Courses

ME 105. INTRODUCTION TO MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
0—2—1
Introduction to the diverse career opportunities available in Mechanical Engineering and to the ME curriculum; discussion of participation in study abroad, internships, and undergraduate research and of specific academic skills required for success; and hands-on technical projects in both the Machine Design and Energy areas.

ME 109. CAD APPLICATIONS AND SOLID MODELING
0—2—1
Selected CAD applications such as Orothographic and Isometric Design. Use of CAD to solve engineering applications and Solid Modeling Applications. Prerequisite: Proficiency in ME 102 or high school CAD credit.

ME 110. MATERIALS
2—2—3
The atomic structure and microstructure of engineering materials. Classroom and laboratory analysis of the physical properties of metallic and non-metallic compounds; ferrous, nonferrous,ceramic, polymer, and composite materials. Material stress-strain diagrams, fatigue, creep, phase diagrams and heat treatment diagrams will be emphasized.

ME 201. STATICS
3—0—3
Vector and scalar methods in the composition and resolution of forces; moments of forces; equilibrium in two or three dimensions; simple structures including trusses and frames; shear and moment in beams; distributed loads; friction; centroids and centers of gravity. Corequisite: MA 124 unless previously completed.

ME 203. PROGRAMMING TOOLS FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERS
1—2—2
Programming fundamentals and introductory instruction in the use of mathematical application software. Focus will be upon problem solving techniques and logical solution development.

ME 206. SOLID MECHANICS
3—0—3
A study of the behavior of non-rigid bodies when subjected to external tension, compression, bending, torsional loads, or combination of these loads. Development of mathematical expressions that relate external loads, member properties, and internal stresses, strains, and deflections. Includes elastic and plastic stress theory. Prerequisites: MA 124, ME 109, ME 110 and a grade of C or higher in ME 201.

ME 243/244 ME DESIGN COMPETITION PARTICIPATION
0—1—0.5
Participation in a student design team competition team for underclassmen. Prerequisite: Permission of a team adviser.

ME 255-256. SUMMER RESEARCH
0—2—1 TO 0—6—3
ME 355-356. SUMMER RESEARCH
0—2—1 TO 0—6—3
ME 455-456. SUMMER RESEARCH
0—2—1 TO 0—6—3
Offered to mechanical engineering cadets engaged in summer research. Prerequisite: Permission of department head.

ME 302. DYNAMICS
3—0—3
Vector and scalar methods in kinematics, including absolute and relative motion of particles and rigid bodies; kinetics, with solutions of rigid bodies by the methods of force, mass and acceleration, work and energy, and impulse and momentum. Prerequisite: ME 201.

ME 311. THERMODYNAMICS I
3—0—3
A study of the first and second laws of thermodynamics; basic energy concepts; the properties of liquids and vapors including enthalpy and entropy; ideal gas concepts and relationships. Prerequisite: MA 124 and ME 203.

ME 313. THERMODYNAMICS II
3—1—3.5
Gas-vapor mixtures, psychrometry and air conditioning process; real and ideal power, refrigeration, heat pump, and air compression cycles; fuels and combustion processes; energy system design and computer applications; laboratory experience to reinforce theoretical concepts to include engineering team experience and report writing. Prerequisite: A grade of C or higher in ME 331.

ME 314. FLUID MECHANICS
3—1—3.5
Elementary mechanics of fluids. fluid properties; hydrostatics; fluid kinematics; equations of motion; energy equation; momentum principles; flow of liquids and gases in closed conduits; compressible flow; principles of dimensional analysis and dynamic similitude; laboratory experience to reinforce theoretical concepts to include engineering team experience and report writing. Prerequisite: MA 124, ME 201, ME 311.

ME 321. DYNAMICS OF MACHINERY
3—0—3
Application of kinematics and dynamics to the design of mechanical components. Analysis and synthesis of the relationship between machine forces and motions. Prerequisite: ME 302.

ME 322. MECHANICAL ANALYSIS AND DESIGN
3—0—3
Review of stress and stiffness analysis. Introduction to failure theories, fatigue, finite elements, and material selection as it pertains to design of machine elements. Prerequisite: A grade of C or higher in ME 206.

