MAE Undergraduate Courses, Spring Term 2009
CEE 102A/EGR 102A/MAE 102AEngineering in the Modern World(HA)Lectures and readings focus on bridges, railroads, power plants, highways, airports, harbors, automobiles, aircraft, computers, and the microchip. Historical analysis provides a basic for studying urban problems by focusing on scientific, political, ethical, and aesthetic aspects in the evolution of engineering over the past two centuries. The precepts and the papers will focus historically on engineering ideas including the social and political issues raised by these innovations and how they were shaped by society as well as how they helped shape culture.
CEE 102B/EGR 102B/MAE 102BEngineering in the Modern World(ST)Lectures and readings focus on bridges, railroads, power plants, highways, airports, harbors, automobiles, aircrafts, computers, and the microchip. The laboratory centers on the scientific analyses that are the bases for these major innovations. The experiments are modeled after those carried out by the innovators themselves, whose ideas are explored in the light of the social contexts within which they worked.
MAE 221Thermodynamics(ST)Heat and work in physical systems. Concepts of energy conversion and entropy, primarily from a macroscopic viewpoint. Thermodynamic potentials and chemical equilibrium. Applications to engines, heat pumps, and fuel cells. In the laboratory, students will carry out experiments in the fields of analog electronics and thermodynamics.
MAE 223/CEE 323Modern Solid MechanicsFundamental principles of solid mechanics: equilibrium equations, reactions, internal forces, stress, strain, Hooke's law, torsion, beam bending and deflection, and analysis of stress and deformation in simple structures. Integrates aspects of solid mechanics that have applications to mechanical and aerospace structures (engines and wings), as well as to microelectronic and biomedical devices (thin films and artificial hearts). Topics include stress concentration, fracture, plasticity, and thermal expansion. The course synthesizes descriptive observations, mathematical theories, and engineering consequences.
MAE 228/CHE 228/EGR 228Energy Solutions for the Next CenturyThis course will deal with issues of regional and global energy demands, sources, carriers, storage, current and future technologies and costs for energy conversion, and their impact on climate and the environment. Students will learn to perform objective cost-efficiency and environmental impact analyses from source to end-user on both fossil fuels (oil, coal, and natural gas), and alternative energy sources (bio-fuels, solar energy, wind, batteries, and nuclear). We will also pay particular attention to energy sources, technologies, emissions, and regulations for transportation.
MAE 228/CHE 228/EGR 228Energy Solutions for the Next CenturyThis course will deal with issues of regional and global energy demands, sources, carriers, storage, current and future technologies and costs for energy conversion, and their impact on climate and the environment. Students will learn to perform objective cost-efficiency and environmental impact analyses from source to end-user on both fossil fuels (oil, coal, and natural gas), and alternative energy sources (bio-fuels, solar energy, wind, batteries, and nuclear). We will also pay particular attention to energy sources, technologies, emissions, and regulations for transportation.
MAE 234Introduction to Bio-Fluid Mechanics(QR)An overview of the fundamental principles underlying the fluid mechanics of animal swimming and flying. The course will emphasize the importance of using dimensionless physical numbers to gain insight into the mechanisms responsible for animal locomotion in a fluid and interactions of flow with living organisms. Physiological and zoological flows will be studied. Physiological flows will examine internal flows inside living organisms. Zoological flows will concentrate on flows external to living bodies at the macroscopic and microscopic level.
MAE 244/EGR 244Biomedical Innovation and Global Health(ST)The course will focus on introductory biomedical innovation in three specific areas: Biomedical Implants; Nanotechnology and BioMEMS for Cancer Detection and Treatment; and Ceramic Water Filters for Water Purification. Topics will include basic concepts in cell and molecular biology, as well as fundamentals of materials science and bioengineering. The course will demonstrate how biomedical innovation has had an impact on global health and enterprise in the developed and the developing world.
MAE 305/EGR 305/MAT 301Mathematics in Engineering I(QR)A treatment of the theory of ordinary differential equations. The objective is to provide the student with an ability to solve standard problems in this field.
MAE 305/EGR 305/MAT 301Mathematics in Engineering I(QR)A treatment of the theory of ordinary differential equations. The objective is to provide the student with an ability to solve standard problems in this field.
MAE 321Engineering DesignFocus on engineering fundamentals, design processes and procedures. Course covers materials selection and design, machine design and innovation, and design and manufacture for a global environment. Parametric-design and finite-element simulation techniques are introduced in the computer-design laboratory. Instruction in basic and computer-based fabrication and prototyping methods is given in the manufacturing laboratory. Teams of students conduct design projects which involve the complete design cycle from concept and fundamental engineering through optimization, prototype, and test. Description continued in Other Information.
MAE 324Structure and Properties of MaterialsProvides the materials background needed to satisfy the department requirement in this area. Relates properties of metals, alloys, polymers, composite materials, semiconductors, and ceramics to their atomic level and microscopic structure. Relates special materials properties to their exploitation in advanced technology and will illustrate this with specific examples.
