MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (ME)

Professor Stuart R. Bell, Department Head
Office: 290 Hardaway Hall

ME 110 Introduction to Mechanical Engineering. (2-0) Two hours.

An introduction to the mechanical engineering profession and typical design tools used. Coverage of selected technical topics useful in mechanical engineering. Students learn the importance of teaming and communication skills. Introduction to graphical communication with sketching.

ME 215 Thermodynamics I. (3-0) Three hours.

Prerequisite: MATH 227.

Properties of matter; processes in fluids; zeroth; first and second laws; irreversibility.

ME 283 Modern Manufacturing Laboratory. (0-4) One hour.

Prerequisite: DR 133.

Corequisites: ESM 250, MTE 271, and ME 383.

Operational experience with manual and computer-controlled machining operations. Interaction with machinist technology students in the design and fabrication of a machine part.

ME 305 Thermodynamics II. (3-0) Three hours.

Prerequisite: ME 215.

Corequisite: MATH 238.

Thermodynamic cycle analysis; Maxwell relations and development of thermodynamic properties; and thermodynamics of non-reacting and reacting mixtures and chemical equilibrium.

ME 308 Propulsion Systems. (3-0) Three hours.

Prerequisite: ME 305.

Basic propulsion dynamics, thermodynamics of fluid flow, combustion kinetics, air-breathing engines, rockets, design criteria, performance, and advanced propulsion systems.

ME 309 Heat Transfer. (3-0) Three hours.

Prerequisite: ME 215.

Corequisite: ESM 311.

Steady and unsteady conduction, convection, and radiation heat transfer.

ME 313 Theory and Design of Compressible Flow Systems. (3-0) Three hours.

Prerequisites: ME 215 and ESM 311.

Fundamentals of one-dimensional compressible flow including nozzles, friction and heating effects, shock waves, and expansion waves. Application of the basic theory in a design project.

ME 349 Engineering Analysis. (3-0) Three hours.

Prerequisites: GES 126 and MATH 238.

Elements of statistics, matrix algebra, numerical analysis, and partial differential equations applied to engineering problems; includes extensive computer applications.

ME 350 Static Machine Components. (3-0) Three hours.

Prerequisites: ESM 250, ESM 251, and DR 133.

Corequisite: MTE 271.

The analysis of stresses of machine elements and the topics of fatigue strength, wear, and failure criteria. Also includes the design of fasteners covering both bolted and welded joints.

ME 360 Control and Instrumentation Components. (2-3) Three hours.

Prerequisites: ECE 320 (or ECE 225), ESM 250, and ME 110.

Introduction to selection and use of electrical, pneumatic, and other components of mechanical system instrumentation and control. Specific components include modern electrical measurement devices, signal conditioning, force and torque measurement, proximity sensors, AC and DC motors, etc. Writing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.

ME 372 Dynamic Systems (also AE 372). (3-0) Three hours.

Prerequisites: MATH 238, ESM 264, and ECE 320 (or ECE 225).

Corequisite: ME 349.

An introduction to the modeling, analysis, and control of dynamic systems. The course takes the student from initial modeling through analysis of the system response and finally into the control of the system. Specific systems include mechanical devices, electrical circuits, and electromechanical systems.

ME 377 Noise Control. (3-0) Three hours.

Prerequisites: MATH 238, PH 106, and junior or senior standing in the College of Engineering.

Physical properties of noise; hearing and noise criteria measurement techniques; and noise-control fundamentals applied to practical problems.

ME 383 Modern Manufacturing Practices. (2-0) Two hours.

Prerequisite: DR 133.

Corequisites: ESM 250, MTE 271, and ME 283.

A survey of classical and modern manufacturing processes. Emphasis is on the selection of materials and manufacturing processes to meet design goals and for manufacturing ease. Students design and oversee the manufacturing of a part.

ME 406 Thermal Power Systems. (3-0) Three hours.

Prerequisite: ME 305.

Study of thermal systems emphasizing large power generation systems. Topics include Rankine and gas turbine cycles, fossil fuels combustion, boiler characteristics, cogeneration, combined cycle plants, environmental effects of power generation, and alternative energy concepts.

ME 407 Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning. (3-0) Three hours.

Prerequisite: ME 309.

Fundamentals and practice associated with heating, ventilating, and air conditioning; study of heat and moisture flow in structures, energy consumption, human comfort and health; and design of practical systems.

ME 409 Numerical Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow. (3-0) Three hours.

Prerequisites: ESM 311, ME 309, and ME 349; or CHE 253 and CHE 306.

Theory and practice of computational heat transfer; finite volume method for simulating fluid flow and heat transfer; computer graphics as a means of interpreting results of computation; and design applications of numerical heat transfer.

ME 411 Finite-Element Analysis in Heat Transfer. (3-0) Three hours.

Prerequisites: ME 309, ESM 311, and ME 349; or MTE 353.

The course focuses on the utilization of existing commercially available finite-element computer codes for analysis of conduction and convective heat transfer processes. Computer codes currently available on the College of Engineering network are used.

