Academic Course Descriptions
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References to the timing of course offerings which follow
apply only to day courses. Evening and summer school course offerings
are scheduled according to need. Christian Brothers University reserves
the right to cancel classes at any time due to insufficient enrollment.
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING COURSES
ME 103. INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING DESIGN
Engineering profession. Problem solving. Engineering design process.
Statistics. Representation and manipulation of technical information.
Computational design tools. Engineering science concepts. Human factors
and economic considerations. Design cases and one design project are
required. Student creativity and written communication skills are emphasized.
Offered in the Fall and Spring. One semester; two credits
ME 112. SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMMING
This course covers fundamental programming techniques used to solve
engineering problems that require repetitive or iterative calculations.
Emphasis is placed on writing structured, portable, efficient, and understandable
Fortran programs. Also covered: interfacing Fortran codes with other
languages and high-level applications, syntax for other computer languages.
Corequisite: MATH 131. Offered in the Spring semester. One semester;
three credits
ME 121. SOLIDS MODELING (Formerly ME
111)
Emphasis on visual aspects of engineering communications, expression
of ideas, developing spatial concepts as related to design. Design is
taught using 3-D modeling and parametric design. CAD applications. Offered
in the Fall and Spring. One semester; three credits
ME 200. MECHANICS OF SOLIDS
Principles of statics, equilibrium of coplanar and non-coplanar force
systems. Axial load, shear and bending moment diagrams. Differential
equations of beams. Study of stresses due to axial, bending and torsional
loads and combined loading. Mohr’s circle of stress. Design techniques.
Column design equations. Prerequisite: PHYS 150. One semester; three
credits
ME 201. MANUFACTURING PROCESSES
Production of common engineering materials. Heat treatment theory and
processes. Study of machining, casting, metal forming, fabrication of
plastics, ceramics, composites, welding, inspection, material testing,
automation. Plant tours. Reports. Demonstrations. Two lectures and one
three-hour lab each week. Prerequisite: ME 121. Offered in the Fall
semester. One semester; three credits
ME 202. DYNAMICS
Kinematics and kinetics of particles and rigid bodies in two dimensions.
Force-mass-acceleration, work-energy, and impulse-momentum methods will
be covered. Prerequisites: ME 200 or CE 201. Offered in the Fall and
Spring. One semester; three credits
ME 301. ENGINEERING INSTRUMENTATION LABORATORY
A laboratory course designed to instruct the student in the theory and
use of various engineering instruments and transducers. Emphasis is
placed on appropriate error analysis in the reduction, analysis, and
reporting of data. Technical report preparation is emphasized. Two lecture
periods and one laboratory period of three hours. (Same as ECE 201)
Prerequisite or corequisite: ECE 221. Offered in the Fall semester.
One semester; two credits
ME 302. ENERGY SYSTEMS LABORATORY
Experimental study of basic fluid flow and heat transfer phenomena,
flow-measurements, impulse turbine, centrifugal pump, fluid circuit
systems, electrical analogies, basic heat conduction experiments, free
and forced convention, thermal radiation, temperature measurements,
subsonic wind tunnel model studies, lift and drag measurements. Technical
report preparation and presentation is emphasized. One laboratory period
of three hours and lecture. Prerequisites: ME 301, 313. Corequisite:
ME 306. Offered in the Spring semester. One semester; two credits
ME 305. ENGINEERING THERMODYNAMICS I
Fundamental laws and basic development of the classical macroscopic
approach to thermodynamics. First and second laws, state relations,
cycles. Applications to engineering systems. Prerequisites: MATH 132
and PHYS 150. Offered in the Fall and Spring. One semester; three credits
ME 306. HEAT TRANSFER
An introductory treatment of conduction, convection, and radiation heat
transfer. Analysis of steady and unsteady heat conduction in simple
geometries, boundary layer analysis and empirical correlations for convection,
and basic theory of radiation heat transfer. Prerequisite: ME 313. Prerequisite
or corequisite: MATH 329. Offered in the Spring semester. One semester;
three credits
ME 312. MECHANICS OF DEFORMABLE SOLIDS
Axial load, shear, and bending moment diagrams. Differential equations
of beams. Study of stresses due to axial, bending, and torsional loads
and combined loading. Mohr’s circle of stress. Design techniques.
