Course Description

Course Descriptions

• MECE 6190 - Engineering Seminar
  This one hour seminar course is geared toward helping graduate students develop and improve their oral presentation skills and provide them with technical expertise in their field of study. The class will feature engineering presentations prepared by faculty and graduate students from various engineering disciplines and backgrounds. Students enrolled in this class will gain great oral presentation experience by presenting their work in front of an audience and by learning from other featured speakers. The experience gained from this seminar course will prove invaluable for students in their future careers. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in engineering.
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• MECE 6310 - Intermediate Engineering Analysis
  Topics include Vector Algebra, Coordinate Systems, Vector Differential Calculus, Vector Integral Calculus, Tensor Analysis and Applications, Calculus of Variations, and Variational Analysis. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in engineering.
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• MECE 6320 - Fracture Mechanics
  Development of the tools of linear and nonlinear fracture mechanics with coverage of theoretical considerations. The primary focus of the course is applications of tools to solution of practical problems in fracture prediction and failure analysis. Significant attention is paid to the phenomenology of fracture in metals, polymers, ceramics and composites. Prerequisites: MECE 2440 and MECE 3321 or equivalents.
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• MECE 6322 - Ceramic Materials Engineering
  A survey of the fundamental properties of ceramic and glass materials which are utilized in electronic, electro-optic, thermal, and mechanical systems. Includes an introduction to the manufacturing processes specific to ceramics with an emphasis on their interaction with the design process. Probabilistic design schemes for mechanical components are covered and students perform a detailed component or process design. Several laboratory demonstrations and assignments are included. Prerequisites: MECE 2440 and MECE 3321 or equivalents.
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• MECE 6323 - Polymer Processing
  Course designed to provide fundamental understanding of polymer processing techniques. The course presents information that relates the thermo-physical, mechanical and rheological properties of polymeric materials with particular processing techniques. Manufacturing polymer processes such as mixing, extrusion, injection molding, calendering, fiber spinning, and processes related to nanoreinforced polymer fabrication are studied. Prerequisites: MECE 2440 and MECE 3321 or equivalents.
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• MECE 6324 - Visoelasticity Theory
  Introduction to the mathematical theory of linear viscoelasticity with a focus on solution of real problems. Coverage of transform techniques, numerical models, design of viscoelastic components, and experimental determination of viscoelastic constitutive relations. Prerequisites: MECE 2440, MECE 3321, and MECE 3350 or equivalents.
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• MECE 6325 - Composite Structures Engineering
  The course is devoted to the theory and/or analysis of composite materials (i.e. composite laminates) and structures in particular. The principles and methods for the analysis and design of structural components, from micromechanics through macromechanics to structural analysis, are presented along with a discussion of how these theories may be used in practical design problems. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in engineering.
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• MECE 6326 - Polymer Engineering
  Introductory course designed to provide a polymer materials science background to engineering students that will enable them to design polymer components. Prerequisites: MECE 2440 and MECE 3321 or equivalents.
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• MECE 6327 - Intermediate Nanotechnology
  Course designed to introduce fundamental nanotechnology and nanoscience aspects as well as to study a variety of technologies and potential applications that fall under the nanotech umbrella. The nanotechnology revolution provides an opportunity for the students to foster creative thinking given the vast potential in the area.  Prerequisites: MECE 2440 and MECE 3321 or equivalents.
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• MECE 6328 - Spectroscopic Techniques
  Course designed to introduce students to spectroscopic techniques used in the identification of organic compounds. Techniques such as mass spectrometry, infrared, wave dispersive spectrometry, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and elemental dispersive spectroscopy will be studied. Students will have an opportunity to get practical experience in operating some of the studied techniques.  Prerequisites: MECE 2440 and MECE 3321 or equivalents.
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• MECE 6329 - Introduction to Laster Material Processing
  This course will introduce the concept of stimulated emission of radiation and its application in practical laser systems. It will demonstrate means for focusing lasers and the control of the energy produced. Additionally, the course will present applications in areas such as welding, marking, surface treatments, forming, and prototyping. Students will learn the use of lasers and their applications in laser materials processing, the principles of laser materials interaction, safety, and new applications of the laser technology to enhance current practices. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in engineering.
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• MECE 6331 - Intermediate Dynamics of Mechanical Systems
  Intermediate dynamics, including Newton-Euler, Lagrange, and Hamilton's principles; gyroscopic effects in mechanical systems; analysis of stability of systems; numerical simulation. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in engineering.
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• MECE 6332 - Intermediate Mechanical Vibrations
  An examination of linear, multi-degree of freedom and continuous vibratory systems, both conservative and non-conservative. Free and forced vibration problems using generalized coordinates are also examined. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in engineering.
