Mechanical Engineering Course Descriptions
MEGR 100 Introduction to Mechanical Engineering - 1 credit hour
An overview of mechanical engineering. Course includes seminars by practicing mechanical engineers who discuss day-to-day engineering and the latest advances in the industry. Typical industries represented include: aerospace, transportation, HVAC, power generation, manufacturing, medical equipment, and sports equipment. Graded CR/F. One seminar per week. (fall)
MEGR 105 Engineering Graphics and Design - 3 credit hours
Technical sketching. Isometric, orthographic, auxiliary, and sectional views. Dimensioning. Introduction to computer-aided drafting (CAD) and solid modeling. Includes design project using CAD. Co-requisite: MEGR 181. (winter, spring)
MEGR 181 Innovative Design - 2 credit hours
The design process, including performance prediction and prototype construction and testing. Includes a guided class project, team evaluation of an existing engineering design, and a major team design project. Final exam will consist of an oral presentation and performance demonstration of the team design. Prerequisite: freshman or sophomore standing. Co-requisite: MEGR 105. (winter, spring)
MEGR 210 Statics - 4 credit hours
Vector algebra. Equilibrium of forces and moments, distributed forces, hydrostatics, friction, virtual work; all applied to simple bodies. Prerequisites: MATH 135, PHYS 121. (fall, winter)
MEGR 230 Dynamics - 4 credit hours
Vectors applied to kinematics and kinetics. Particle, system of particles, and rigid bodies related to translation, rotation, plane motion, relative motion, forces, impulse-momentum, work-energy. Prerequisites: MEGR 210. (winter, spring)
MEGR 281 Engineering Methods - 4 credit hours
Modern methods using computers to solve problems encountered in mechanical and civil engineering. Examples are stress analysis and beams (numerical integration, matrix methods, systems of simultaneous equations), stability of mechanical systems and columns (differential equations). Co-rerequisites: MEGR 230, MATH 234. (fall, spring)
MEGR 291-293 Special Topics - 1-5 credit hours
MEGR 296 Directed Study - 1-5 credit hours
MEGR 304 Data Acquisition and Instrumentation - 4 credit hours
Introduction to computer based data acquisition, including D to A and A to D conversion, real time operating systems, digital filtering, sensor selection and sensor interface design. Prerequisite: MEGR 281. Pre or co-requisite: ECEGR 315. (spring)
MEGR 306 Machine Shop - 1 credit hour
Manufacturing processes including casting, welding, forging, plastics forming and metal cutting. Lab includes industry tours and hands-on machine shop projects focusing on fundamental theory and operation of precision measuring instruments, hand tools, metal lathes and CNC mills. Pre or co-requisite: MEGR 105. Prerequisite: CEEGR 221. (fall, winter, spring)
MEGR 321 Thermodynamics - 5 credit hours
Thermal properties of ideal and real gases, liquids, vapors and mixtures. Conservation of energy. Second law. Conversion of thermal energy to work. Power, efficiency, cycles, air-conditioning, compressible gas flow. (fall)
MEGR 322 Thermodynamics II - 4 credit hours
Continuation of MEGR 321. Thermodynamics applied to ideal and real cycles, internal and external combustion engines, fans, blowers, compressors, nozzles, refrigeration, air-conditioning. Second-law analysis. Design problem. Prerequisite: MEGR 321. (winter)
MEGR 324 Heat Transfer - 5 credit hours
Heat transferconduction, convection and radiation. Conduction in one and two dimensions, steady state and transient. Forced and natural convection with phase change. Radiation between two or three black and gray bodies. Heat exchangers. Includes a design problem. Prerequisite: MEGR 321. Pre-or co-requisite: CEEGR 331. (spring)
MEGR 350 Materials Science - 5 credit hours
Atomic structure. Metallic bond. Structure of metals and non-metals. Equilibrium diagrams. Time-dependent transformations. Relation of structure to properties. Elastic and plastic deformation. (fall)
MEGR 371 Machine Elements - 5 credit hours
Advanced strength of materials including combined loading, beams, columns, connection forces and stress concentrations. Introduction to statistics and reliability. Introduction to finite element analysis. Material failure including static failure theories, fracture mechanics and fatigue. Design problem. Prerequisite: CEEGR 221. (winter)
MEGR 372 Machine Elements II - 4 credit hours
Continuation of MEGR 371. Fasteners, welds, springs, bearings, gears, shafts, lubrication, clutches and brakes. Design problem. Prerequisite: MEGR 371. (spring)
MEGR 391-393 Special Topics - 1-5 credit hours
MEGR 396 Directed Study - 1-5 credit hours
MEGR 404 Experimental Design - 3 credit hours
An introduction to the application of statistics in engineering problems. Topics include point estimates, population inference using p-values and confidence intervals, type 1 and type 2 error estimates, and ANOVA analysis when applied to engineering and manufacturing problems. Applications of statistics include statistical process control, sample size selection and experiment design using a factorial design approach. Prerequisite: junior standing.