ME 325. INSTRUMENTATION LABORATORY
1—2—2
Measurement of temperature, pressure, flow, strain, stress, force, velocity and displacement. Interpretation of data curve fitting, statistics. Signal conditioning, digital data acquisition, data recording. Static and dynamic systems. Prerequisite: WR 102 and ME 203.

ME 336. HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER
3—1—3.5
Fundamental principles of heat transfer by conduction, convection, and radiation are examined. Provides an introduction to mass transfer. Contains elements of design of fins and composite walls. Finite difference techniques are introduced. Includes laboratory experience to reinforce theoretical concepts to include engineering team experience and report writing. Prerequisites: ME 311 and MA 311.

ME 342. ANALYSIS AND CONTROL OF DYNAMIC SYSTEMS
3—0—3
Analysis of dynamic system in both the time and frequency domain, with application to the design of basic feedback control systems. Mechanical, electrical, thermal, and fluid systems are considered. Topics include transfer function determination, frequency response, error analysis, root locus techniques, stability analysis, linear and non-linear systems. Prerequisite: MA 311 and EE 351.

ME 343/344 ME DESIGN COMPETITION PARTICIPATION
0—1—0.5
Participation in a student design team competition team for underclassmen. Prerequisite: Permission of a team adviser.

ME 412. SOLAR ENERGY
3—0—3
A study of energy resources, consumption, policies and possible future energy scenarios of the U.S.A. and the world. The study and practices of energy conservation principles coupled to economic considerations. An in-depth investigation of Sun-Earth geometric relations and calculations of extraterrestrial and terrestrial instantaneous and long-term solar radiation on surfaces. The study of thermal characteristics of buildings related to passive and superinsulation design technologies. The analysis and design of solar systems including solar collector domestic hot water systems. A number of computer-aided design projects are assigned during the course. Prerequisites: ME 311.

ME 413. AIRCRAFT PROPULSION SYSTEMS
3—0—3
Design and analysis of atmospheric propulsion engines and systems. Thermodynamics, combustion fundamentals, turbo machinery and the aerothermodynamics of inlets, diffusers, combustors, and nozzles as related to the design of gas turbine and rocket engines and components. Matching of propulsion system to vehicle requirements. Prerequisite: ME 313.

ME 414. TURBOMACHINERY
3—0—3
Theory and performance characteristics bearing on the design of fluid dynamic machines such as centrifugal and axial flow pumps, fans, compressors, and turbines. Prerequisites: ME 314 and ME 311.

ME 415. FLIGHT MECHANICS
3—0—3
Properties of the earth’s atmosphere. Aerodynamic parameters, generation of lift, airfoils and wing theory. Boundary layer, aerodynamic drag. Aircraft performance: climb, range and endurance. Introduction to stability and control. Prerequisite: 2nd class standing or higher.

ME 416. FUNDAMENTALS OF AERODYNAMICS
3—0—3
Introduction to differential analysis of fluid motion, incompressible external inviscid flow, incompressible external viscious flow, steady one-dimensional compressible flow: Fanno Line Flow, Rayleigh Line Flow, Normal Shocks. Prerequisites: ME 311 and ME 314.

ME 417. AIRCRAFT STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS
3—0—3
Introduction to the linear, static structural behavior relating to aircraft design. Classical methods of analysis will be applied to practical problems. Prerequisites: ME 201 and ME 206.

ME 418. THERMAL ENVIRONMENT ENGINEERING
3—0—3
Analysis and synthesis of systems to produce control of the thermal environment of enclosures for human occupancy, processes of special equipment. Psychrometrics of air, heating and cooling load calculations, and systems design. Prerequisite: ME 311.

ME 419. THERMAL-FLUID SYSTEMS DESIGN
3—2—4
Application of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer to energy conversion processes. Design of engines, heat exchangers, compressors, valves, fans, blowers, vessel design, and power and refrigeration cycles. Prerequisite: ME 313, ME 314, ME 336.

ME 425. MECHANICAL DESIGN
3—2—4
Design of mechanical components subject to static and fatigue loads. Practical design and applications of materials to power screws, fasteners, springs, bearings, gears, chains, and belts. Design of power transmissions. Introduction to the finite element method. Prerequisite: ME 322.