ME 415 Energy Systems Design. (2-0) Two hours.

Prerequisites: ME 309 and ESM 311.

Techniques of analysis and design of energy systems, including piping networks, heat exchangers, and prime movers. Emphasis is on modeling and computational solutions.

ME 416 Energy Conservation and Management. (3-0) Three hours.

Prerequisites: ME 309; ME 305; and ECE 320 or ECE 225.

Analysis of energy systems, including fossil fuels, steam, cogeneration, waste heat recovery, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, control, and energy-management systems. Topics include conservation in electrical load, lighting, building envelope, and insulation; alternative energy sources; economic analysis; energy auditing; and fuel sources and supplies.

ME 417 Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning System Design. (2-3) Three hours.

Prerequisite: ME 407 or ME 416.

Design of conventional and unconventional environmental systems: air-conditioning, heating, refrigeration, control systems, and thermal storage.

ME 418 Combustion Engines. (2-3) Three hours.

Prerequisite: ME 305.

Theory, design, and performance of combustion engines; fuels, oxidants, and propellants; and combustion, dissociation, ionization, and engine emissions.

ME 441 Introduction to Biomedical Engineering. (3-0) Three hours.

Prerequisites: MATH 238, PH 106, and either ESM 201 or ESM 361.

Introduction to the relationship between engineering and medicine. Modeling musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems. Review of medical devices such as non-invasive imaging devices, biopotential electrodes and amplifiers, and assistive technology.

ME 450 Dynamic Machine Components. (3-0) Three hours.

Prerequisites: ESM 264 and ME 350.

This course covers the selection and application of machine elements in dynamic systems. Specific components covered include transmission elements (gears and pulleys), mechanisms (linkages and cams), shafting, bearing systems, and prime movers.

ME 460 Thermal Systems Instrumentation. (2-3) Three hours.

Prerequisite: ME 360.

Corequisite: ME 415.

Selection and use of pressure, temperature, fluid flow, and heat transfer instrumentation. Hands-on experiences with fluid flow, heat transfer, refrigeration, and heat engine equipment. Statistical design of experiments. Writing proficiency is required for a passing grade in this course.

ME 464 Mechanization of Automated Systems. (3-0) Three hours.

Prerequisite: ME 360.

Emphasis is on the design of mechanisms and mechanical devices used in automatic machines and robotic systems: synthesis procedures for designing component devices, spatial mechanisms, motion programming, and computer-controlled mechanisms.

ME 465 Introduction to Automated Manufacturing Systems. (2-3) Three hours.

Prerequisite: ME 372.

Fundamental concepts of design, analysis, and simulation associated with industrial robotic systems. Introduction to and application of interactive computer analysis and computer graphics techniques. Topics include robot kinematics and dynamics, the inverse kinematics problem, interactive computer graphics and numerical integration techniques, and robot motion planning and trajectory specification.

ME 466 Computer Graphics and Automated Manufacturing. (3-0) Three hours.

Prerequisite: Junior standing in the College of Engineering or permission of the instructor.

Introduction to the application of high-resolution, three-dimensional graphics in mechanical engineering. Topics include animation of mechanical systems and solid modeling software.

ME 470 Mechanical Vibrations (also ESM 470). (3-0) Three hours.

Prerequisites: ME 372 and ESM 250.

Free and forced vibrations, both undamped and damped; and systems with many degrees of freedom formulated and analyzed by matrix methods. Experimental techniques of vibration measurement are introduced.

ME 471 Fundamentals of Acoustics. (3-0) Three hours.

Prerequisites: MATH 238, PH 106, and either ECE 320 or ECE 225.

Fundamental physical principles underlying wave propagation and resonance in mechanical systems. Introduces applications and provides experience in acoustic and audio measurements and the associated instrumentation.

ME 475 Control Systems Analysis. (3-0) Three hours.

Prerequisites: ME 349 and ME 372.

Classical and modern feedback-control system analysis; and block diagrams, state variables, stability, root locus, and computerized analysis. Includes an introduction to modern control techniques.

ME 476 Machine Servo Systems. (3-0) Three hours.

Prerequisite: ME 372 or permission of the instructor.

Corequisite: ME 475 or equivalent.

Hardware and software of machine servo systems with emphasis on the selection of components and integration into working systems. Hands-on experience with servo actuator systems in the laboratories.

ME 484 Introduction to the Finite-Element Method. (3-0) Three hours.

Prerequisite: ME 350, CE 331, AE 341, or graduate student standing.

Use of a commercial finite-element analysis program to perform linear static analyses in the presence of applied loads and thermal conditions. Emphasis is on applications using finite-element analysis programs as engineering tools.

ME 485 Introduction to Computer-Aided Design (also ESM 485). (3-0) Three hours.

Prerequisites: GES 126, ME 349, ME 372, and ESM 250.