Column design equations. Prerequisite: CE 201. Offered in the Spring
semester. One semester; three credits.
ME 313. FLUID MECHANICS
Mechanical and thermodynamic properties of fluids. Theory of
fluid statics. Conservation laws in integral and differential form.
Dimensional analysis and dimensionless groups. Dynamics of frictionless
incompressible flow. Modified Bernoulli equation. Flow of viscous fluids.
Pipe flow theory. Empirical formulas and charts. Introduction to boundary
layer theory, turbulence, one-dimensional steady compressible flow,
and open channel flow. Prerequisites: MATH 232 and ME 202, 305. Offered
in the Fall semester. One semester; three credits
ME 314. ENGINEERING ECONOMY (Formerly
ME 314 Engineering Factors in Design)
Fundamentals of engineering economy. Cost concepts. Time value of money
and equivalence. Economic analysis of alternatives. Replacement analysis.
Depreciation and after-tax analysis. Effects of inflation on economic
analysis. (Same as CH E 314, ECE 314, CE 314) One semester; three credits
ME 316. ENGINEERING THERMODYNAMICS II
Concepts of reversibility, irreversibility, and availability. Power
and refrigeration systems. First Law analysis of gas-vapor mixtures.
Introduction to psychrometry. Thermochemical reactions including combustion
processes, fuel properties, and equilibrium composition. Prerequisite
ME 305. Offered in the Fall semester. One semester; three credits
ME 317. KINEMATICS
A study of relative motion and geometry of machine parts and mechanisms
without reference to force or mass. Graphical and analytical solutions
for the displacement, velocity, and acceleration of planar mechanisms.
General case of acceleration including Coriolis component. Computer
programming and numerical techniques applied to velocity and acceleration
analysis of cycles. Prerequisites: ME 121, 202. Offered in the Fall
semester. One semester; three credits
ME 318. DYNAMICS OF MACHINES
The dynamic analysis of machine parts by use of the principles of linear
and angular momentum and the work-energy relationships. Graphical and
analytical methods. Analysis and balancing of shaking forces in machines,
flywheel analysis, basic gear analysis, gyroscopic forces in machines.
Three lectures each week. Prerequisite: ME 317. Offered in the Spring
semester. One semester; three credits
ME 319. PRINCIPLES OF PACKAGING
Overview of the historical development of packaging, the system of packaging
science, along with information about economic importance, social implications
and packaging as a profession. Study of the functions of packaging materials.
Study of the functions of packaging materials, container types, processes,
technology and equipment employed to protect goods during handling,
shipping and storage. Introduction of package development process, packaging
testing and evaluation methods, standards, and equipment. Brief review
of governmental regulations affecting packaging. (Same as CH E 319)
Prerequisites: MATH 131 and CHEM 114 or 115. One semester; three credits.
ME 320 DISTRIBUTION PACKAGING
Overview of the physical distribution systems, various distribution
hazards imposed to products/packages in transit, rules and regulations
governing the distribution packaging, common industry guidelines and
practices on distribution packaging. Study the package design process,
protective packaging theories and applications, selection and design
distribution packaging, other distribution packaging related materials
and applications. Introduction to package testing and evaluation methods,
standards, and equipment/systems. (Same as CH E 320) Prerequisite: CH
E 319. One semester; three credits.
