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Description of Mechanical Engineering Graduate Courses

MCE 501 Mechanical Engineering Analysis (4-0-4): Mathematical modeling/analysis of physical systems; boundary value problems. Fourier series and integrals; diffusion equation, Sturm-Liouville theory; Wave equation, D' Alembert's solution; Bessel and Legendre functions.

MCE 503 Modeling and Simulation of Mechatronic Systems(3-1-4): In this course, we will learn how to obtain accurate dynamics models of mechanical, thermal, electrical and mixed systems using modern tools. The Bond Graph methodology will be used, together with the latest concepts in object-oriented modeling and automatic equation generation. The course is 75% theoretical and 25% project work in the laboratory. The Mechatronics Instruction Lab is equipped with a computer-controlled, high-precision linear positioning stage, which will be used as a tool for validating a complete model obtained with the methods presented in class.

MCE 504 Continuum Mechanics (4-0-4): General discussion of Cartesian tensors. Application to the mechanics of linear and nonlinear continua. Unified analysis of stress and deformations in solids and fluids.

MCE 509 Numerical Methods in Mechanical Engineering (4-0-4): Advanced numerical methods for solving parabolic, elliptic, and hyperbolic partial differential equations; convergence and stability criteria; grid generation; special mesh systems and orthogonal coordinate systems; computer applications.

MCE 512 Advanced Vibrations I (4-0-4): Study of multi-degree-of-freedom and continuous systems; modal analysis and modal summation methods; wave equation solution for strings, rods, beams, and plates; approximate and energy method solutions; introduction to finite element solution techniques.

MCE 521 Applied Thermodynamics (4-0-4): Availability analysis (exergy); irreversibility; combustion; applications to internal and external combustion engine, vapor power, and refrigeration cycles.

MCE 544 Applied Combustion Processes (4-0-4): Review of chemical kinetics; conservation equation for multicomponent reacting systems; premixed laminar and turbulent flames.

MCE 545 Modern Controls (4-0-4): Classical design of control systems; state-space analysis; state-space design of regulator systems; linear quadratic regulator problems; optimal observer design; computer simulation of control systems.

MCE 546 Principles of Turbomachinery and Applications (4-0-4): Derivation of fluid and thermodynamic relations along with passage losses for turbo-machinery. Applications include analysis and design of axial and radial flow turbines, compressors, and pumps.

MCE 550 Advanced Dynamics (4-0-4): Lagrangian dynamics; Hamilton's and D'Alembert's principles; autonomous and nonautonomous systems; behavior of conservative and non-conservative systems; approximate solutions; perturbation methods of solution; study of damping.

MCE 565 Advanced Machine Analysis (4-0-4): Finite element analysis of stresses and deflections in complex mechanical systems under static and dynamic loading. Integrating modeling techniques with two- and three-dimensional CAD systems for inputting geometric data. Comparisons of finite element results with theoretical and empirical results.

MCE 567 Lubrication and Bearing Design (4-0-4): Study of the theoretical aspects of elastohydrodynamic, hydro­dynamic, and hydrostatic lubrication regimes. Design and analysis of bearings for industrial and aerospace applications.

MCE 580 Finite Element Analysis I (4-0-4): Introduction to calculus of variations. virtual work, complementary virtual work, potential energy, complementary energy, and Castigliano theorems; approximate methods; finite element development and applications.

MCE 603 Interfacing and Control of Mechatronic Systems (2-2-4): Prerequisite: MCE 503. In this course we will apply the modeling, simulation and model validation skills learned in the previous course to specific mechatronic sensors and actuators, as well as extended systems. A variety of sensing and actuation technologies will be explored: piesoelectric, capacitive, magnetostrictive, magneto-rheological and others. An introduction to digital control and transducer interfacing will be offered to enable sutdents to realize practical project work in the laboratory. This course is 50% theory and 50% laboratory. A descriptive introduction to micromechatronics will also be offered.

MCE 610 Computational Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer (4-0-4): Prerequisite: MCE 509. Application of advanced numerical methods to current problems in the fluid flow and heat transfer areas; internal and external incompressible and compressible flows; numerical methods for inviscid flow equations; multigrid procedure; computer applications.

MCE 618 Engineering Plasticity (4-0-4): Prerequisite: MCE 504. Yield criteria and application to elastic-plastic and rigid-plastic deformation; flow stress; plastic deformation processes; tribology; thermal effects; analysis by slab method. upper and lower bound on power, and finite element methods.

MCE 622 Energy Conversion (4-0-4): Prerequisite: MCE 521. Nuclear, solar. and chemical energy conversion techniques. Thermodynamics of power cycles and systems; thermoelectric devices; thermionic generators; MHD systems; fuel cells; photovoltaic cells.

MCE 632 Gas Dynamics (4-0-4): Pre- or co-requisite: MCE 501. Generalized one- two-and three-dimensional compressible flows, normal shocks. oblique shocks, flow with friction and heat transfer, method of characteristics, real gas effects.

