Courses
The listing of a course description here does not guarantee a course’s being offered in a particular semester. Please refer to the published schedule of classes on the Student Link for confirmation a class is actually being taught and for specific course meeting dates and times.
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ENG ME 734: Hybrid Systems
The course offers a detailed introduction to hybrid systems, which are dynamical systems combining continuous dynamics (modeled by differential equations) with discrete dynamics (modeled by automata). The covered topics include modeling, simulation, stability analysis, verification, and control of such systems. The course contains several applications from both natural and manmade environments, ranging from gene networks in biology, to networked embedded systems in avionics and automotive controls, and to motion planning and control in robotics. Same as ENG ME 734 and ENG SE 734. Students may not receive credits for both. -
ENG ME 740: Vision, Robotics, and Planning
Methodologies required for constructing and operating intelligent mechanisms. Comprehensive introduction to robot kinematics for motion planning. Dynamics and control of mechanical systems. Formal treatment of differential relationships for understanding the control of forces and torques at the end effector. Discussion of robot vision and sensing and advanced topics in robot mechanics, including elastic effects and kinematic redundancy. Same as ENG SE 740. Students may not receive credits for both. -
ENG ME 760: Control of Sound and Vibration
Physical principles and multivariable control techniques involved in the active control of sound and vibration. Topics in sound control include reduction of noise in ducts, structural control to reduce acoustic radiation, and sound field control in enclosures. Vibration control for both lumped and distributed parameter systems, with examples from space structure control and active vibration isolation. Control techniques include feedback and feed forward approaches, LMS adaptive algorithms, linear quadratic regulators, and modern robust control techniques. Effects of system modeling errors and simplifications (i.e., modal truncation) are studied. Laboratory experience implementing a vibration-control scheme for a cantilever beam. -
ENG ME 761: Experimental Modal Analysis and System Identification
Fundamental concepts of modal testing; analysis of multi-degree-of-freedom systems; viscous and hysteretic damping models; proportional and non-proportional damping; receptance, mobility and inertance frequency response functions; random and transient vibrations; practical issues concerning mobility measurement techniques; modal parameter extraction in frequency domain and time domain; structural modification; effects of non-linearities on modal analysis; engineering applications. -
ENG ME 762: Nonlinear Systems and Control
Introduction to the theory and design methods of non-linear control systems. Application to robotics, vibration and noise control, fluid control, manufacturing processes, and biomedical systems. Mathematical methods based on the theory of differentiable manifolds; non-linear control techniques include feedback linearization, back-stepping, forwarding, and sliding mode control. Additional course topics will include controllability and observability, Lyapunov stability and its applications, limit cycles, input-output stability, zero dynamics, center manifold theory, perturbation theory, and averaging. Same as ENG SE 762. Students may not receive credits for both. -
ENG ME 765: Production Systems Design
Theory and applications related to the design of complex production systems. Simulation theory, stochastic modeling and control, and mathematical decomposition techniques are developed and applied hierarchically to combine production statistics estimation, operations protocol design, and capacity selections in an integrated design of complex manufacturing systems. Same as ENG SE 765. Students may nor receive credits for both. -
ENG ME 766: Advanced Scheduling Models and Methods
Emphasizes basic methodological tools and recent advances for the solution of scheduling problems in both deterministic and stochastic settings. Models considered include classical scheduling models, DEDS, neural nets, queueing models, flow control models, and linear programming models. Methods of control and analysis include optimal control, dynamic programming, fuzzy control, adaptive control, hierarchical control, genetic algorithms, simulated annealing, Lagrangian relaxation, and heavy traffic approximations. Examples and case studies focus on applications from manufacturing systems, computer and communication networks, and transportation systems. Same as ENG SE 766. Students may not receive credits for both. -
ENG ME 778: Micromachined Tranducers
The field of micro-electromechanical devices and systems (MEMS) has been growing at an exciting pace in recent years. The interdisciplinary nature of both micro-machining techniques and their applications can and does lead to exciting synergies. This course will explore the world of mostly silicon-based micro-machined transducers, i.e., micro-sensors and micro-actuators. This requires an awareness of material properties, fabrication technologies, basic structural mechanics, sensing and actuation principles, circuit and system issues, packaging, calibration, and testing. The material will be covered through a combination of lectures, case studies, individual homework assignments, and design projects carried out in teams. -