ME 400. THE COMPLEAT ENGINEER (Same as
ECE 400 and CE 400)
This course deals with a wide array of issues facing the practicing
engineer. Topics include: engineering ethics; regulatory issues; health,
safety, and environmental factors; reliability, maintainability, produciblity,
sustainability; and the context of engineering in the enterprise, in
society, and as part of the global economy. Prerequisite: Permission
of the department. One semester; three credits
ME 401. MECHANICAL SYSTEMS LABORATORY
Laboratory experiments are performed in stress analysis and experimental
mechanics on a project team basis. Emphasis is placed on experimental
technique, data analysis and report preparation and presentation. Each
student also prepares a state of the art report on a topic selected
by the department faculty. Prerequisite: ME 301. Corequisite: ME 420.
Offered in the Fall semester. One semester; two credits
ME 407-408. MECHANICAL ENGINEERING PROJECT
Industry sponsored projects are initiated early in the first semester
of the student’s senior year and are completed and formally presented
in a report (written and oral) to the sponsor, faculty and students
in the following semester. Prerequisite: Permission of the department.
Taken in sequence in the Fall and Spring. Two semesters; six credits
ME 416. THERMAL ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
Refrigeration, vapor compression and absorption. Psychrometrics, basic
air-conditioning processes, physiological effects, heat load calculations.
Air conditioning system design will be emphasized. Three lectures each
week. Prerequisites: ME 306, 316. One semester; three credits
ME 419. MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS
Fundamentals of vibration theory applied to mechanical systems. Un-damped
and damped, single and multiple degree of freedom, vibrating systems.
Steady state analysis of free and forced vibrations; critical speeds
and balancing, vibration isolation, instrumentation.Three lectures each
week. Prerequisites: ME 202 and MATH 231. One semester; three credits
ME 420. MACHINE DESIGN
An integrated treatment of the design of mechanical systems combining
static and dynamic load analysis, stress analysis, material selection,
and failure analysis. Includes many advanced topics in stress analysis.
Three lectures each week. Prerequisites: ME 201, 318. Corequisite: ME
401. Offered in the Fall semester. One semester; three credits
ME 421. THERMAL SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN
An integrated treatment of the analysis and design of thermal systems.
Primarily concerned with industrial thermal processes, cycles and associated
equipment. Prerequisite: ME 306. Offered in the Fall semester. One semester;
three credits
ME 422. CONTROL SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
Analysis and design of linear control systems. Transfer functions, block
diagrams, and state-variable representation. Feedback concepts and stability
analysis in both the frequency and time domain. Design by Root locus,
Bode plots, and State variable methods. Emphasis on use of computational
software for complex cases. (Same as ECE 322 Linear Control Systems)
Prerequisites: MATH 231 and ME 202. Offered in the Spring semester.
One semester; three credits
ME 424. DESIGN OF MACHINE ELEMENTS
An examination of the processes commonly used in the design of typical
mechanical system components. Exploration of standardized design conventions,
including design codes and handbooks, and the original design of non-standard
components. Case studies and code histories are discussed. Subjects
include: screw threads, mechanical connections, welding, bonded joints,
springs, lubrication, bearings, gears, shafts, clutches and brakes,
couplings, and mechanical drive systems. Two lectures and one discussion
class each week. Prerequisites: ME 401, 420. One semester; three credits
ME 425. DISCRETIZATION METHODS
An introduction to the numerical solution of ordinary and partial differential
equations. The concepts of round-off error, truncation error, consistency
and stability. Solution methods for elliptic, parabolic, and hyperbolic
partial differential equations. Comparisons and contrasts of various
finite-difference, finite-element, and finite-volume methods. Students
will apply various techniques to obtain solutions for mechanical and
energy system problems. A design project is required. Prerequisites:
ECE 112, MATH 232, and ME 200, 313. One semester; three credits
ME 428. MATERIALS SCIENCE
Fundamental concepts of materials science including the structure and
properties of materials. The internal structures of metals, ceramics,
and polymers are examined to develop an understanding of their mechanical,
electrical, physical, and chemical properties. Prerequisites: CHEM 115
and Junior standing. One semester; three credits
ME 429. SELECTION OF MATERIALS.
