used to understand and model physical systems and introduces methods for building mathematical and simulation models of engineering systems. Emphasis on the development of dynamic system models for predicting the behavior or performance of systems, models for efficient data reduction or test development, models for design, and the role of models in control development. Bond graph methods are introduced especially for analysis of systems having combinations of mechanical, electrical, magnetic, electromechanical, fluid, and thermodynamic effects. Covers the role and application of physical models in development and design of feedback controllers and estimation methods. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and admission to the Executive ME program.
M E 386P. Materials Science: Fundamentals.
Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.
Topic 1: Introduction to Phase Transformations. Basics of crystal structures and phase diagrams; diffusion; solidification; solid-state phase transformations.
Topic 2: Mechanical Behavior of Materials. Elastic deformation; viscoelasticity; yielding, plastic flow, plastic instability; strengthening mechanisms; fracture, fatigue, creep; significance of mechanical properties tests. Microstructural mechanisms and macroscopic behavior of metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites.
Topic 3: Introduction to Thermodynamics of Materials. Thermodynamic properties; reactions and chemical equilibrium in gases; solutions, phase equilibria, phase diagrams, reaction equilibria; surfaces and interfaces; point defects in crystals.
Topic 4: Introduction to Solid-State Properties of Materials. Same as Electrical Engineering 396V (Topic 5: Introduction to Solid-State Properties of Materials). Introduction to the electronic, magnetic, and optical properties of materials. Solid-state properties of metals, semiconductors, and ceramics; fundamental concepts needed for the description of these properties, using an introductory-level description of the electronic structure of solids.
Topic 5: Structure of Materials. Essential crystallography of lattices and structures; symmetry; elements of diffraction and reciprocal lattices; point, line, and surface defects in crystals; crystalline interfaces; noncrystalline materials; polymers; glasses.
Topic 6: Kinetic Processes in Materials. Review of irreversible thermodynamics and rate of entropy production to define the equilibrium state of a system; derivation of mathematical expressions to describe relaxation from a constrained state to equilibrium; diffusional processes in materials; calculation of diffusion coefficients from solid-state properties; dislocations and interfaces; kinetics of phase transformations.
M E 386Q. Materials Science: Structure and Properties.
Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.
Topic 1: Theory of Materials. Periodic behavior and the periodic table; historical approach to the principles of crystal structure; complex alloy phases; some aspects of phase stability.
Topic 2: Phase Diagrams. Phase equilibria in materials systems; systematic treatment of unary, binary, and ternary phase diagrams.
Topic 3: Fracture of Structural Materials. Microscopic and macroscopic aspects of ductile and brittle fracture; fracture mechanisms and fracture prevention.
Topic 4: Physical Metallurgy of Steels. The iron-carbon system; transformations and structures of steels; properties of pearlite, bainite, and martensite; tempering; hardenability and the effect of alloying elements.
Topic 7: Composite Materials. The theory of structural composite materials, their physical and mechanical properties; processing associated with metal-ceramic-polymer composites. Additional prerequisite: Mechanical Engineering 260K (or 360K) or the equivalent, Mechanical Engineering 378K or the equivalent, or consent of instructor.
Topic 9: Crystalline and Composite Anisotropy. Mathematical analysis of anisotropic materials, including single crystals, laminate composites, and deformation-hardened metals. Topics include thermal and electrical conductivity, diffusivity, thermal expansion, elasticity, and yielding.
Topic 10: High-Temperature Materials. Theory and practice in use of materials for high-temperature structural applications; case-study considerations of actual problems and requirements; interactive process-microstructure-property relationships in materials development and applications of superalloys, intermetallics, composites, and ceramics; prospective trends.
Topic 11: Electroceramics. Bonding; crystal structures; defects; phase diagrams; glass ceramics; electrical, dielectric, magnetic, and optical ceramics.
Topic 13: Mechanical Behavior of Ceramics. Microstructure-mechanical property relationships in ceramics; principles of fracture mechanics, and static and dynamic fracture; static and cyclic fatigue; high-temperature behavior; strengthening and toughening mechanisms in monolithic ceramics; and particulate and fibrous ceramic composites.
Topic 14: Electrochemical Energy Materials. Electrochemical cells; principles of electrochemical power sources; materials for rechargeable and nonrechargeable batteries, fuel cells, and electrochemical capacitors.