ENG ME 780: Perturbation Methods in Mechanics
Regular and singular perturbation theory. Topics taught through examples related to solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, and dynamics, and include: matched asymptotic expansions, method of multiple scales, WKB, strained coordinates, asymptotic expansion of integrals, method of averaging, exponential asymptotics, asymptotic summation, perturbation of dimension. -
ENG ME 781: Electroceramics
This course will explore the structure property relationships and phenomena in ceramic materials used in electronic, dielectric, ferroelectric, magnetic, and electrochemical applications. In particular we will discover how to functionalize a component for a particular application - a capacitor, a thermistor, actuator, or a fuel cell. Such a discovery process demands an in- depth understanding of the roles and interrelationships between the crystal structure, defect chemistry, microstructure, and texture in such materials. Statistical thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, and solid mechanics principles will be used as and when necessary in the course. The course is intended to fit in the space and act as a bridge between solid state theory where the emphasis is largely on theory and a ceramic materials course where the emphasis is largely on processing. Same as ENG MS 781. Students may not receive credits for both. -
ENG ME 785: Computer-Integrated Manufacturing
Elements of CAD/CAM systems examined with an emphasis on system integration tools, graphical programming of spatially oriented tasks, as well as automatic code generation necessary to provide the voluminous code needed to drive a factory floor. Students gain insight into the interplay between system components, interfaces, and the overall system. (Formerly ENGMN785) -
ENG ME 788: Soft Tissue Biomechanics
This course will introduce students to the mechanics of soft biological tissue. In particular, the response of the heart, vasculature, and tissue scaffolds to mechanical loads from the perspective of nonlinear solid mechanics will be studied. Constitutive models for hyperelastic materials will be adapted to biomaterials to handle mechanical characteristics such as nonlinearity, viscoelasticity, and orthotropy. Basic experimental methods, and anatomy and physiology of particular tissue types will also be introduced. Emphasis is placed on integrating the basic analytical, experimental, and computational methods for a more complete understanding of the underlying mechanobiology. Meets with ENG BE 788. Students may not receive credit for both. -
ENG ME 790: Graduate Seminar in Mechanical Engineering
Discussion of current topics in mechanical engineering. Students are expected to attend and actively participate in weekly discussion meetings. Meetings organized around presentations by invited guests who discuss their research programs, strategies, and approaches. 1 cr. P/F. Fall semester. -
ENG ME 791: Mechanical Engineering PhD Research Placement Program
Through trial placements in multiple research labs, first-year PhD students have the opportunity to become familiar with the activities of research groups that are of interest to them. It is recommended that first-year PhD students identify and complete three placements: one in the first semester of their first year and two in their second semester. These placements are intended to help students sample research activities available within Mechanical Engineering and identify the research group and faculty advisor with whom they will perform their dissertation research. Normally each placement will last up to seven weeks. VAR cr. P/F. Either sem. -
ENG ME 801: Teaching Practicum I
PhD Requirement. Assist faculty by performing teaching or teaching-related duties, such as preparing and teaching labs and discussion sections, developing teaching materials, assisting with homework preparation and grading, proctoring exams, grading exams or papers. -
ENG ME 802: Teaching Practicum II
PhD requirement. Assist faculty by performing teaching or teaching-related duties, such as preparing and teaching labs and discussion sections, developing teaching materials, assisting with homework preparation and grading, proctoring exams, grading exams or papers. -
ENG ME 810: PhD Internship in Mechanical Engineering
This course provides ME PhD students the opportunity tom include a paid internship as part of their professional training. The internship must be related to the student's area of study. International students require CPT authorization. Written summary required. Graded P/F. Prerequisite: Permission of advisor and an approved internship offer; at least two complete semesters in the ME PhD program. Full-time (30-40 hours/week for at least 12 weeks) = 4 credits; part-time (15-20 hours/week for at least 12 weeks) = 2 credits. -
ENG ME 900: PhD Research
Participation in a research project under the direction of a faculty advisor leading to the preparation and defense of a PhD prospectus. -
ENG ME 951: Independent Study
Graduate students may study, under a faculty member's supervision, subjects not covered in a regularly offered course. Final report and/or written examination normally required. -
ENG ME 952: Mentored Proj