MEGR 405 Introduction to Finite Elements - 3 credit hours
Development of theory and concepts of finite element analysis. Applications in all areas of mechanical engineering, including mechanics of solids, heat transfer, fluid mechanics and design. Weekly computer exercises. Prerequisites: MEGR 371, MEGR 324, and senior standing.
MEGR 422 Energy and Environment - 3 credit hours
Overview and discussion of primary energy consumption and energy conservation techniques. Theory and design of environmentally conscious energy conversion and relevant pollution reduction technologies. Assessment of energy conversion technologies with lifecycle analysis. Design and research projects. Prerequisites: MEGR 321 and junior standing.
MEGR 423 Introduction to Combustion - 3 credit hours
An introduction to the topic of combustion. The areas of study include the thermodynamics of combustion, chemical kinetics and combustion reaction analysis, study of diffusion and premixed flames, combustion related to spark-ignited and diesel engines, and special topics of combustion including pollution reduction, instrumentation for combustion processes, and microscale combustion. Prerequisites: MEGR 321 and junior standing.
MEGR 426 Heat/Ventilation/Refrigeration - 3 credit hours
Psychometrics; space heating and cooling loads; air conditioning; fans and ducts; heat exchangers; solar systems; refrigeration. Prerequisites: MEGR 321, MEGR 324.
MEGR 430 Intermediate Dynamics - 3 credit hours
Motion analysis and modeling of systems of particles and rigid bodies in three-dimensional motion. Prerequisite: MEGR 230.
MEGR 431 Vehicle Dynamics - 3 credit hours
Application of the principles of engineering mechanics to the dynamics of ground vehicles. Familiarization with methods to analyze, predict and design for vehicle dynamic performance. Acceleration and braking performance, aerodynamics and road loads, ride, directional response, rollover. Prerequisite: MEGR 230.
MEGR 432 Mechanical Vibrations - 3 credit hours
Analysis of structural vibrations of mechanical systems. Modeling of lumped and distributed parameter systems. Topics include: single- and multi-degree of freedom systems, free and forced vibrations, periodic and non-periodic forcing functions, mass/stiffness matrices, Lagrange’s equations, and modal analysis. Continuous systems (string, rod, and beam vibrations). Design considerations and experimental testing methods. Prerequisite: junior standing.
MEGR 435 Dynamic Systems - 5 credit hours
Modeling of mechanical, thermal, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical linear and non-linear systems. Introduction to computer modeling and simulation using existing symbolic computer programs. Laplace transforms, stability criteria, and frequency response. Four lectures and one laboratory per week. Prerequisite: ECEGR 315 and MEGR 281. Pre or co-requisite: MEGR 324. (fall)
MEGR 438 Control Systems - 4 credit hours
Feedback control system analysis. Proportional, integral and derivative control. Control system design, compensation. Root locus, Nyquist and Bode plots. Analog and digital simulation. Prerequisite: MEGR 435. (winter)
MEGR 451 Mechanics of Composite Materials - 3 credit hours
Introduction, basic concepts, fabrication methods, stress and strain analysis of fiber-reinforced composite materials. Elastic behavior of unidirectional lamina, lamination theory, effects of temperature and moisture, stress and failure analysis of laminates, composite structural design, and experimental characterization. Prerequisite: junior standing.
MEGR 471 Kinematics and Dynamics of Machinery - 3 credit hours
Analysis and synthesis of mechanisms based on combinations of linkages and cams. Considers geometry of motion, velocity and acceleration profiles, and associated forces. Uses manual analytical and graphical methods as well as more advanced computer methods. Prerequisite: MEGR 230.
MEGR 487 Engineering Design I - 3 credit hours
MEGR 488 Engineering Design II - 4 credit hours
MEGR 489 Engineering Design III - 3 credit hours
Group design project focusing on the integrative aspects of engineering subject matter. The project focuses on: (1) philosophy of design, a creative approach, and a comprehensive design project; planning, organizing and leading an engineering project; exercising judgment and considering economic factors; and (2) integrated aspects of creative design and analysis; case studies; design of a novel device or system. Format consists of classroom lectures and individual design team meetings each week. The three courses must be taken as a continuous sequence. Fulfills the senior synthesis core requirement. Prerequisite: department permission. (487, fall; 488, winter; 489, spring)
MEGR 491-492 Special Topics - 1-5 credit hours
MEGR 496 Independent Study - 1-5 credit hours
MEGR 497 Directed Reading - 1-5 credit hours
MEGR 498 Directed Research - 1-5 credit hours
MEGR 499 Undergraduate Research - 1-5
Analytical, numerical, or laboratory investigation of a research problem in mechanical engineering under the supervision of a mechanical engineering department faculty member. Graded CR/F. Prerequisite: junior standing.