Topic 16: Application Perspectives of Nanotechnology. Subjects include standard top-down and the state-of-the-art bottom-up nanofabrication, manipulation, and assembling techniques, commonly used characterization instruments; applications of nanomaterials in biochemical sensing based on electric, optical, magnetic and mechanical effects; flexible nanoelectronics; nanomanipulation and nanorobotics, applications of nanomaterials in Nanoelectromechanical System (NEMS) devices, bioMEMS, and microfluidics. Emphasis on oral and written scientific communication skills. Mechanical Engineering 386Q (Topic: Application Perspectives of Nanotechnology) and 386Q (Topic 16) may not both be counted. Additional prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.
Topic 17: Failure Analysis. Introduction to methodology of analyzing failures of engineering parts and devices. Explores a broad range of analysis, but the focus is on understanding fractography and relating this back to material and mechanics relevant to failure to determine the likely root cause(s). Lectures are primarily based on case studies and are supplemented by two hands-on class projects, one performed individually and the other larger project performed as a team project. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Mechanical Engineering 386Q.17 and 397 (Topic: Failure Analysis) may not both be counted. Additional prerequisite: Graduate standing.
M E 386R. Materials Science: Physical and Electronic Properties.
Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.
Topic 1: Localized versus Itinerant Electrons in Solids. Same as Electrical Engineering 396K (Topic 9: Localized versus Itinerant Electrons in Solids). Description of electrons, from free atoms to crystals; band theory contrasted with crystal-field theory; evolution of electronic properties on passing from magnetic insulators to normal metals, from ionic to covalent solids, from single-valent compounds to mixed-valent systems; electron-lattice interactions and phase transitions; many examples. Additional prerequisite: A semester of quantum mechanics and a semester of solid-state science or technology.
Topic 2: Localized-Electron Phenomena. Same as Electrical Engineering 396K (Topic 17: Localized-Electron Phenomena). Analysis of the variation in physical properties versus chemical composition of several groups of isostructural transition-metal compounds. Additional prerequisite: A semester of solid-state science and/or quantum mechanics.
Topic 3: Transport Properties of Transition-Metal Oxides. Electronic and ionic transport in transition-metal oxides as they relate to battery cathodes, solid oxide cells, spin electronics, thermistors, and high-temperature superconductors.
M E 386S. Materials Science: Microelectronics and Thin Films.
Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.
Topic 1: Thin Films and Interfaces. Application of thin films and interfaces in microelectronics; basic properties, deposition techniques, microstructures and defects, diffusion characteristics; materials reaction in thin films and at interfaces.
Topic 2: Metallization and Packaging. Technology requirements and trends, impact of device scaling, multilayered interconnect structures, Schottky and ohmic contacts, contact reactions, silicide properties and applications, electromigration, thermal/mechanical properties, reliability. Additional prerequisite: Mechanical Engineering 386S (Topic 1).
M E 386T. Materials Science: The Design of Technical Materials.
The process of designing a material for a specific engineering function as illustrated for various materials. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.
Topic 1: Ionic Conductors. Same as Electrical Engineering 396K (Topic 10: Ionic Conductors).
Topic 2: High-Temperature Superconductors. Same as Electrical Engineering 396K (Topic 11: High-Temperature Superconductors).
Topic 3: Catalytic Electrodes. Same as Electrical Engineering 396K (Topic 12: Catalytic Electrodes).
Topic 4: Magnetic Materials. Same as Electrical Engineering 396K (Topic 13: Magnetic Materials).
M E 387M. Applied Dynamics and Feedback Control.
Restricted to Option III Mechanical Engineering Master's degree students. Provides advanced tools for describing and controlling the motion of dynamical systems. Studies how to apply Newton's Second Law as well as Lagrange's equations to find equations of motion. Emphasis on rigid body dynamics as well as motion constraints arising in complex systems. Examines fundamental concepts in both the time and frequency domains to develop feedback controllers and thus advance from open loop simulation of dynamic systems to closed loop control. Introduces common control strategies and tools for designing and testing control systems. Uses MATLAB extensively throughout the course, and emphasizes applications to realistic systems, simulations and numerical solutions. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and admission to the Executive ME program.
M E 387Q. Materials Science: Thermodynamics and Kinetics.
Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.
Topic 1: Diffusion in Solids. Atomic mechanisms and phenomenological basis for transport by diffusion.