MCE 638 Viscous Flow I (4-0-4): Prerequisite: MCE 501. Derivation and exact solutions of Navier-Stokes equations governing incompressible. laminar viscous flow; applications include non-steady flow. low Reynolds numbers flows, parallel flows, and laminar boundary layer; classification of fluid behavior, rheometry and viscoelastic and time-dependent properties.

MCE 639 Viscous Flow II (4-0-4): Prerequisite: MCE 638. Derivation and formulation of compressible fluid flow equations in both integral and differential forms; applications include exact solutions with and without pressure gradients; introduction to turbulence and modeling of turbulent boundary layers; laminar and turbulent flows of non-Newtonian fluids; internal and external flows; boundary layer equations for momentum and energy transport.

MCE 641 Convection Heat Transfer (4-0-4): Prerequisite: MCE 638. Convective processes involving heat, momentum, and mass transfer, and their applications. Laminar and turbulent convection heat transfer; internal and external flows.

MCE 642 Advanced Conduction Heat Transfer (4-0-4): Prerequisite: MCE 501. Heat transfer by conduction in steady, transient, and periodic states in solids for one-, two-, and three-dimensional problems; applications of various analytical and numerical methods.

MCE 643 Radiation Heat Transfer (4-0-4): Prerequisite: MCE 501. Physics of the thermal radiation process; surface properties; exchange factors and networks for heat transfer between surfaces; characteristics of emission and absorption of flames, gases, and the atmosphere; solar radiation.

MCE 644 Heat Transfer with Phase Change(4-0-4): Prerequisite: MCE 641. Heat transfer in phase change; nucleate and film boiling mechanisms; pool and forced convection boiling; two-phase flow, flow regimes, and transitions; application to cryogenics and nuclear reactors.

MCE 652 Robotics and Machine Vision (4-0-4): Prerequisite: MCE 501 or MCE 504. Analysis and design of robotic systems used in manufacturing; sensing technology; machine vision; digital image processing; image analysis; robot intelligence.

MCE 654 Computer Aided Design and Optimization (4-0-4): Prerequisite: MCE 501 or MCE 504. Optimum design problem formulation, optimum design concepts, numerical methods for unconstrained and constrained optimum designs; three-dimensional graphics techniques, non-traditional computing techniques, such as artificial neural networks and fuzzy logic, which provide a different approach in engineering design and analysis.

MCE 655 Acoustics (4-0-4): Prerequisite: MCE 501. Elements of theoretical acoustics: plane and spherical acoustic waves; transmission and absorption of acoustic waves; theory of resonators and filters; application of theory to noise problems in mechanical and air moving equipment.

MCE 660 Lubrication (4-0-4): Prerequisite: MCE 501. Hydrodynamic lubrication, self- excited instability of hydrodynamic bearings, design optimization. Hydrostatic lubrication with design optimization. Elastohydrodynamic lubrication, calculation of Hertzian contact stresses, and deformation in rolling contact bearings.

MCE 666 Advanced Control of Mechanical Systems (4-0-4): Prerequisite: MCE 503. Design and analysis of multivariable systems using state-variable techniques; introduction to system modeling, observability, controllability, stability, Z transforms, and controller design.

MCE 670 Turbomachinery Rotordynamics (4-0-4): Prerequisite: MCE 512. Introduces students to a collection of phenomena and related analysis techniques associated with the dynamics of rotating machinery, e.g., turbines, compressors, pumps, power transmission shafting, etc. Development of adequate, computationally oriented component and system models for the analysis of rotors is presented.

MCE 680 Finite Element Analysis II (4-0-4): Prerequisite: MCE 580. Study of two- and three-dimensional continua; application of finite element methods to mechanical engineering analysis and design problems.

MCE 691 Special Topics in Manufacturing Engineering (one to three credits):Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Offered via the Internet as part of the Ohio World-Class Manufacturing Consortium. Each course is assigned a different section number and title. Students must see the World-Class Manufacturing Consortium Coordinator in the Mechanical Engineering Department for permission to enroll.

MCE 693 Selected Topics In Mechanical Engineering (4-0-4): Topics of current interest to the mechanical engineering profession. Total credits in MCE 693 should not exceed eight.

MCE 696 Directed Study (one to four credits): Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Directed study of an individual problem or subject area under the supervision of a faculty member. Total credits for this course will be limited to four.

MCE 698 Master's Project in Mechanical Engineering (one to five credits):Preparation of a paper involving design and analysis or theoretical investigation of a topic in mechanical engineering approved by the department. A written report is required.

MCE 699 Master's Thesis (one to six credits): Independent investigation by the student selected from an area of mechanical engineering that results in a significant contribution to the field. This may be analytical, computational, or experimental and needs the approval of the graduate advisor and the thesis committee. A bound copy of the thesis must be submitted to the department.