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• MECE 6341 - Modeling of Physical Systems
  This course reviews principles that govern the behavior of dynamic systems and introduces lumped-parameter methods for building mathematical models and simulations of engineering systems. An energetic approach based on bond graph techniques, invented in 1959 by Henry M. Paytner, is introduced and used to model, simulate and analyze mechanical, electrical, magnetic, electromechanical, hydraulic, and thermal systems. Advanced topics include nonlinear mechanics, Lagrange's Equations, and distributed-parameter systems.  Prerequisite: MECE 3304 or equivalent.
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• MECE 6342 - Modern Control Systems
  This course is an introduction to state variable methods for design and analysis of control systems. Concepts including controllability, observability, calculus of variations, linear quadratic regulator, optimal control, Lyapunov stability criteria, and Pontryagin’s Minimum Principle are covered for discrete- and continuous-time systems. Prerequisites: MECE 3304 or MECE 6341 or equivalent.
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• MECE 6343 - Digital Control Systems
  This course presents the theory of digital control systems required to design, simulate, and implement a control strategy using computers and discrete data manipulation. The development of microprocessors, microcontrollers, and digital signalprocessors allow taking sampled data measurements of the system output and computing a feedback control signal to make decisions and generate a desired system performance. Digital control systems are highly flexible, can implement complex control strategies, and are easily reprogrammable. Analysis and design tools will be studied for the design of digital controllers. MATLAB/Simulink will be used to design and simulate the digital controllers. Prerequisites: MECE 3304 or MECE 6341 or equivalent.
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• MECE 6344 - Nonlinear Control Systems
  This course is meant to be an introduction to advanced nonlinear control methods including variable structure systems, feedback linearization, and sliding mode control. It covers methods stability analysis and controller design of nonlinear controls. The course will review such topics as phase-plane analysis and Lyapunov stability criteria, and advanced topics including adaptive control methods. Prerequisites: MECE 3304 or MECE 6341 or equivalent.
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• MECE 6360 - Advanced Mechanics of Materials
  The topics covered in this course include: theory of elasticity, principles of stress and strain, inelastic material behavior, applications of energy methods, bending and torsion of general cross-sections, curved beams, elastic and inelastic stability of columns, and flat plates. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in engineering.
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• MECE 6362 - Finite Element Analysis
  An introduction to the theory of finite element methods, with application to stress analysis, natural frequency extraction and heat transfer. Strategies for meshing and applying boundary conditions are also examined. Existing codes are used for determining finite element solutions. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in engineering.
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• MECE 6372 - Viscous Flow I
  Course is aimed towards familiarizing the student with the properties of a fluid, viscous-flow phenomena, and the fundamental equations of compressible viscous flow, such as the conservation of mass and momentum equations and the energy equation. Solutions to some of the most common Newtonian viscous-flow equations, such as the Couette and Poiseuille flows, and some unsteady duct flows, will also be explained.  Laminar boundary layers will be studied in detail. Prerequisites: MECE 3315 and MECE 3350 or equivalents.
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• MECE 6373 - Viscous Flow II
  This course is a continuation of MECE 6372 Viscous Flow I. Coverage begins with a detailed study of laminar boundary layers, a select few boundary-layer solutions and two finite-difference approaches will be presented. Stability theory and the latest engineering predictions of laminar to turbulent transition will be examined. Incompressible turbulent mean flow and turbulence modeling will be explored. Prerequisite: MECE 6372 or equivalent or instructor's permission.
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• MECE 6375 - Engineering Acoustics
  The course is designed to develop an understanding of the fundamentals of acoustics, such as traveling waves in one- and two-dimensions, the derivation and nature of the fundamental fluid acoustic equations, the phenomena associated with reflection, transmission, radiation, reception, absorption, and attenuation of sound, and the phenomena associated with cavities and waveguides, including sound propagation in pipes, resonators, and filters. Prerequisites: MECE 3315 and MECE 3350 or equivalents.
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• MECE 6384 - HVAC System Design
  Heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration are specific applications of the principles of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics to the design and analysis of systems that maintain the environmental conditions of controlled space. An emphasis is placed on the practical application of principles to the design and analysis of HVAC systems in buildings and the use of HVAC software.  Prerequisite: Graduate standing in engineering.
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• MECE 6397 - Master's Report
  Preparation of a report to fulfill the requirements for the master's degree under the report option. The equivalent of three lecture hours a week for one semester. Offered on the letter grade basis only. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in mechanical engineering and consent of the graduate adviser.
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• MECE 7300 - Master's Thesis
  Preparation of a thesis to fulfill the requirement for the master's degree under the thesis option. The equivalent of three lecture hours a week for one semester. Offered on a letter grade basis only. Prerequisites: Graduate standing in mechanical engineering and consent of the graduate adviser.
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