Topic 2: Kinetics and Phase Transformations. Nucleation and growth, spinodal decomposition, transformations in alloy systems.
Topic 3: Solidification. Liquid to solid transformations in pure materials, alloys and eutectics; applications such as zone refining, composites, and castings.
Topic 4: Corrosion. Electrode kinetics and the theory of polarization, passivity, galvanic coupling, and high temperature oxidation.
Topic 5: Thermodynamics of Materials. First and second laws, fugacity, activity, chemical equilibrium, phase diagrams, and introductory statistical concepts.
Topic 6: Statistical Thermodynamics of Materials. Quantum mechanics applied to partition functions of condensed and gaseous phases; chemical equilibria; phase transitions; and lattice statistics including the Ising model.
Topic 7: Group Theory and Phase Transformations. Symmetry principles and the associated mathematics applied to the description of condensed phases and their transformations.
M E 387R. Materials Science: Experimental Techniques.
Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Some topics may require additional laboratory hours; these are identified in the Course Schedule. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.
Topic 1: Nondestructive Testing. Acoustic emission, ultrasonic, eddy current, dye penetrant, and magnetic methods.
Topic 3: Electron Diffraction and Microscopy. Transmission electron microscopy, kinematic electron diffraction theory, reciprocal lattice, defect analyses, scanning electron microscopy.
Topic 4: Advanced Electron Microscopy Theory and Techniques. Scanning transmission electron microscopy, microanalysis techniques, dynamical diffraction theory, convergent beam diffraction.
Topic 5: Materials Characterization Techniques. Classification and selection of characterization techniques: principles and applications of diffraction, spectroscopic, quantitative chemical analysis, thermal analysis, and transport and magnetic measurement techniques.
Topic 6: High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy Techniques. Theory and practice of high-resolution phase contrast electron microscopy. Computer simulation of images and diffraction patterns.
Topic 7: Scanning Electron Microscopy. Theory and practice of scanning electron microscopy; image formation, elemental analysis, sample preparation, and electron-sample interactions. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours a week for one semester.
Topic 8: Practical Electron Microscopy. Principles, operation, and techniques of transmission electron microscopy; acquiring and interpreting imaging, diffraction, and spectroscopy information; and hands-on experience with a transmission electron microscope. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours a week for one semester.
M E 387S. Materials Processing.
Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.
Topic 2: Processing of Materials. Principles, advantages, and problems of solid, liquid, and vapor materials processes; considerations of structural alloys, ceramics, engineering polymers, and composites.
Topic 3: Powder Processing. Synthesis of powders, powder characterization, powder stabilization, consolidation of powders, sintering, densification, and grain growth.
M E 388C. Nuclear Power Engineering.
Fundamental principles of the design and analysis of nuclear systems; introduction to the physics of nuclear reactions, chain reactions, and nuclear energy generation; heat generation and conduction within nuclear systems; heat transfer and fluid flow in nuclear systems; the thermodynamics of nuclear power; the nuclear fuel cycle; and issues related to the materials aspect of reactor engineering. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
M E 388D. Nuclear Reactor Theory I.
Principle concepts in the physics of nuclear systems, including radiation, radioactive decay, and the buildup and depletion of isotopes in nuclear systems; neutron-nucleus interactions and nuclear cross sections; transport or radiation using one-group and two-group diffusion theory; and concepts of criticality and time dependent reactors. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and Mechanical Engineering 361E or the equivalent.
M E 388E. Nuclear Reactor Theory II.
Neutron-nucleus interactions and nuclear cross section calculations; transport of radiation using neutron transport theory and multigroup diffusion theory; heterogeneous reactor calculations; the kinetics of nuclear systems; perturbation theory; and the nuclear fuel cycle. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and Mechanical Engineering 361E or the equivalent.
M E 388F. Computational Methods in Radiation Transport.
Transport equation, Monte Carlo method, energy and time discretization, discrete ordinates, integral methods, and even-parity methods. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
M E 388G. Nuclear Radiation Shielding.
Radiation fields/sources; techniques in neutron and photon attenuation; transport description of radiation penetration. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
M E 388H. Nuclear Safety and Security.