MAE 335Fluid DynamicsThe first half of the course deals with one-dimensional compressible flows, with special emphasis on jet propulsion applications. The second half of the course deals with aerodynamics of two and three-dimensional wings and bodies, concepts of thrust, lift and drag (frictional and lift-induced). Homework will include design problems and computational examples.
MAE 339Independent WorkStudent selects subject and advisor - defines problem to be studied and proposes work plan. A list of possible subjects of particular interest to faculty and staff members is provided. Written report and oral presentation at end of semester to faculty, staff, fellow students and guests. Independent work is intended for juniors or seniors doing only a one term project. 339 Fall Term project; 340 Spring Term project.
MAE 339DIndependent Work with DesignCourse similar to MAE 339-340. Principal difference is that the project must incorporate aspects and principals of design for a system, product, vehicle, device, apparatus, or other design element. Written report and oral presentation at end of semester to faculty, staff, fellow students and guests. Independent work with design is intended for juniors or seniors doing only a one term project. 339D Fall Term project; 340D Spring Term project.
MAE 341Space FlightThis course addresses the various concepts that form the basis of modern space flight and astronautics. The focus is on space flight analysis and planning and not hardware or spacecraft design. The topics include space flight history, orbital mechanics, orbit perturbations, near-Earth and interplanetary mission analysis, orbit determination and satellite tracking, spacecraft maneuvers and attitude control, launch and entry dynamics. Use of advanced software for the planning and analysis of space missions.
MAE 345Robotics and Intelligent SystemsThis course provides students with a working knowledge of methods for design and analysis of robotic and intelligent systems. Particular attention is given to modeling dynamic systems, measuring and controlling their behavior, and making decisions about future courses of action. Topics include system modeling and control, principles of decision-making, Monte Carlo evaluation, genetic algorithms, simulated annealing, neural networks, and expert systems.
CEE 361/MAE 325Structural Analysis&Intro to Finite ElemBasic concepts of matrix structural analysis. Direct stiffness method. Axial force member. Beam bending member. Formation of element stiffness matrix. Assembling of global stiffness matrix. Introduction of boundary conditions. Solution of linear algebraic equations. Special analysis procedures. The finite element method. Introduction and basic formulation. Plane stress and plane strain problems. Plate bending problems. The use and implementation of structural analysis and finite element computer codes using Mathlab is emphasized throughout the course.
MAE 412Microprocessors for Measurement/ControlIntroduction to microcomputers for measurement and control. This is a hardware course in the area of electro mechanical systems. Students design and build microcomputer controllers and apply them to the automation of various aspects of a model railroad.
MAE 423Heat TransferThis course will cover fundamentals of heat transfer and applications to practical problems in energy conversion and conservation, electronics, and biological systems. Emphasis will be on developing a physical and analytical understanding of conductive, convective, and radiative heat transfer, as well as design of heat exchangers and heat transfer systems involving phase change in process and energy applications. Students will develop an ability to apply governing principles and physical intuition to solve multi-mode heat transfer problems.
GEO 425/MAE 425Introduction to Physical OceanographyThe study of the oceans as a major influence on the atmosphere and the world environment. The contrasts between the properties of the upper and deep oceans; the effects of stratification; the effect of rotation; the wind-driven gyres; the thermohaline circulation.
ELE 431/EGR 431/ENV 431/MAE 431Solar Energy Conversion(QR)Principles, designs, and economics of solar conversion systems. Quantity and availability of solar energy. Physics and chemistry of solar energy conversion: solar optics; quantum processes; optical excitation; and transport of excitations, electronic, and ionic charge. Methods for conversion: photovoltaics; photoelectrochemistry; photocatalysis; photosynthesis; and solar thermal conversion. Energy collection, transport, and storage. Economics: life cycle costing; and societal value of renewable energy.
MAE 434Modern ControlThis course provides an introduction to modern state-space methods for robust control system design and analysis. Applications include controlling the performance of a variety of dynamical systems. Topics include stability, controllability and observability, state feedback control, observers and output feedback control, linear matrix inequalities, and optimal and robust control design methods.
MAE 437/EGR 437Intro to Innovation Process ManagementIn today's hypercompetitive global marketplace, innovation is the lifeblood of any business enterprise and the engine of economic growth. This course exposes students to all fundamental aspects of the technological innovation process, from idea/concept development through critical success factors to commercialization. It also covers the basic management practices required to excel--in a complex technological society--in the craft of successful innovation and prepares students to become technology-savvy entrepreneurs, leaders, executives, and/or managers of industry or government.
MAE 445/EGR 445Entrepreneurial EngineeringThis course builds on the technical foundations established in the engineering program, and extends the scope to include the business, financial, and marketing components that lead to successful entrepreneurial ventures. Students will be directly engaged in the process of identifying, creating and exploiting entrepreneurial opportunities. Entrepreneurial design will be introduced and developed. Students, working in small multidisciplinary teams, will identify, design and prototype a highly marketable, consumer product. Classic and modern market analysis, manufacture and distribution will be introduced along with business planning & finance.