Fall 2007 Special Topics Courses

ENG AM 700 A1: Cardiovascular Solid Mechanics (K. Zhang)

Cardiovascular Solid Mechanics will focus on the response of the heart and blood vessels to mechanical loads from the perspective of nonlinear solid mechanics. Its primary goal is to integrate basic analytical, experimental, and computational methods to offer a more complete understanding of the underlying mechanobiology.

ENG EC 700 A1: RF/Analog IC Design - Advanced Applications (R. Knepper)

Selected topics in advanced RF/Analog integrated circuit design based on high frequency BiCMOS technology.  Topics to be covered include oversampling (Sigma Delta) A/D converters, RF phase-locked loops, low voltage RF frequency synthesizers, printed circuit board design for RF applications, antennas and signal propagation, impact of substrate noise and other mixed-signal impacts.  The course will utilize bi-weekly selected readings from the technical literature, as well as a number of RF measurement and RF design lab assignments.

ENG MN 700 A1: Hybrid Systems: Theory, Computation and Applications (C. Belta)

Hybrid systems are dynamical systems with mixed continuous dynamics (modeled by differential equations) and discrete dynamics (usually modeled by automata). Examples can be found in both natural and manmade environments, ranging from intercellular and intracellular networks in biology to networked embedded systems in avionics and automotive controls. In this class, I will present recent results in modeling, simulation, analysis, and control of such systems. The focus of the class will be on computation, and it will contain several examples from biological and robotic networks.

Audience: graduate students with interest in dynamics, controls, computation and application areas such as biochemical networks, and/or
robot networks.

Prerequisites: There are no specific prerequisites for this course. The necessary background will be provided in the class. However, a certain level of mathematical maturity is necessary, such as familiarity with linear algebra and differential equations. Background in control theory and/or automata theory is helpful, but not required.

Grading: The grade will be based on homework and final project.

Textbook: None required. Reading material will be provided in the class.