Same as Operations Research and Industrial Engineering 390R (Topic 15: Nuclear Safety and Security). Probabilistic risk assessment models and nuclear arms nonproliferation, including failure classifications; failure mode, effects, and criticality analysis (FMECA); fault and event trees; and reliability block diagrams. Discussion of specific areas from the Code of Federal Regulations. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Mechanical Engineering 337G, 388H, Operations Research and Industrial Engineering 390R (Topic 15). Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and an undergraduate calculus-based course in probability and statistics or consent of instructor.
M E 388J. Neutron Interactions and Their Applications in Nuclear Science and Engineering.
The fundamental principles of neutron interactions with matter and how these interactions are used in a variety of science and engineering research areas. Includes the history of neutron research, fundamental principles, dosimetry, depth profile, radiography, activation analysis, detection, homeland security, and scattering, with a significant emphasis placed on experimental design of these neutron techniques. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Mechanical Engineering 388J and 397 (Topic: Neutron Interactions and Their Applications in Nuclear Science and Engineering) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
M E 388M. Mathematical Methods for Nuclear and Radiation Engineering.
Fundamental mathematics used in graduate studies in nuclear and radiation engineering. Topics include statistics, experimental data, propagation of error, detection limits, and differential and partial differential equations. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
M E 388N. Design of Nuclear Systems.
Integration of fluid mechanics, heat transfer, thermomechanics, and thermodynamics with reactor theory for core design. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and Mechanical Engineering 361E or the equivalent.
M E 388P. Applied Nuclear Physics.
Properties of the nucleus and its structure; binding energy and nuclear stability, and the liquid drop model of the nucleus; the shell model of the nucleus; deuteron bound-state wave function and energy, n-p scattering cross section, transition probability per unit time, and barrier transmission probability; nuclear conservation laws; the energetics and general cross section behavior in nuclear reactions; interactions of charged particles, neutrons, and gamma rays with matter; and alpha, beta, and gamma decay. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
M E 388S. Modern Trends in Nuclear and Radiation Engineering.
Facilitates presentations on research topics in nuclear and radiation engineering outside any research with techniques in proposal writing; or specialized laboratory courses. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Mechanical Engineering 388S and 397 (Topic: Modern Trends in Nuclear and Radiation Engineering) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
M E 389C. Nuclear Environmental Protection.
Ionizing radiation and its interactions with matter and living tissues; radioactive decay kinetics; external and internal dose measurement; transportation through the environment; managing radioactive waste streams; and safeguards. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Mechanical Engineering 337F and 389C may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
M E 389F. The Nuclear Fuel Cycle.
A survey of the nuclear fuel cycle, including resource acquisition, fuel enrichment and fabrication, spent fuel reprocessing and repository disposal. Nuclear fuel management and reactor physics are addressed in the context of fuel burn-up calculations. Uses cross-disciplinary tools such as cost-benefit and environmental impact analyses. Includes fuel cycles currently in use, advanced fuel cycle concepts currently being presented in the technical literature, and a group project designed to research, analyze, and document the technical, economic, and/or environmental ramifications of one of these advanced fuel cycles. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Mechanical Engineering 389F and 397 (Topic: The Nuclear Fuel Cycle) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
M E 389M. Materials Processing.
Restricted to Option III Mechanical Engineering Master's degree students. Explores the principles, advantages, and problems of solid, liquid, and vapor materials processes. Studies the considerations of structural alloys, ceramics, engineering polymers, and composites. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and admission to the Executive ME program.
M E 389Q. Nuclear and Radiation Engineering: Design of Systems.
Synthesis of engineering concepts, materials specifications, and economics in the design of nuclear systems. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and Mechanical Engineering 361E or the equivalent.
M E 390. Vehicle System Dynamics and Controls.
Fundamentals of ground vehicle dynamics, tire-road mechanics, vehicle control systems, vehicle stability, and simulation of vehicle systems. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Mechanical Engineering 360, 379M (Topic: Vehicle System Dynamics and Controls), 390, 397 (Topic: Vehicle System Dynamics and Controls). Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
M E 390C. Cyber Vehicle Systems.
