Engineering Core

• ENG EK 100: Freshman Advising Seminar
  This first-year experience course introduces students to Boston University,the College of Engineering, and the field of engineering. Students meet with faculty and student advisors and attend lectures to broaden their knowledge of the inner workings of the College and to gain a better understanding of engineering as a discipline and the ethical responsibilities of an engineer. Includes academic policies and special programs along with support services.
• ENG EK 103: Computational Linear Algebra
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: ENG EK 122.
  This is a course on understanding, manipulating, and applying linear systems of equations and, more broadly, linear relationships between variables. The ideas and tools you will learn are immensely useful in a wide variety of application domains, including physics, engineering, big data, data visualization, and more. You will become familiar with vectors and matrices, linear systems of equations, vector spaces, inner products, eigenvectors and eigenvalues and the more general singular values. You will also learn to interpret matrices as linear transformations and to understand the geometrical interpretation for operations such as solving linear systems of equations and least-squares fitting of data to models. Throughout the course, the tools will be related to specific applications to show how linear algebra is used to solve real-world problems. Examples include Google's PageRank algorithm, cryptography, coding theory, genetics, bioinformatics, image compression, linear programming (optimization), networks, and Markov chains. Cannot be taken for credit in addition to CAS MA 142.
• ENG EK 121: Introduction to Programming
  Introduction to programming, data science, and software development for engineers using Python. Data and types. Operators, calculations, selection, looping. Data structures. Organizing software: functions, classes, modules, and libraries. Debugging and software development tools. Software design examples for engineering and data science.
• ENG EK 122: Programming for Engineers
  Prereq: ENG EK 121. Continuation of ENG EK 121. Reinforces programming concepts using a modern computational environment, in order to solve engineering problems. Basic procedural programming concepts that are reinforced include input/output, selection, looping, functions, data structures (arrays, strings, structures). Introduction to object-oriented programming concepts and terminology and event-driven programming. Applications include image processing, data science, and machine learning. Emphasis on programming style, debugging, top-down design and modular code. Effective Fall 2023, this course fulfills a single unit in the following Creativity/Innovation.
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  • Creativity/Innovation
• ENG EK 131: Introduction to Engineering: Hands On
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: Freshman standing or consent of instructor
  This course introduces freshmen to a set of design-oriented engineering skills through a hands-on experience using engineering tools (software and hardware) for design and prototyping. Students will be exposed to a number of mechanical and electrical engineering tools applicable to 3D visualization, building structures, designing and wiring circuits, prototyping and instrumentation. Students will work individually and in teams to build substructures that can be integrated into a functional device (final product).
• ENG EK 210: Introduction to Engineering Design
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: ENG EK 131; ENG EK 131 and Sophomore standing or consent of instructor.
  A two-credit introductory course to the principles of engineering design, intended to give second- year undergraduates a basic understanding of the process of taking a product from client explanation to design concept through product deployment. Students will work in teams with time and budget constraints on societally meaningful projects. Web-based lectures will cover topics concurrent with specific phases of the projects. The course will culminate in a "Design Showcase." Restricted to ENG sophomores - others only by consent of instructor. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Teamwork/Collaboration.
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  • Teamwork/Collaboration
• ENG EK 225: Introduction to Energy Conversion and Environmental Engineering
  This class examines the existing state of the world's energy use and its impact on society and the planet. A quantitative framework is provided in order to evaluate current and potential technologies. Individual energy generation, conversion, and end use options are evaluated within this framework. Both renewable energy generation technologies: wind, solar, biomass, and hydro, and conventional sources such as nuclear and fossil fuels will be compared. Energy conversion is discussed with regards to batteries and fuel cells, liquid bio- fuels, and grid level storage systems. These technologies are then put into a social context and their use around the world is discussed. Evaluations are based on homework and class discussions, midterms, and a final. Cannot be used for credit towards an engineering degree.
• ENG EK 301: Engineering Mechanics I
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS PY 211.
  Undergraduate Corequisites: CAS MA 225; ENGEK122/EK125
  Graduate Prerequisites: MET PY 211 or CAS PY 251.
  Graduate Corequisites: MET MA 225.
  Fundamental statics of particles, rigid bodies, trusses, frames, and virtual work. Distributed forces, uni-axial stress and strain, shear and bending moment diagrams. Application of vector analysis and introduction to engineering design. Includes design project. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Creativity/Innovation, Critical Thinking.
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  • Critical Thinking
  • Creativity/Innovation
• ENG EK 307: Electric Circuits
  Undergraduate Corequisites: CAS PY 212
  Introduction to electric circuit analysis and design; voltage, current, and power, circuit laws and theorems; element I-V curves, linear and nonlinear circuit concepts; operational amplifier circuits; transient response of capacitor and inductor circuits, sinusoidal-steady-state response, frequency response, transfer functions; Includes design-oriented laboratory.
• ENG EK 335: Introduction to Environmental Engineering
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS CH 131 and CAS MA 124; or equivalent. Sophomore standing.
  Undergraduate Corequisites: ENG ME 304 ; ENG ME 306 ; ENG ME 303.
  This course provides a technical introduction to a wide range of environmental engineering topics to quantitatively understand and analyze environmental problems. Topics covered include mass and energy balance for analyzing environmental engineering concepts, population growth, models for resource consumption and risk analysis, energy systems, air pollution and prevention strategies, water quality assessment and supply issues, drinking and waste water treatment, solid waste treatment and management strategies, and resource recovery and recycling. Relevant existing laws and regulations are also reviewed in the context of the topics covered.