Importance of materials selection as part of the design process will
be discussed. Fundamental relationships that govern the properties of
materials will be examined and used to optimize the selection of engineering
materials. Materials covered will include metals, plastics, ceramics,
and composites. Prerequiste: ME 200. One semester; three credits
ME 432. PRINCIPLES OF GAS DYNAMICS
Concepts of compressible flow. Steady streamtube flow. Supersonic flow
and shock waves. Prandtl-Meyer flow. Supersonic nozzle and diffuser
flow. Fanno and Rayleigh flow. Unsteady one-dimensional flow. One semester;
three credits
ME 433. PROPULSION SYSTEMS.
Design and operating fundamentals of air-breathing and rocket engines.
Propulsion dynamics. Flow and combustion thermodynamics. Engine system
and component performance characteristics. Advanced propulsion systems.
Prerequisites: ME 313, 316. One semester; three credits
ME 435. INTERMEDIATE MANUFACTURING
Introduction to advanced parametric computer-aided design and manufacturing
(CADM) techniques. Students learn to design parts and assemblies using
tools that enable parametric design. A design project is carried through
from “blank screen” to production of computer numerical
control (CNC) code and fabrication. Also provided is an introduction
to structural and thermal analysis tools that are integrated with the
CADM program. An oral report on advanced manufacturing technology is
required. Occasional field trips to local manufacturing facilities.
Prerequisites: ME 201 and Senior standing. One semester; three credits
ME 442. INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
Principles of spark ignition and compression engines. Both two and four-stroke
engines are considered. Fuel combustion, cooling, and turbocharging
effects. Experimental methods of determining engine performance. Guest
lecturers and plant tours. Prerequisites: ME 306, 316. One semester;
three credits
ME 444. DESIGN OPTIMIZATION
An intermediate design synthesis course with emphasis on strategies
for determining optimum design. Includes optimum design problem formulation,
numerical methods for constrained and unconstrained optimization, heuristic
procedures, algorithmic strategies, thermal and mechanical systems applications.
Industrial design cases are studied. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
One semester; three credits
ME 445. CONCURRENT DESIGN
An advanced design methods course with emphasis on concurrency of analysis,
design, and manufacturing. Working in teams, students take several mechanical
engineering projects from “blank sheet” to working hardware.
Aggressive schedules highlight the inadequacy of traditional sequential
design methods; extensive use of computer aided design and manufacturing
(CADM) technology allows realistic training in modern product design
practice. Two lectures and one three-hour team activity each week. Prerequisites:
ME 435, Junior standing and Permission of instructor. One semester;
three credits
ME 446. DESIGN OF MECHANISMS
A fundamental design course with emphasis on graphical and analytical
mechanism synthesis techniques for path generation, function generation,
and rigid body guidance. A design project is required. Prerequisite
or corequisite: ME 420. One semester; three credits
ME 448. ROBOTICS
An intermediate level treatment of the multifaceted nature of robotics.
Overview of robotic components and subsystems. Autonomous robots; industrial
robots. Kinematics, statics, and dynamics of manipulators; trajectory
planning and control; sensors for unstructured environments; hierarchical
control; machine vision based control; applications. One design and
testing project is required. Prerequisites: ME 317 and Permission of
the instructor. One semester; three credits
ME 495. INTERNSHIP IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Students majoring in mechanical engineering may be placed in the engineering
offices of contracted firms to receive job training under the supervision
of qualified engineers. Tasks completed as part of the internship must
be approved by an authorized work supervisor. Credit is granted upon
faculty approval of periodic review reports and a final summary report
describing the work performed. Minimum time 200 hours. Prerequisites:
Junior standing and Permission of the department. Pass/Fail Grading.
One semester; three credits
ME 498. TOPICS IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Lectures, readings, discussions and research on special areas and advancements
in mechanical engineering. Problems or projects of an interdisciplinary
nature are encouraged. A written report may be required. Prerequisites:
Senior standing and Approval of department. One semester; one to three
credits
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