Study of the engineering principles of autonomous mobile robots. Subjects include understanding the dynamics of vehicle systems, and the principles and practical implementation of sensing, actuation, and control. Emphasis will be given to providing practical laboratory study of these subjects using mobile robot platforms, and the use of the commercial software package LabVIEW for programming of real-time data acquisition and control targets. Simulation studies may also be conducted in LabVIEW and/or the Matlab environment; some proficiency in use of both of these software packages is expected. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Only one of the following may be counted: Mechanical Engineering 360, 379M (Topic: Cyber Vehicle Systems), 390C, 397 (Topic: Cyber Vehicle Systems). Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
M E 390F. Nuclear Analysis Techniques.
Thermal and fast neutron activation, scintillation and solid-state detectors, beta and gamma spectrometry, coincidence techniques. Two lecture hours and one and one-half laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
M E 390G. Nuclear Engineering Laboratory.
Experiments using the TRIGA reactor and a subcritical assembly; measurement of reactor characteristics and operational parameters. Two lecture hours and one and one-half laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
M E 390M. The Enterprise of Technology.
Restricted to Option III Mechanical Engineering Master's degree students. Uses early stage technologies to create new and original commercialization plans which include the best first market, establishing technology features in that market, and estimated benefits and costs to deliver a future product to a customer. Includes in-person market research, a written semester journal, and engagement with multiple projects. Reviews later stages of technology entrepreneurship; includes forming a new company, building a business plan, building a team, getting funding, and scale up to manufacturing. Emphasis on gaining proficient knowledge on intellectual property protection and strategy, and the steps and processes necessary to the successful design and manufacture of a product or service. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and admission to the Executive ME program.
M E 390N. Health Physics Laboratory.
The application of radiation and radiation protection instrumentation. Includes personnel monitoring; radiation detection systems; gamma-ray spectroscopy; determination of environmental radiation; counting statistics; and gamma and neutron shielding. One lecture hour and three laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
M E 390T. Nuclear and Radiochemistry.
Theory and application of nuclear and radiochemistry, including alpha, beta, and gamma ray processes; fission products; statistics; solvent extraction; absorption and teaching techniques; various counting methods; and radiation protection. One lecture hour and three laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
M E 391M. Introduction to Manufacturing Systems.
Restricted to Option III Mechanical Engineering Master's degree students. With an emphasis on continuous flow manufacturing, provides the knowledge and skill set to analyze and design production systems to decrease manufacturing costs, decrease defects, and shorten delivery time by reducing process cycle times. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and admission to the Executive ME program.
M E 391R. Artificial Intelligence Programming for Engineers.
Provides a working knowledge of LISP and compares it with PROLOG; use of the Texas Instruments Explorer, and artificial intelligence techniques applied to engineering problems. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.
M E 392C. Design Optimization and Automation.
Optimization in mechanical design, including monotonicity analysis, gradient-based constrained optimization, tree-searching, and stochastic approaches. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and proficiency in C or MATLAB.
M E 392G. Computer Graphics and Computer-Aided Design.
Studies in computer graphics and its application to design. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Topic 1: Introduction to Computer Graphics. Two- and three-dimensional transformations, projections, and the graphics pipeline; fundamental algorithms for wire frame and hidden surface image generation; interactive techniques, geometric modeling, and realistic rendering using a standard graphics library. Additional prerequisite: Proficiency in C or C++.
Topic 2: Computer-Aided Geometric Design. Introduction to techniques for representing geometry for computer-aided engineering design. Two- and three-dimensional curve formulations, techniques from algebraic and vector geometry, implicit versus parametric definitions; and free-form surface formulation and solid modeling. Additional prerequisite: Proficiency in C or C++.
Topic 3: Advanced Computer-Aided Design Applications. Hardware and software for computer-aided design systems. Display devices, multidimensional graphics, optimization, use of artificial intelligence.
Topic 4: Advanced Topics in Computer-Aided Design. Detailed execution of an independent computer-aided design project. Projects require significant development and emphasize application of techniques from computer-aided engineering and interactive computer graphics. Lectures deal with the subject matter of the projects. Additional prerequisite: Mechanical Engineering 352K, 392G (Topic 1), or 392G (Topic 2); and consent of instructor.
M E 392M. Advanced Mechanical Design.
Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.
Topic 1: Analytical Techniques in Mechanical Design. Analytical techniques and some computational techniques for the advanced stress and strength analysis of machine components and mechanical structures.
Topic 3: Advanced Design of Machine Elements. Review of basic machine elements, properties, and stresses; fluid couplings and torque converters; thermal stresses, relaxation, and beneficial residual stressing; shells and rotors; plasticity.