• ENG EK 341: Advanced MATLAB Applications Programming
  Programming applications for students who have learned programming constructs using MATLAB. Topics include Object Oriented Programming, user-defined classes, graphics primitives, Graphical User Interfaces, event-driven programming, sound and image processing, use of API keys to transfer data to and from websites.
• ENG EK 381: Probability, Statistics, and Data Science for Engineers
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: ENG EK 103 and CAS MA 225.
  Provides a strong foundation in probability and an introduction to statistics and machine learning. Includes experience with translating engineering problems into probabilistic models, and working with these models analytically and algorithmically. Prepares students for upper-level electives that use probabilistic reasoning. Cannot be taken for credit in addition to ENG ME 366, CAS MA 381 or CAS MA 581. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning II, Critical Thinking.
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  • Quantitative Reasoning II
  • Critical Thinking
• ENG EK 408: Introduction to Clean energy Generation and Storage Technologies
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS MA 226 and CAS CH 131; CAS PY313 preferred
  Undergraduate Corequisites: ENG EK 307 and ENG ME 304.
  This course covers a wide variety of modern energy generation and storage technologies. The engineering principles that govern thermomechanical, thermoelectric,photvotaic and elctrochemical energy conversion processes will be discussed along with the challenges of hydrogen storage and hybrid batteries. The consequences of using renewable energy resources such as solar, hydrogen, biomass, geothermal, hydro, and wind versus non-renewable fossil fuels and nuclear resources will also be covered.
• ENG EK 424: Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: ENG EK 381 ; CAS MA 226 ; CAS CH 102 ; CAS PY 212.
  Fundamental laws of thermodynamics and their application to mechanical and chemical processes. Energy, entropy, and kinetic theory. Chemical equilibrium and thermodynamic potentials. Phase transitions and colligative properties. Introduction to statistical thermodynamics. Problems of biomedical interest will be emphasized.
• ENG EK 451: Dresden Progrm
  
• ENG EK 481: Introduction to Nanotechnology
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: Junior or Senior standing (or permission of instructor)
  Nanotechnology encompasses the understanding and manipulation of matter with at least one characteristic dimension measured in nanometers with novel, size-dependent physical properties as a result. This course explores the electronic, mechanical and optical properties of material at the nanoscale and their applications in nano-scale devices. Wave-mechanics and wave optics are reviewed and used to understand confinement and energy quantization. The parallels of confined light, mechanical and electron waves are emphasized in terms of resonator physics, and normal modes, resonances and quality factors are disussed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The different energy dispersion of light and electrons are introduced to relate energy and wavelength. Nano-devices, such as nano-resonators and nano- biosensors, and their applications are discussed. Fabrication using top- down and bottom-up methods are discussed, as well as characterization using scanning probe methods, electron microscopy, and spectroscopic techniques. In the labs, students will build digital microfluidics chips, and synthesize plasmonic nanoparticles and quantum dots. The students will use scattering and spectroscopy to characterize the novel optical properties emerging at the nanoscale.
• ENG EK 497: Undergraduate Part-Time Internship
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: Approval by your faculty advisor and the Engineering Career Development Office.
  This course helps students integrate classroom theory with actual engineering experience. Under professional supervision, students gain firsthand knowledge about the engineering environment by working in a paid, part-time position in private industry, a governmental agency, or research or medical facility. Part- time position = 15-20 hours per week for at least 10 weeks, and less than 300 hours total per academic term. To maintain status as a full-time student, must be registered for 8-11 credits. Registration for 12 or more credits requires written approval of your faculty advisor. International students must have CPT authorization to register for this course. 0 cr. Pass/Fail. May be taken fall, spring, or summer term.
• ENG EK 498: Undergraduate Internship
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: Approval by your faculty advisor and the Engineering Career Development Office.
  Students register upon receiving an internship position. This course helps students integrate classroom theory with actual engineering experience. Under professional supervision, students gain firsthand knowledge about the engineering environment by working in a paid, full-time position in private industry, a governmental agency, or research or medical facility. Full-time position = 30-40 hours per week for at least 10 weeks per academic term (minimum 300 hours total per academic term). International students must have CPT authorization to register for this course. 0 cr. Pass/Fail. May be taken fall, spring, or summer term.
• ENG EK 500: Probability with Statistical Applications
  Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS MA 226.
  A first course in probability, random processes, and statistics for students with a level of mathematical maturity and experience comparable to that normally found in entering graduate students. Sample spaces, probability measures, random variables, expectation, applications of transform methods, stochastic convergence and limit theorems, second order statistics, introduction to random processes, estimation, filtering, and elementary hypothesis testing. May not be taken for credit in addition to ENG EC 381 or ENG ME 308.
• ENG EK 501: Mathematical Methods I: Linear Algebra and Complex Analysis
  Introduction to basic applied mathematics for science and engineering, emphasizing practical methods and unifying geometrical concepts. Topics include linear algebra for real and complex matrices. Quadratic forms, Lagrange multipliers and elementary properties of the rotation group. Vector differential and integral calculus. Complex function theory, singularities and multi-valued functions, contour integration and series expansions. Fourier and Laplace transforms. Elementary methods for solving ordinary linear differential and systems of differential equations with applications to electrical circuits and mechanical structures.