Skip to Main content

Mechanical Engineering Courses

2311 Engineering Thermodynamics (3-0). Fundamental laws of thermodynamics. Thermodynamic properties of matter, solids, liquids, gases (including ideal gases). Thermodynamic cycles and idealizations.
Prerequisite: Mathematics 2414.

3351 Measurement and Instrumentation (2-3). Fundamentals of mechanical engineering measurement instruments and theory including measurement principles, function, and application. Data acquisition, data analysis, statistical methods, and uncertainty analysis. A focus on measurement of force, stress, strain, pressure, and temperature. Analog and digital data acquisition system theory and practice.
Prerequisites: Engineering 2305, 3305, and Mathematics 3324.

3352 Computer Aided Engineering (2-3). Use of software platforms for the analysis of engineering systems. Computer programming including data structures and uses of scientific libraries. An introduction to finite element analysis and numerical methods for the solution of structural, fluid and thermal problems. LabView/arduino programming with an emphasis on data acquisition.
Prerequisites: Mathematics 3324, and either Engineering 2304 or Computer Science 1314 or 1336.

3353 Manufacturing Processes and Systems (2-2). Introduction to manufacturing processes, manufacturing equipment, and planning and control of manufacturing systems. The role of manufacturing and its relation to engineering materials design, control and its importance for society will be addressed. The course includes practical project learning experiences
Prerequisite: Engineering 3331.

3411 Heat Transfer (3-3). Fundamentals of heat transfer; conduction, convection, and radiation. Steady-state and transient conduction analysis. Lumped capacitance. Convection heat transfer for laminar and turbulent flow regimes. Radiation heat transfer between solid bodies.
Prerequisites: Mechanical Engineering 2311, Mathematics 3324, completion or concurrent enrollment in Engineering 3404. Mechanical Engineering Majors only.

3441 Mechanisms and Dynamics of Machines (3-3). Kinematic analysis of common machine elements including gear trains, cams, followers,and linkages. Kinetic analysis of machines and components; power transmission, load and stress analysis, shafts, bearings, belts,and flywheels.
Prerequisites: Engineering 2302 and Mathematics 3324.

4071 Mechanical Engineering Internship (1-6). Internship in Mechanical Engineering. Course may be repeated for up to six units total credit.
Prerequisite: Departmental permission.

4091 Independent Study (1-6). Independent study or individual research problems in Mechanical Engineering. May be repeated for a total of 12 credits.
Prerequisite: Mechanical Engineering Majors only with Junior or Senior standing. Departmental permission.

4279 Mechanical Engineering Senior Design I (1-2). Mechanical Engineering capstone experience. Engineering concepts integrated from topics taught in sequences of upper-division courses to produce practical, efficient and feasible solutions of mechanical engineering problems. Computer applications are included. Final oral and written reports are required.
Prerequisite: Senior standing within two semesters of graduation. Departmental permission.

4311 Thermal-Fluids System Design (2-2). Mechanical engineering solutions through application of thermodynamic, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer principles including the hardware, software, and instrumentation needed to implement such solutions. Focus areas may include pump selection and piping systems, HVAC, heat exchangers, power, gas, and refrigeration cycles.
Prerequisites: Engineering 3404 and Mechanical Engineering 3411, 3351.

4331 Materials Design (2-3). Mechanical engineering design considerations for materials selection, fabrication, materials design strategies, and property compatibility for industry application needs. Economic and energy factors. Composite material design. Properties and processing of metals, ceramics, elastomers, polymers, and emerging materials. Related test specifications and materials characterization for different materials.
Prerequisite: Engineering 3331; Mechanical Engineering Majors only, or Departmental permission.

4341 Machine and Power System Design (2-2). Mechanical engineering solutions through application of mechanics, mechanisms, materials, and energy/power principles including the hardware, software, and instrumentation needed to implement such solutions. Applications to multidisciplinary problems; focus upon mechanical engineering design and analysis considering energy and the transmission of power.
Prerequisites: Engineering 2332 and Mechanical Engineering 3351, 3441.

4351 Mechatronic System Design (2-2). Design, analysis, selection, and implementation of systems that combine electronics and mechanical components such as actuators and sensors with modern control and microprocessors. The course will explore the fundamentals of the mechatronics design process, microcontrollers interfacing and programming, sensors, actuators, and building robotic systems.
Prerequisites: Mechanical Engineering 3351, and either Engineering 2304 or Computer Science 1314 or 1336.

4352 Dynamical Systems (3-0). Mathematical modeling and analysis of devices and processes to understand their time-dependent behavior. This course gives an introduction to the modeling of dynamic systems (mechanical, fluid and heat transfer, electrical systems), transfer function, system responses, stability analysis, and feedback control systems along with computer analysis tools (Matlab and Simulink).
Prerequisite: Mathematics 3324; Mechanical Engineering Majors only.

4361 Design of Experiments (2-2). Use of engineering principles to verify and test engineering and mechanical equipment. Calibration of testbeds/systems and proposal of experimental protocols and procedures to gather data and address engineering problems. A strong emphasis upon written and oral communication in a technical engineering context.
Prerequisites: Engineering 2332 and Mechanical Engineering 3351, 3441.

4380 Mechanical Engineering Senior Design II (1-4). Mechanical Engineering capstone experience. Engineering concepts integrated from topics taught in sequences of upper-division courses to produce practical, efficient and feasible solutions of mechanical engineering problems. Computer applications are included. Final oral and written reports are required. Intended to be taken in the final semester.
Prerequisites: Mechanical Engineering 4279. Departmental permission.

4381 Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering (3-0). Special topics in mechanical engineering. Course may be repeated twice for credit when topics vary.
Prerequisite: Departmental permission.