Topic 6: Engineering Design Theory and Mathematical Techniques. Design history and philosophy. Survey of current research areas in design theory, methodology, and manufacturing. Tools for solving engineering system design and synthesis problems. Reverse engineering design project.
Topic 7: Product Design, Development, and Prototyping. Methodology and tools for the product development process. Functional designs based on real product needs. Product design project.
M E 392Q. Manufacturing.
Topics that cut across departmental concentrations (mechanical systems and design, metallurgy and materials engineering, operations research and industrial engineering), including design for manufacturing, manufacturing machines and manufacturing processing, and production systems. Three lecture hours a week for one semester; additional laboratory hours may be required for some topics. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Topic 1: Introduction to Manufacturing Systems. Analysis and design of production systems to decrease manufacturing costs, decrease defects, and shorten delivery time by reducing process cycle times. Emphasis is on continuous flow manufacturing. Additional prerequisite: A basic understanding of statistics.
Topic 2: Computer Fundamentals for Manufacturing Systems. Computer graphics, computer-aided design, direct numerical control, relationship between computer-aided design and manufacturing.
Topic 4: Automation and Integration of Manufacturing Systems. Integration of automated manufacturing components into a cohesive manufacturing system. Selection of automation strategy, communication and interaction between system components, economics and reliability of the resulting systems.
Topic 5: Manufacturing Processing: Unit Processes. Important unit processing operations in manufacturing: cutting, drilling, and grinding metals, ceramics, composites, and polymers. Deformation processes: forming and rolling. Laser machining.
Topic 6: Mechatronics I. Integrated use of mechanical, electrical, and computer systems for information processing and control of machines and devices. System modeling, electromechanics, sensors and actuators, basic electronics design, signal processing and conditioning, noise and its abatement, grounding and shielding, filters, and system interfacing techniques. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours a week for one semester.
Topic 7: Microcomputer Programming and Interfacing. Microcomputer architecture and programming; microcomputer system analysis; interfacing and digital control.
Topic 9: Mechatronics II. Interfacing microcomputers with sensors and actuators; hybrid (analog/digital) design; digital logic and analog circuitry; data acquisition and control; microcomputer architecture, assembly language programming; signal conditioning, filters, analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours a week for one semester.
Topic 10: Statistical Methods in Manufacturing. Same as Operations Research and Industrial Engineering 390Q (Topic 7: Statistical Methods in Manufacturing). Statistical monitoring of manufacturing processes; methods and applications of various control charts; formal design of experiments (DOE), including the statistical evaluation of main and interaction effects, as well as intelligent experimentation through reduced factorial experimental design; Taguchi's design philosophy as applied to response surface methods and gradient-based search techniques; and advanced issues in quality control and design of manufacturing systems. Additional prerequisite: Knowledge of basic probability and statistics and consent of instructor.
M E 393M. Engineering Design & Innovation.
Restricted to Option III Mechanical Engineering Master's degree students. Focuses on design methodology that includes a survey of current research in areas in design theory and methodology. Studies the tools used for solving engineering system designs and synthesis problems for application in a reverse engineering and redesign project. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and admission to the Executive ME program.
M E 394M. Topics in Mechanical Engineering.
Restricted to Option III Mechanical Engineering Master's degree students. Topics in Engineering. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and admission to the Executive ME program.
M E 395. The Enterprise of Technology.
Studies the basis for assessing emerging technologies. Describes the process of technology commercialization, including identifying marketable technologies, defining products, and matching products to markets. Also studies intellectual property protection and strategy, and the steps and processes necessary to the successful design and manufacture of a product or service. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Mechanical Engineering 395 and 397 (Topic: Enterprise of Technology: Laboratory to Market) may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
M E 395M. Engineering Design and Innovation with Product Design.
Restricted to students in the Executive ME program. Focuses on design methodology that includes a survey of current research in areas in design theory and methodology. Designed to help students acquire tools for solving engineering system designs and synthesis problems which they can apply in a reverse engineering and redesign project. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
M E 396D. Decision and Control of Human-Centered Robots.
Geared toward students who would like to use Python for their engineering careers with a focus on sharing and development of open source software applications. Emphasis on the important areas of system modeling, simulation, data analysis, and software/data management. Students create mini-projects in Python where they apply basic knowledge on software design and organization, debugging, open source practices, and data visualization. It is expected that students have some experience in programming and would like to advance to the next level. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Aerospace Engineering 381P (Topic 13) and Mechanical Engineering 396D may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of the graduate adviser.