Elements of computer-aided design including finite-element stress analysis, dynamic system simulation, and numerical optimization. Interactive computer programs are used to design mechanical systems.

ME 488 Modern Product Realization (also GES 488). (2-2) Four hours.

Prerequisites: ME 283 and ME 383.

Overview of modern thinking on product design and manufacturing enterprises, i.e., modern product realization. Students participate in an advanced design-and-build project making use of the Bevill Center for Advanced Manufacturing Technology.

ME 489 Mechanical Engineering Design I. (2-3) Three hours.

Prerequisites: Senior standing in the College of Engineering and ME 350.

Corequisite: ME 415.

Introduction to concepts and techniques of engineering design, with supporting mathematical material. Guest lecturers present professional aspects of engineering. The Capstone Design Project is begun and carried on through ME 490 (ME 489 and ME 490 are taken in consecutive semesters).

ME 490 Mechanical Engineering Design II. (0-6) Three hours.

Prerequisite: ME 489.

In this semester-long internship experience, three-student teams serve as consultants to an industrial client. Emphasis is on conducting a professional design study and preparing written and oral presentations of the proposal.

ME 491 Special Problems (Area). Variable hours.

This is a special topics lecture class or an assigned problem class. Credit is based on the amount of work undertaken.

ME 497 Mechanical Engineering Project. (0-9) One to three hours.

An individual analytical, experimental, or design project. Research on an assigned problem culminates in a required report.

ADVANCED UNDERGRADUATE/ENTRY-LEVEL GRADUATE COURSES

ME 500 Intermediate Fluid Mechanics (also AE/ESM 500). (3-0) Three hours.

Prerequisites: MATH 238, ME 215, and ESM 311.

Development and use of the integral and differential forms of the equations of continuity, momentum, and energy with ideal fluids and compressible fluids. Introduction to several advanced topics in fluid mechanics, including potential flow, boundary layer flow, and compressible flow.

ME 501 Mechanical Engineering Analysis I. (3-0) Three hours.

Prerequisites: ME 349, ME 372, and ME 309.

Analysis of mechanical engineering systems, including the presentation and application of advanced analytical techniques for continuous and discrete dynamic systems.

ME 502 Transport Phenomena. (3-0) Three hours.

Prerequisites: ME 215 and ESM 311.

Steady and transient mass, energy, and momentum transport in ideal and real substances.

ME 504 Compressible Flow Theory. (3-0) Three hours.

Prerequisite: AE 313, ME 313, or ME 503.

Theory of characteristics, axially symmetric supersonic flows, linearized theories, and similarity solutions, including application to airfoils. Hypersonic similarity is also covered.

ME 509 Intermediate Heat Transfer. (3-0) Three hours.

Prerequisites: ME 309 and ESM 311.

Intermediate treatment of conduction, convection, and radiation heat transfer.

ME 517 Controlled Environment System Design. (3-0) Three hours.

Prerequisite: ME 407 or ME 416.

This course is not open to undergraduates or to students who have earned credit for ME 417. Design and simulation of conventional and unconventional environment-control systems: heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC); thermal storage; solar geothermal; demand reduction; and measurement and control.

ME 518 Principles of Combustion I. (3-0) Three hours.

Combustion thermodynamics, flame temperature and equilibrium compositions, ignition processes, detonation and deflagration, diffusion flames, similitude, and assigned papers.

ME 550 Advanced Mechanical Design. Three hours.

Constitutive relationships, Castigliano's method, fatigue, stochastic relationships, time-dependent properties, and other advanced topics.

ME 553 Mechanical Reliability. (3-0) Three hours.

Prerequisites: ME 350 and ME 450.

Probabilistic methodology for assessing the reliability of mechanical systems at the design stage.

ME 561 Techniques in Experimental Research. (2-3) Three hours.

Prerequisite: ME 360.

Design of experimental research systems and study of instrumentation, transducers, and related electronic components. Data acquisition, error analysis, experiment planning, and proposal writing are included.

ME 562 Intermediate Dynamics (also ESM 562). Three hours.

Modeling and analysis of dynamic systems with emphasis on Newtonian and Lagrangian techniques; Hamilton's principles; and application to three-dimensional motion of rigid bodies.

ME 571 Fundamentals of Acoustics. (3-0) Three hours.

Prerequisites: MATH 238, PH 106, and either ECE 320 or ECE 225.

Fundamental physical principles underlying wave propagation and resonance in mechanical systems. Introduces applications and provides experience in acoustic and audio measurements and the associated instrumentation.

ME 577 Advanced Linear Control (also AE/ECE 577). (3-0) Three hours

Prerequisite: ECE 475.

Modern techniques for the analysis and design of linear control systems. Matrix formulation; multivariable control systems; state-variable concepts; discrete-time systems; optimization; and statistical design methods.

ME 578 Nonlinear Control Systems (also AE 578). (3-0) Three hours.

Classical and modern methods for analysis and design of nonlinear automatic control systems. State variables, phase plane, describing functions, relay control, and optimal and adaptive control systems are covered.