ME 427. INTRODUCTION TO AUTOMATED MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS
2—2—3
Introduction to computer-aided manufacturing. Familiarization with standard manufacturing processes. Study of commercial CNC programming languages, CNC mill operation and CNC lathe operation, and pick-and-place robots. Extensive hands-on-operation of robots, CNC units and machinery. Open-ended design of manufacturing processes and design for manufacturability. Prerequisites: ME 110 and ME 109.

ME 431. POWER PLANT DESIGN
3—0—3
The production of power from the Rankine, Brayton, and combined cycles will be studied. Realistic cycles similar to those found in current use will be analyzed. Consideration will be given to economics, materials selection, and environmental concerns. Each cadet will perform an economic analysis on a cycle design. The use of nuclear energy as a source of thermal energy will be considered. Prerequisites: ME 313, ME 336, and ME 314.

ME 443. ME DESIGN COMPETITION
1—4—3
The first semester of a two semester sequence. A cadet team will design and build a working device in order to compete in a national design competition. This first course is intended to be coupled with ME 444 in the spring semester. Prerequisite: Permission of department head.

ME 444. MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DESIGN
1—4—3
A full-semester team-project internship. Cadets in three-person teams serve as consultants to an industrial client. Emphasis on conducting a professional-level design study, and the preparation of a verbal, plus written, report to industry. Prerequisites: ME 419 or ME 425.

ME 457. SEMINAR
0—1—0.5
Weekly seminars will cover job placement, graduate schools, ethics, design safety and preparation for the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam. Oral and written reports on engineering ethics case studies are required.

ME 458. SEMINAR
1—0—0
Weekly seminars will provide preparation for the spring Fundamentals of Engineering Exam.

ME 461. INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
0—2—1 TO 0—6—3
ME 462. INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
0—2—1 TO 0—6—3
Offered to mechanical engineering cadets engaged in research or thesis projects supervised by the faculty. Credits may be substituted for appropriate mechanical engineering courses offered in the regular session. Prerequisite: Permission of department head and faculty or senior thesis adviser.

ME 480. INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE
3—0—3
A study of reciprocating internal combustion engines; basic thermodynamic principles, compression and spark ignition engines, fuels, combustion, emissions, mechanical design considerations. Prerequisite: ME 313 Thermodynamics II.

ME 481. COMPUTATIONAL MODELING AND VIRTUAL DESIGN
3—0—3
Geometric and solid modeling for computational analysis; finite element and finite volume formulation of the conservation laws, system optimization and rapid prototyping. Focus in on designing a system, representing that system on the computer, and analyzing it using finite volume or finite element techniques. Emphasis is on the use of computer based tools for system and component design. Prerequisites: ME 109, ME 313, ME 314, ME 336 and MA 311.

ME 484. FIBER REINFORCED COMPOSITE MATERIALS
2—2—3
This course is an introduction to the analysis and design of fiber-reinforced composite materials. The course centers upon a semester-long design project. As part of this project, cadet teams first conduct a literature search to determine types of fiber materials, matrix materials and manufacturing methods currently available and present their findings and project recommendations to the class. The analysis of material response to loading for both lamina and laminates is discussed. The cadets, working in teams, then analyze, design, and fabricate a fiber-reinforced structure. Prerequisite: ME 206.

ME 485. ADVANCED MECHANICAL DESIGN
2—2—3
Extended use of the finite element method in the design of mechanical elements. Optimization techniques in mechanical design, dimensional analysis and modeling, graphical and analytical synthesis of mechanisms, and selection of motors. There will be a semester long design. The student will have the opportunity to work on a project that includes many of the mechanical elements discussed in the previous course work. Prerequisite: ME 425.

ME 489. BIOTHERMAL FLUID MECHANICS
3—0—3
This course studies transport processes in the human body. Fluid mechanics topics would include systemic circulation, microcirculation, fluid mechanic aspects of diseases, and artificial flow implants. Heat transfer applications would include micro heat transfer, hypothermia, hyperthermia and thermal lesion, and the regulation of body temperature. Also covered will be blood-gas interaction in erythrocytes, mass transfer in organs, and artificial organs for mass transfer. Prerequisite: ME 419.

ME 486-490. TOPICS IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
3—0—3
Special topics in mechanical engineering and related areas as suggested by members of the faculty and/or cadets. Subjects and content to be announced before the semester being taught. Offered as announced. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.