M E 396M. Materials Science and Engineering.
Restricted to students in the Executive ME program. An exploration of the fundamental aspects of the relationships between processing, structure, properties and performance of engineering materials. Exploration of metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
M E 396P. Application Programming for Engineers.
Designed for students who have some experience in programming and are interested in the sharing and development of open source software applications. Provides an introduction to the Python programming language, an open source, flexible, and intuitive debug programming language, with an emphasis on system modeling, simulation, data analysis, and software/data management. Students create mini projects in Python that demonstrate software design and organization, debugging, open source practices, and data visualization. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of the graduate adviser.
M E 397. Current Studies in Engineering.
The equivalent of three class hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of the graduate adviser.
Topic 8: Energy and the Environment. Additional prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
M E 197K, 297K, 397K. Graduate Seminar.
For each semester hour of credit earned, one lecture hour a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Topic 1: Acoustics Seminar. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only.
Topic 2: Advanced Thermal/Fluid Seminar. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only.
Topic 3: Materials Engineering. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only.
Topic 4: Mechanical Systems and Design. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only.
Topic 5: Nuclear Engineering. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only.
Topic 6: Introductory Thermal/Fluid Seminar. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only.
M E 397M. Graduate Research Internship.
Research associated with enrollment in the Graduate Research Internship Program (GRIP). Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the dean of the Cockrell School of Engineering.
M E 197P, 297P, 397P. Projects in Mechanical Engineering.
Independent project carried out under the supervision of a mechanical engineering faculty member. Three, six, or nine laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.
M E 698. Thesis.
The equivalent of three lecture hours a week for two semesters. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite: For 698A, graduate standing in mechanical engineering and consent of the graduate adviser; for 698B, Mechanical Engineering 698A.
M E 398M. Introduction to Automatic Control.
Restricted to students in the Executive ME program. Gain a basic intuition for and understanding of linear feedback systems and develop the mathematical tools to understand the basics of design and analysis of single-input single-output feedback control systems. Builds on the system modeling skills developed in previous courses in order to better understand how to control a system's behavior. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
M E 198P, 398P, 698P. Engineering Teaching Practicum.
Mentored teaching experience completed by arrangement with the instructor of record for an undergraduate engineering course. May be completed in the same semester as a Teaching Assistant or Assistant Instructor assignment with additional responsibilities. For each semester hour of credit earned, the equivalent of one lecture hour a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Mechanical Engineering 397 (Topic: Curriculum Design in Engineering) and 397 (Topic: Teaching Engineering) or equivalent; and admission to the Graduate Certificate in Engineering Education Program; and consent of the graduate adviser.
M E 198Q, 398Q. Teaching Portfolio Preparation.
Project course for students completing the Graduate Certificate in Engineering Education Program to prepare a portfolio highlighting their teaching qualifications and experiences. Not recommended for students with limited teaching experience or students who are within a few years of applying for full-time employment. For each semester hour of credit earned, one lecture hour a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Consent of the graduate adviser.
M E 398R. Master's Report.
Preparation of a report to fulfill the requirement for the master's degree under the report option. The equivalent of three lecture hours a week for one semester. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in mechanical engineering and consent of the graduate adviser.
M E 398S. Assessment and Curriculum Design in Engineering.
Develop curriculum design skills in preparation for engineering faculty positions, including writing learning outcomes, assessing student learning and aligning expectations to activities and outcomes. Assessment is framed as an integrated part of course design, considers the strengths and weaknesses of a variety of quantitative and qualitative assessment strategies. Practice engineering course design and learn important considerations in coordinating department or college resources in preparation for an ABET engineering accreditation review. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Mechanical Engineering 397 (Topic: Assess & Curric Design in Engr) and 398S may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
M E 398T. Supervised Teaching in Mechanical Engineering.
Application of learning and motivation theories to learning in engineering contexts. Practice teaching in nontraditional formats. Preparation of a teaching philosophy. Teaching under close supervision, group meetings or individual consultations, and reports as required. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and appointment as a teaching assistant.
M E 399W, 699W, 999W. Dissertation.
May be repeated for credit. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy for the doctoral degree.